Advanced Command and Staff Course members have successfully delivered key research findings to the Defence Academy’s Integrated Warfare Research Symposium, while exploiting the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The annual symposium marks the culmination of research by course syndicate groups into ‘real-world’ questions set by defence and industry sponsors. This year’s questions were aligned to the following themes:
- deterrence and war fighting
- innovation and Hacking for Ministry of Defence (H4MOD)
- leadership and culture
- recruitment and mobilisation
- AI, and Command and Control (C2)
Under the mentorship of course directing staff, the syndicate groups were given three weeks to develop an understanding of their given theme, while adding value to the knowledge base already surrounding each topic.
Engaging with subject matter experts (SME) from across MOD, partner nations and industry, course members were also encouraged to explore the use of AI to augment their methodology. In a departure from previous years, and in line with current Joint Services Command and Staff College’s AI strategy, this challenged course members to explore the use of large language models in their research findings.
Further to the themed research presentations, course members undertaking Hacking 4 MOD (H4MOD) as part of their MSc Defence Innovation Studies, presented projects that included:
- prioritising reverse engineering of obsolete parts
- training for weapons usage on operations
- smarter C2 solutions for warships
- addressing the human factor to novel weapons
- avoiding multiple sensory seekers
- navigation in contested and extreme environments
- countering mid-range drones at sea
- upscaling RAF targeting for global readiness
- empowering the future submarine command team with advanced insights
Over the two days, presentations were rigorously examined during themed panel discussions with SMEs drawn from defence, industry and academia, with a keynote speech delivered by Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach KG GBE KCB DL.
Speaking after the event, Major General Rowell, Chief Executive and Commandant of the Defence Academy said:
“Through focused, collaborative enquiry, our Advanced Command and Staff Course members have tackled real world challenges aligned to the Strategic Defence Review’s top lines – from strengthening homeland defence and preparing for warfighting, to advance integration across the force and exploring new partnerships with industry.”
He continued:
“Research at the Defence Academy is academically rigorous and operationally relevant. It contributes directly to defence’s transformation and helps others wrestle with challenges and seize opportunities.”
Group Captain Dave Stewart, Director Defence Academy Research Symposium Group said:
“Course members drew on and extended their networks to visit and interview people from across the UK MOD, partner nations, industry and elsewhere, gaining a wealth of knowledge to inform their research. We are very grateful to all who have contributed to giving their time to be interviewed.”
ACSC 28 will culminate at the end of July. This year’s cohort consisted of 260 mid-career, future leaders from across defence, (including the civil service). There were representatives from 50 partner countries.
The 11-month long course represents a unique opportunity for both military and non-military course members to study in an open, enquiring and intellectually challenging environment.