SOSi and Google Public Sector Host Tech Talk on Mission-Ready AI
SOSi and Google Public Sector recently partnered to host an AFCEA Hawaiʻi Tech Talk, Mission-Ready AI: Delivering Decision Advantage in Contested Environments, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The event brought together military leaders, government stakeholders and industry innovators to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be operationalized at the tactical edge across the Pacific.
SOSi and Google Public Sector centered the discussion on transforming AI from a promising technology into a capability that can support operations in contested, disconnected and bandwidth-constrained environments. Col. Michael "Toby" Hlad, USMC, commander, Defense Information Systems Agency Pacific, set the stage by emphasizing the importance of resilient networks, which have evolved from a support function into a core component of modern warfighting. He outlined three priorities for industry: deliver solutions that remain operational even when disconnected, move critical infrastructure forward and ensure systems can support secure collaboration at speed across joint and coalition forces.
Government and industry panelists discussed how AI, cloud technologies and data can enable faster and more effective decision-making in complex environments. A recurring theme was the urgency of fielding technologies that work in real-world conditions today, rather than relying on solutions dependent on continuous connectivity or centralized infrastructure. The conversations reinforced that accelerating capability delivery is a shared responsibility between government and industry. Panelists emphasized the value of open, interoperable systems and the importance of balancing innovation, security and mission requirements.
In addition to panel discussions, attendees experienced these concepts firsthand through interactive Mission Engineering Cells and hands-on technology demonstrations. At each station, visitors had an opportunity to explore a different aspect of AI, from building a functional AI agent in minutes and distilling it into a version small enough to run from relocatable, forward-deployed infrastructure, to examining how secure, sovereign AI systems can remain operational and rapidly adapt to emerging threats even when disconnected from the cloud.
Through open discussion and hands-on demonstrations, the chapter, SOSi, and Google Public Sector fostered meaningful dialogue on the technologies, partnerships and approaches needed to deliver mission-ready AI solutions to the tactical edge. Throughout the event, military and industry leaders repeatedly returned to the same conclusion: success will require open systems, resilient architectures and commitment from both government and industry to move faster together.
SOSi and Google Public Sector centered the discussion on transforming AI from a promising technology into a capability that can support operations in contested, disconnected and bandwidth-constrained environments. Col. Michael "Toby" Hlad, USMC, commander, Defense Information Systems Agency Pacific, set the stage by emphasizing the importance of resilient networks, which have evolved from a support function into a core component of modern warfighting. He outlined three priorities for industry: deliver solutions that remain operational even when disconnected, move critical infrastructure forward and ensure systems can support secure collaboration at speed across joint and coalition forces.
Government and industry panelists discussed how AI, cloud technologies and data can enable faster and more effective decision-making in complex environments. A recurring theme was the urgency of fielding technologies that work in real-world conditions today, rather than relying on solutions dependent on continuous connectivity or centralized infrastructure. The conversations reinforced that accelerating capability delivery is a shared responsibility between government and industry. Panelists emphasized the value of open, interoperable systems and the importance of balancing innovation, security and mission requirements.
In addition to panel discussions, attendees experienced these concepts firsthand through interactive Mission Engineering Cells and hands-on technology demonstrations. At each station, visitors had an opportunity to explore a different aspect of AI, from building a functional AI agent in minutes and distilling it into a version small enough to run from relocatable, forward-deployed infrastructure, to examining how secure, sovereign AI systems can remain operational and rapidly adapt to emerging threats even when disconnected from the cloud.
Through open discussion and hands-on demonstrations, the chapter, SOSi, and Google Public Sector fostered meaningful dialogue on the technologies, partnerships and approaches needed to deliver mission-ready AI solutions to the tactical edge. Throughout the event, military and industry leaders repeatedly returned to the same conclusion: success will require open systems, resilient architectures and commitment from both government and industry to move faster together.