Date:  September 6, 2023
Time:  1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern Time
CLPS: 1.5

Series Description:

Episode Description:

To effectively pioneer test and evaluation (T&E) of weapon systems built to change over time, the T&E enterprise needs to implement fluid and iterative T&E across the entire system lifecycle to help assure continued combat credibility as the system evolves to meet warfighter needs. Iterative T&E across the system lifecycle necessitates the increased use of credible digital twins in T&E. The combination of new domains and operational constraints makes verified, validated, and accredited digital technologies the practical approach for development and T&E of systems. The development of new methods to evaluate the operational performance of software-reliant and artificial intelligence (AI) enabled systems (AIES) is paramount to keep pace with technology while ensuring performance and security. Additionally, testing must demonstrate that AIES are responsible, ethical, equitable, traceable, reliable and governable. This and other best practices will help us keep pace with the rapid and frequent changes we both encourage and expect, such that we can test them safely with minimal disruption to warfighting units.

Speakers:

Nilo Thomas, Software and Cyber Advisor, Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E)

Mr. Nilo Thomas currently works as the DOT&E’s Software and Cyber Advisor, managing the diverse portfolio of DOT&E software and cyber initiatives on behalf of operational test and evaluation, since December 2021. Before then, he worked for the Air Force’s 47th Cyberspace Test Squadron for 8 years, where he was a test manager leading the largest test programs in the test squadron, Unified Platform and Joint Cyber Command and Control, the DoD’s premier cyberspace weapon systems. Nilo graduated from New Mexico State University in 2013 with a BS in Aerospace Engineering. 

Dr. Kristen Alexander, Chief Learning and Artificial Intelligence Officer in Strategic Initiatives, Policy, and Emerging Technologies, Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E)

Dr. Kristen Alexander has served as the Chief Learning and Artificial Intelligence Officer in Strategic Initiatives, Policy, and Emerging Technologies, Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) since January 2023.

From 2015 – 2022, Dr. Alexander served as the Technical Advisor for the Deputy DOT&E for Land & Expeditionary Warfare where she provided technical and analytical advice for test design, evaluation, and reporting on over 50 Army and Marine Corps programs.

Dr. Alexander has been involved with operational test and evaluation since 1999, when as a research staff member at the Institute for Defense Analyses. She grew up in New York and earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester. She earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Alexander is the recipient of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. She resides in Falls Church City, Virginia with her husband and four children.

Host:

Tim Leake, Professor of Test and Evaluation, DAU