Artificial Intelligence Task Force Welcomes Inaugural Class of AI Scholars

By Army Futures CommandJuly 14, 2020

PITTSBURGH, Pa – The Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University virtually welcomed the inaugural class of Army AI Scholars.

A group of 20 Army officers and 5 Army civilians will begin a two-year master’s program on August 31, 2020 specializing in data science or data engineering.

The establishment of the AI Professional Scholars Program for advanced degrees will provide the force with a cadre of organic professional-level developers.

The program is a collaborative experience for the students between academia, industry and Army labs. Graduates of the program will become the work force to harness the data in support of the Army’s modernization programs.

Brig. Gen. Matthew Easley, the director of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force, emphasized the significance of this new start during his remarks. “We must recruit and mentor exceptional talent who will lead the way in using AI to harness data, making our warfighting and business systems faster, more effective and less expensive.”

Carnegie Mellon’s Vice President for Research, J. Michael McQuade added, “The university is very pleased to welcome these talented Army personnel to our community, where we will align our strength as a leader in AI education and research with the Army’s modernization efforts and application domains to advance our national defense and security.”

About the Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force

The AI Task Force was established under the Army Futures Command to better connect with the broader AI community and focus their efforts in this dynamic field. The AI Task Force’s AI Hub is a network of partner universities and potential industry partners. The goal of the AI Hub is to facilitate the development of AI requirements and concepts for the Army, building upon its initial signature projects and the vibrant robotics and AI centers in Pittsburgh, PA and Austin, Texas.

For additional information, contact Army Futures Command Communications at AFCmedia@mail.mil.