TL;DR:
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) hosted the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Innovation Challenge at Dahlgren, bringing together ten prestigious university teams.
- The challenge aimed to develop AI/ML algorithms for automated scheduling and coordination of advanced weapon systems, fostering creativity and collaboration among the students.
- The event featured intense competition, real-world scenarios, and the utilization of JCORE, the Navy’s “serious” video game.
- Carnegie Mellon emerged as the winners, followed by Virginia Tech and William and Mary.
- The challenge provided valuable academic engagement, expanded knowledge, and offered internship opportunities.
- The event showcases the potential of AI and ML in solving complex naval challenges and signifies the growing importance of these technologies in the market.
Main AI News:
The realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) witnessed a remarkable display of excitement, innovation, and boundless possibilities as ten prestigious university teams convened at the University of Mary Washington (UMW), Dahlgren Campus. This historic occasion marked the inception of the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Innovation Challenge at Dahlgren, where these talented students fervently vied for recognition and a coveted position atop the leaderboard.
Graciously hosting this prestigious event, the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) welcomed teams hailing from esteemed institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Christopher Newport University, Cornell University, Virginia Tech, Tarleton State University, Virginia State University, University of Virginia, William and Mary, and the University of Mary Washington. The stakes were high, with a grand total of $100,000 in cash prizes enticing the participants.
Behind the scenes, the Joint Cognitive Operational Research Environment (JCORE) team from NSWCDD meticulously crafted and curated the challenges that lay ahead for the students. These challenges comprised three distinct scenarios, each presenting an array of ships and threatening circumstances, effectively testing the students’ decision-making prowess.
“Each passing day witnessed an escalation in the complexity of the challenges, designed to push the boundaries of the student’s knowledge and critical thinking,” revealed NSWCDD engineer Brett Burcher. “The problems presented to these aspiring minds simulated real-world issues that our brave Sailors confront today, challenges that extend beyond the confines of their classrooms.”
Over the course of three intense days, the focus remained unwavering on nurturing, challenging, and fostering the development of AI/ML algorithms for automating the scheduling and coordination of simulated directed energy, hypervelocity projectiles, and other advanced weapon systems. This unique challenge acted as a catalyst, propelling universities to converge and unleash the full force of their collective creativity.
The prize challenge provided an unparalleled opportunity to validate novel and advanced AI/ML algorithms through extensive modeling, simulation, and wargaming. It served as an avenue for expanding the students’ expertise in the design and development of AI/ML algorithms, engagement coordination, and integration of both hard and soft kill weapon systems.
Additionally, the participating teams were granted exclusive access to collaborate with JCORE, the Navy’s in-house “serious” video game. This groundbreaking software facilitated a medium-fidelity simulation of fleet-level exercises, bridging the divide between traditional tabletop wargaming and highly sophisticated modeling and simulation. Its repeatable, faster-than-real-time solution offered an invaluable asset to the students’ journey of exploration.
“The opportunity to partner with ten esteemed colleges and universities perfectly aligned with our aspirations,” remarked NSWCDD Technical Director Dale Sisson, Jr., SES. “Observing this talented group wholeheartedly focused on our mission and tackling our challenges is profoundly encouraging for both our nation and our esteemed Navy.”
This momentous event not only broadened the horizons of the participating students but also catered to the Navy’s pressing need for automated engagement of weapons, expertly paired with effective threat identification, to safeguard naval assets and triumph over imminent dangers. It served as a remarkable platform for NSWCDD to expand its academic outreach and collaboration.
“We were astounded by the innovative approaches these students adopted while tackling the artificial intelligence innovation challenge,” expressed NSWCDD Chief Technology Officer Jennifer Clift. “While they had the privilege to learn from some of the Navy’s foremost scientists and engineers, we, in turn, derived invaluable insights from their fresh perspectives.”
The mission of the first day revolved around survivability – the students encountered a grueling test in safeguarding their ships during a high-intensity raid scenario. In the subsequent days, the teams were faced with the daunting task of overcoming a depleted missile inventory. As the stakes grew higher, the focus shifted toward the process of elimination, defense strategies, and the paramount task of prioritizing the fleet’s safety.
“It was an exhilarating experience to witness the next generation of data scientists actively contributing to the design of the Navy’s future,” enthused Dr. George Foster, the Distinguished Engineer for Combat Control.
Among the participants, Virginia Tech’s team stood united, their cohesion and synergy evident. “We naturally gravitated towards each other, collaborating and forming a cohesive unit even before the competition commenced,” shared senior Danielle Reale. “Since it is our senior year, we decided to embark on this journey together, transforming the experience into an unforgettable trip while pushing the boundaries of our capabilities.“
Beyond the intense competition, this challenge served as a remarkable opportunity for teams to connect and forge valuable networks, fostering an atmosphere of mutual support and camaraderie among the participants.
“The ability to connect with fellow students in this setting has been truly gratifying,” expressed Reale. “We swiftly realized that despite being rivals, we were still united in our pursuit of a common goal – providing NSWCDD with a cutting-edge algorithm they can leverage.”
Kelsey Shearon, a proud member of Christopher Newport University, joyfully shared her experience, exclaiming, “It was an incredibly fun and rewarding experience! I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to compete here, and given the chance, I would gladly do it all over again.”
Emerging victorious, Carnegie Mellon’s exceptional team claimed the first-place honor, securing a staggering $50,000. Virginia Tech’s commendable performance earned them a well-deserved second place, accompanied by a prize of $30,000, while William and Mary clinched third place, proudly carrying home $20,000.
“While the allure of the prize money was undeniable, our primary focus remained on delivering a stellar performance and the knowledge we stood to gain. The prize money served as an incredible bonus,” expressed Joseph Lee, a dedicated student representing William and Mary. “Call it peculiar, but this challenge felt like the ultimate vacation, as it allowed us to focus wholeheartedly on our true passion.“
Apart from the substantial monetary rewards, this exceptional event also granted one fortunate student an on-the-spot internship offer from NSWCDD. Following rigorous onsite interviews and eye-opening tours, the division eagerly anticipates extending additional offers to exceptional talents.
“This innovation prize challenge far exceeded my expectations,” beamed Clift. “I was genuinely impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication displayed by the participating students, their unwavering commitment to competition and learning. With such brilliant minds shaping our future, we have every reason to be optimistic!“
Conclusion:
The inaugural AI and ML Innovation Challenge at Dahlgren, organized by NSWCDD, demonstrates the remarkable capabilities and collaborative potential of AI and ML technologies in addressing real-world naval challenges. The competition not only showcased the talents of the participating university teams but also emphasized the growing significance of AI and ML in the market. The event served as a catalyst for innovation and academic engagement while providing insights into the future of naval warfare.
