Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly pivotal role in reshaping how the Pentagon attracts, trains, and retains a skilled workforce, according to defense and military technology leaders. The adoption of AI is seen not only as a tool for streamlining operations but also as a key factor in making federal agencies more appealing workplaces.
Katharine Kelley, deputy chief of space operations for personnel at the Space Force, emphasized the importance of modernization in maintaining a competitive edge in recruiting. "If you want to be an employer of choice … especially with the young talent … and you’re not speaking to their ability to do their job easier, faster, better – you’re the problem", Kelley said during the Oracle Federal Forum in Washington. She asserted that by leveraging AI and automation, the federal government can reduce inefficiencies and create a workplace environment that is attractive to top talent.
Kelley added that understanding the unique capabilities and expectations of the emerging workforce is essential. "You have got to understand who the workforce is that’s coming up and what they already understand how to do. And so, for me, it’s more like this is a necessity to make the Space Force an employer of choice and a place that somebody wants to stay and deliver and get value as a person", she explained.
On a separate panel, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Chief Information Officer Adarryl Roberts described AI as nothing short of a "generational change." He noted that the DLA is actively addressing gaps in workforce training, particularly in digital and technical skills. "We’ve neglected and built what I consider talent debt, in the sense that we haven’t trained our civilian workforce like we train our military", Roberts said. He highlighted the military’s consistent technological growth at individual levels, contrasting it with the civilian workforce’s less consistent development, which his agency is now working to improve.
Roberts also addressed common misconceptions about AI, such as fears around workforce reductions. "We’re trying to fight the stereotype of ‘pay [for] all [of] this AI … to lay off 60% of our workforce.’ I don’t have enough people to do the work we have today. And so, we’re looking at AI as a force multiplier. We call it a digital employee", he explained, underscoring that AI is being implemented to enhance efficiency rather than reduce jobs.
Leaders like Kelley and Roberts underscore the necessity of adapting to technological advancements to not only improve operational efficiency but also to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining top-tier talent. The integration of AI and automation into workforce processes represents a critical shift in how the Pentagon and its associated agencies prepare for the future of defense operations.
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