Editor’s note: Special thanks to the US Army’s Mad Scientist initiative, a program of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, for partnering with MWI to make this podcast happen in conjunction with a conference they organized on robotics, AI, and autonomy. Follow Mad Scientist on twitter, @ArmyMadSci, and check out their blog, the Mad Scientist Laboratory.
In this episode of the Modern War Institute podcast, MWI editorial director John Amble speaks to two guests on a range of topics related to the future of war. Lt. Col. Jen Snow is a US Air Force officer currently assigned to SOFWERX and the Donovan Group, USSOCOM J5’s dedicated future studies initiative, and Dr. James Canton is a renowned global futurist and is chairman and CEO of the Institute for Global Futures.
The discussion touched on the increased prevalence on the battlefield of sensors, virtual and blended reality, rapidly developing AI capabilities, and other new technologies. What will war look like under what Dr. Canton calls “exponential convergence”—increasing and converging developments in nano, bio, IT, neuro, and quantum technologies, overlaid with social, cultural, environmental, and economic transformations? How can military forces harness innovations that come less and less frequently from traditional sources and increasingly from communities like hackers, makers, and DIYers with little existing connection to governments and militaries? We explore these questions and more with Maj. Snow and Dr. Canton.
Listen to the full episode below, and don’t forget to subscribe to the MWI Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. While you’re there, we’d love it if you take a moment to give us a rating or leave a review. It’s a great way to help us reach even more listeners interested in the conversations we feature.
Image credit: John F. Williams, US Navy