CANAers Scott Cohick, Principal Operations Research Analyst, Nick Ulmer, Principal Operations Research Analyst, and Walt DeGrange, Senior Director of Analytics, recently attended the Military Operations Research Society (MORS) 2024 Emerging Techniques Forum (ETF) from December 3–5 in Alexandria, Virginia. This year's theme, "Analytical Edge in the Decisive Decade," brought together analytics professionals to discuss military and government operations research innovations. The event emphasized three main topics: the cyber and space domains, AI advancements, and the growing role of graph databases.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The key takeaways from the forum underscored both opportunities and challenges in applying emerging technologies to military and government operations.
Scott Cohick reflected on, “...the challenges of incorporating the powerful AI tools available into military and government efforts,” highlighting the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration and alignment with mission objectives.
“Zero Trust Queries emerged as a fascinating topic,” noted Walt DeGrange, explaining how they enable secure, aggregated, and anonymous data querying, with significant implications for medical research and classified data usage. He also emphasized that, “[i]nteroperability remains a pressing challenge as siloed solutions often fail to fit into broader frameworks.”
Nick Ulmer stressed the urgency of focusing on the Cyber and Space domains, stating, “[t]he fight is already happening in Cyber and Space, and we lack analysts with domain expertise.” Drawing lessons from Ukraine as the first drone war, he highlighted that, “[g]raph databases interrogated by LLMs represent a powerful AI application”, while urging more significant investment in infrastructure and targeted learning to maintain a competitive edge.
Notable Sessions and Speakers
The forum featured several notable sessions and speakers that left a lasting impression. From the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), John Richardson delivered a compelling keynote introducing the DHS AI Corps, a groundbreaking initiative to integrate emerging technologies into the department's operations. Scott Cohick moderated a panel on workforce development, which explored career transitions and underscored the opportunities for analytics professionals to make meaningful contributions to national efforts. The Visco Prize presentations were another highlight as the Columbia University winner showcased innovative game theory applications for deception operations. The runner-up provided an insightful analysis of AI-human interaction from a General AI (AGI) lens, emphasizing the growing importance of understanding advanced AI systems in modern operations.
Insights to Apply
CANAers walked away with plenty of valuable insights from the forum—along with some plans for action:
Scott Cohick shared, “I plan to leverage new contacts to enhance the OBELISK analytical model,” underscoring the value of networking and collaboration.
Walt DeGrange highlighted his interest in emerging technologies: "I’ll dive deeper into Zero Trust Queries and explore their integration into CANA’s projects.”
Meanwhile, Nick Ulmer expressed a renewed focus on critical domains, noting, “I’ll refine my expertise in Cyber and Space domains while expanding my knowledge of LLMs and AI-driven tools.” These takeaways demonstrate how the event’s insights will directly inform and enhance their future projects.
Memorable Moments
The forum was filled with memorable moments that left a lasting impact. The Forum’s Senior Leader Panel offered valuable insights, emphasizing the importance of delivering timely, relevant analysis and maintaining proactive engagement with clients throughout projects. A special highlight was a CANA-hosted dinner, where the team had the opportunity to gather with Rob Cranston, CANA's President and CEO. It was a fantastic chance for CANAers to connect in person, strengthening team bonds while reflecting on the event’s standout moments.
Advice from CANAers
Are you planning to attend next year's MORS Emerging Techniques Forum? Here's some advice! The best way to enhance your experience is to involve yourself by submitting an abstract, presenting a topic, or joining a panel. Stay connected with the professional community to maintain your skills and strengthen your network. As the forum demonstrated, the future of military operations research relies on innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to excellence.
Final Reflections
The 2024 MORS Emerging Techniques Forum showcased the transformative power of analytics, AI, and collaboration in shaping the future of military operations research. With its rich blend of innovative discussions, expert insights, and networking opportunities, the forum proved to be an invaluable experience for attendees. As we look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of the decisive next decade, it’s clear that staying engaged, pushing boundaries, and fostering interdisciplinary connections will be essential. Here’s to building on the momentum from this year’s forum and driving meaningful progress in the years to come!
For more information on MORS Emerging Techniques Forum, please visit: https://www.mors.org/Events/Workshops/Emerging-Techniques-Forum
Walt DeGrange
Walt DeGrange is the Senior Director of Analytics here at CANA. You can contact Walt via email at wdegrange@canallc.com or on Linkedin.
Nick Ulmer
Nick Ulmer is the Principal Operations Research Analyst here at CANA. You can contact Nick via email at nulmer@canallc.com on Linkedin.
Scott Cohick
Scott Cohick is the Principal Operations Research Analyst here at CANA. You can contact Scott via email at scohick@canallc.com on Linkedin.
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