The U.S. Space Force has released its fiscal year 2025 strategic action plan that provides a roadmap for how the military branch could leverage data and artificial intelligence to support the Department of Defense’s mission to deter war and defeat adversaries.
“As the world’s first digital service, the United States Space Force recognizes the critical role that data and artificial intelligence will play in maintaining space superiority,” Col. Nathan Iven, acting deputy chief of space operations for cyber and data, said in a statement published Wednesday.
“Data and AI are critical for a warfighting service that is purpose-built for space superiority. This plan charts a course to foster data literacy, equip our Guardians with cutting-edge technologies, and drive innovation,” Iven added.
4 Lines of Effort
The action plan aligns with defense and national priorities and outlines four key lines of effort that will enable the Space Force to ensure the security of U.S. interests in space.
The lines of effort are maturing enterprisewide data and AI governance; advancing a data-driven and AI-enabled culture; rapidly adopting data, advanced analytics and AI technologies; and strengthening government, academic, industry and international partnerships.
Maturing Enterprisewide Data, AI Governance
To mature enterprisewide data and AI governance, objectives include establishing and sustaining a governance program to evolve policies, structures and procedures; developing policies, standards and guidance; and ensuring investments are based on strategic priorities.
Specific activities, for instance, include appointing data and AI officers to manage data and AI initiatives at the field command level and establishing policy and guidance for the Space Force’s digital infrastructure and data storage to enable servicewide IT integration with commercial space solutions.
The document also calls for the service to assess its data and AI maturity to identify gaps, evaluate current capabilities and create a roadmap for improvement.
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