How to Trust AI on the Battlefield

How to Trust AI on the Battlefield

Author: Association of Old Crows October 8, 2025 Duration: 37:47

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller unpacks one of the key challenges with using  artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in combat: How can human agents trust AI in a live, complex military operation?


Jeff Druce, Senior Scientist, Human-Centered AI at  Charles River Analytics, is at the heart of trying to answer this question. Jeff says that neural networks are inherently opaque; a system can perform millions of computations in seconds with a user being in the dark of how a system arrived at a certain recommendation or action. He tells Ken that their RELAX (Reinforcement Learning with Adaptive Explainability) research effort aims to add ways that AI systems can explain their decision making to human operators. 


Jeff says that efforts to improve transparency and trust in these AI tools are key, arguing bottlenecks for AI use soon may not be from the technology plateauing but operators being unprepared and ill-equipped to effectively use this technology.


To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.


Tune into From the Crows' Nest for a direct line to the complex and critical world of electromagnetic spectrum operations. Produced by the Association of Old Crows, this podcast moves beyond the headlines to explore the real-world implications of EMSO on global security and technology. Each episode features candid conversations with experts, offering nuanced analysis and grounded discussions that connect policy to practice. You’ll hear timely breakdowns of how current events, legislative actions on Capitol Hill, and the annual defense budget shape capabilities and strategy. The dialogue extends to military developments from the United States and allied nations, providing a comprehensive view of the landscape. This series also serves as an audio companion to the broader Old Crow community, offering insights into key events and fostering a deeper understanding of the policy debates that define the field. For anyone engaged in or curious about the intersection of government, defense technology, and the invisible domain of the spectrum, this podcast delivers essential context and perspective straight from the source.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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