Beyond Human Speed: Applied AI For Combat Advantage

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM PT

Location: Defense in Depth Stage - Hall A

Confirmed Moderator(s)

Randy Pugh

Vice Provost Warfare Studies
Naval Postgraduate School

Confirmed Speaker(s)

Capt. Christopher Clark, USMC

AI Lead
Service Data Office, Deputy Commandant for Information
Edwin Grohe

Technical Director
Technical Director, Naval Information Warfighting Development Center
Mauro Sanchirico

AI Subject Matter Expert
Lockheed Martin
Maj Christopher Teska, USMC

Doctoral Student
Naval Postgraduate School
Stuart Wagner

Chief Data and AI Officer
Department of the Navy, CIO

Achieving decisive advantage in future AI-enabled battlespace depends on sensing, analysis, weapon systems and command-and-control that operates faster than any adversary as a human-machine team. AI technology and talent must advance together while constantly shrinking the development-to-deployment cycle. This panel explores Fleet needs in AI from tools to tactics to tail; and how the Navy can achieve combat advantage “beyond human speed” by rapidly developing applied AI capabilities with leaders educated to understand, employ, and accelerate adoption at greater speed and scale.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participant will be able to better understand how AI applications can impact the full continuum of force development.
Upon completion, participant will be able to better understand how AI applications will impact concepts of operations.
Upon completion, participant will be able to better understand how AI applications will impact concepts of employment.