In this episode of RadioStockdale, host Michael Sears recounts his transformative journey from the Naval Academy to the Marine Corps, civilian life, and back to the Yard at the Stockdale Center. He highlights the enduring lessons of integrity, leadership, and ethical decision-making learned throughout his career. Through personal reflections and professional insights, he emphasizes the importance of character development and mentorship in shaping the next generation of leaders. In retirement, he is still reachable via email at michael@searsgroup.net.

Michael Sears was the Director of Leadership Innovation at the Boeing Leadership Innovation Laboratory, Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the U.S. Naval Academy. He spent 30 years in Silicon Valley's technology sector. Rising from various roles in both large corporations and startups, he eventually became a CEO and founded an Internet media company. Sears holds three U.S. patents for his innovative work and spent a decade as a Venture Capitalist. Prior to his tech career, he served as a Marine Officer, specializing in intelligence and reconnaissance. Sears holds a Bachelor's degree from the United States Naval Academy and an MBA and JD degree from Stanford University. His diverse background spans military service, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the tech industry.

Our guest is the Commandant of Midshipman, Col James Mcdonough, USMC. We discuss how the principles of character and resilience influenced the evolution of his leadership style, from Midshipman to Marine Colonel. We go on to talk about the changing landscape of technology in modern warfare, the evolving role of women in leadership positions, and the increasing emphasis on mental health at the Academy and in the military. We conclude with some final words from Col Mcdonough, looking towards the future, and how he envisions what his legacy will be at the Naval Academy.

Colonel “J.P.” McDonough is the 89th Commandant of Midshipmen at the US Naval Academy. He is a career artillery officer and has held operational assignments in every level of command including Commander, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He has numerous deployments under his belt in the War on Terror as commanding officer of artillery units, and embedded training with the Afghan National Army. Besides Staff and Joint tours, he served as a modeling and simulation analyst for multiple simulation programs at the USMC Training and Education Command.

Colonel McDonough graduated from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering in 1994. He earned a master’s degree in virtual environments, modeling and simulation from the Naval Postgraduate School, and graduated with distinction from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at National Defense University.

How does the Naval Academy balance the potential educational benefits of generative AI with the need to maintain educational integrity and the development of critical thinking skills in Midshipmen? Given the nuanced approach to AI in classroom settings, what challenges have you faced in implementing and enforcing policies on the use of generative AI, and how have these been addressed? How has the introduction of generative AI impacted the pedagogical approaches within the Academy, especially concerning the emphasis on the writing process over the final product? Finally, with generative AI technologies evolving rapidly, what future plans does the Naval Academy have to continuously adapt its educational strategies to ensure that Midshipmen remain competitive and ethically grounded leaders in the age of AI?

Doctor Samara Firebaugh is the Academic Dean and Provost at the United States Naval Academy. In that role, she is responsible for the entire academic program for the 4,400-member Brigade of Midshipmen, oversees nearly 600 faculty members, and serves as the primary source of information and advice for the Superintendent regarding the education of midshipmen. 

Professor Firebaugh graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1995.  She received her Masters and PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1997 and 2001, respectively, both also in Electrical Engineering. Dr. Firebaugh’s area of scholarship is microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and particularly in integrated sensors and micro robotics. She is the 2014 recipient of the Class of 1951 Civilian Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the 2012 recipient of the Raouf Award for Excellence in Engineering Teaching. 

How might the philosophies of the classical Greeks apply to today's AI technologies? Does the concept of a virtuous life translate into the development and use of artificial intelligence? Given their belief in the value of seeking knowledge as a pathway to virtue, how might this principle apply to the creation of AI systems that learn and evolve? Plato introduces the four cardinal virtues of wisdom, courage, justice and temperance in Book 4 of "The Republic" and Aristotle expands them and explains how to make them practical in "The Nicomachean Ethics. How can these virtues be integrated into the design and operational principles of AI systems to ensure they contribute positively to society? The Greeks faced numerous ethical dilemmas that tested their principles. Can you discuss a modern ethical dilemma in AI that may involve a young Naval Officer's leadership and decision making, and how applying a classical Greek approach to ethics might offer a path to resolving it?  

Dr. Joe Thomas serves as the Director, VADM James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the US Naval Academy.  A retired Marine, he served previously as the Class of 1961 Professor of Leadership Education at USNA and as Director, MajGen John A. Lejeune Leadership Institute at Marine Corps University. In addition, he’s taught at the University of Notre Dame, University of Maryland, George Washington University and the National Outdoor Leadership School. He has published five books on the topics of leadership and ethics, along with numerous articles, book chapters, and research reports.  Joe supported student research that led to the award of Rhodes, Mitchell, and Fulbright scholarships. Joe holds masters’ degrees from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and the US Army War College, a PhD from George Mason University, and a Certificate in Public Leadership from the Brookings Institute.

We are at an inflection point in warfare, just as significant as the introduction of gunpowder or the airplane. The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) is transforming U.S. Joint warfighting and departmental processes through the integration of Artificial Intelligence. Does the JAIC work in the data center, or at the tip of the spear? How does it work with service components, and with civilian tech companies to get the job done? What are the ethical implications of AI in the DOD? What can a junior officer do today, to make sure s\he is ready to use AI assets?

What is the role of AI in modern targeting processes. We explore the delicate balance between human and machine functions, unravel the essence of 'meaningful human control' in AI targeting, and dissect the crucial steps of target development. Delve into how target system analysis enhances our understanding of enemy vulnerabilities and interdependencies. Plus, we examine the ethical dimensions of maintaining human control in an air interdiction mission. This is an insightful discussion on the intersection of technology, strategy, and ethics in warfare.

Mitt Regan, the McDevitt Professor of Jurisprudence at Georgetown University Law Center, excels in international law, national security, human rights, military and legal ethics, and AI ethics. He is the Director of the Center on Ethics and the Legal Profession and Co-Director of the Center on National Security. Additionally, Regan is a Senior Fellow at the U.S. Naval Academy's Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. He's been integral in key projects on national security and ethical leadership. He has authored impactful books on Asymmetric Conflict and National Security Intelligence, including 'Drone Strike,' Professor Regan has served as law clerk to Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. on the U.S. Supreme Court and then-Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Responsible AI Governance involves ongoing monitoring and evaluation of AI systems to identify and address potential risks. This proactive approach helps organizations manage risks related to bias, security, and unintended consequences. But why is RAI Governance important and why does it matter? How can one get started when you want to build RAI Governance control functions and mechanisms in your organization? And what are the best-practices and tips for RAI governance? 

Dr. Ben Lange is a Research Group Lead in the Ethics of AI at the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich and Munich Center for Machine Learning. He holds an Associate Researcher Position at the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics at the University of Oxford and a Visiting Research Fellowship at the Zentrum für Ethik und Philosophie in der Praxis. In the past, he was a Visiting Researcher at Google’s Responsible Innovation team. Ben received his PhD in Moral Philosophy from the University of Oxford. In his capacity as an ethics advisor and as a Senior Advisor at BABLAI, Ben has deep expertise in the whole suite of organizational ethics consulting, including AI ethics and digital ethics, corporate social and digital responsibility (CSR & CDR), and ethics and compliance.

We dive deep into the intricacies and ethical considerations of AI development, specifically focusing on OpenAI's Chat-GPT and GPT-4. Join us as we discuss how OpenAI approached the alignment problem, the impact of Human Aligned Reinforcement Learning, and the role of human raters in shaping Chat-GPT. We'll also revisit past AI mishaps like Microsoft's Tay and explore their influence on current AI models. The episode delves into OpenAI's efforts to address ethical concerns, the debate over universal human values in AI, and the diverse perspectives of users, developers, and society on AI technology. Lastly, we tackle the critical issue of employing workers from the global south for AI alignment, examining the ethical implications and the need for support. Tune in to uncover the complexities and breakthroughs in the evolving world of AI!

Dr. Joel Esposito. He is a Professor in the Robotics and Control Engineering Department at the Naval Academy. He teaches courses in Robotics, Unmanned Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. He is the recipient of the Naval Academy's Rauoff Award for Excellence in Engineering Education, and the 2015 Class of 1951 Faculty Research Excellence Award. He received both a Master of Science, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

We demystify the technology behind Chat GPT and other generative AI like Google's Bard. Starting from the basics, we explore how Chat GPT functions as an app, generating near-human quality responses. We delve into the mechanics of Large Language Models (LLMs) and how they predict text. The episode also covers the massive scale of training data, computing time, and energy consumption involved in creating such models. We then transition into discussing the AI components, addressing complex issues like word embeddings, attention mechanisms, and the challenges of creating versatile, context-aware responses. Finally, we touch upon ethical considerations and the crucial role of Human Aligned Reinforcement Feedback in refining AI outputs, ensuring they are helpful, appropriate, and devoid of harmful content.

Dr. Joel Esposito is a Professor in the Robotics and Control Engineering Department at the Naval Academy. He teaches courses in Robotics, Unmanned Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. He is the recipient of the Naval Academy's Rauoff Award for Excellence in Engineering Education, and the 2015 Class of 1951 Faculty Research Excellence Award. He received both a Master of Science, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Artificial Intelligence enhances deterrence capabilities in various ways, contributing to the overall effectiveness of military strategies and national security. Deterrence aims to dissuade adversaries from taking certain actions by convincing them that the costs or risks outweigh the potential benefits. So, how does AI, particularly machine learning, serve as a force multiplier in the development and application of deterrence? Considering the role of AI in intelligence and military deterrence operations, how do algorithms enhance real-time human-machine interfacing and contribute to the overall deterrent effect against potential threats? And finally, what are some thoughts on the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in deterrence, especially in non-kinetic operations. 

Dr. James Giordano is Pellegrino Center Professor of Neurology and Biochemistry, Chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program, and Chair of the Sub-Program in Military Medical Ethics at Georgetown University Medical Center. He is a Senior Bioethicist of the Department of Defense Medical Ethics Center; Science Advisory Fellow of the Strategic Multilayer Assessment Branch, of the Joint Staff of the Pentagon; a Senior Fellow of the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic, United States Military Academy, West Point, and Distinguished Fellow at the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. He was a designated Naval Aerospace Physiologist, and served with the US Navy and Marine Corps.

When we think of AI, the "elephant in the room" for educators is Plagiarism. This is the third installment from Dr. Jovana Davidovic on AI & Education, this time, addressing Plagiarism. Does the use of AI tools mean plagiarism across the board? What is the connection between Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI, where the machine can write an entire paragraph, a page, or even a book just at one prompt? What are some ways to address GAI, LLM, etc. with regard to plagiarism in education?

Professor Jovana Davidovic (PhD) is an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, and a Senior Fellow here at the Stockdale Center. She also holds an appointment with the College of Laws Center for Human Rights at the University of Iowa, and she is the Chief Ethics Officer at BabelAi, a company that audits and certifies Ai systems. Her research and teaching interests include social and political philosophy, applied ethics, philosophy of law, military ethics, AI and algorithm ethics. Her recent work has focused on AI and algorithm ethics in military settings and algorithm audits.

The comments on this podcast represent the views of Dr. Davidovic, and do not represent USNA's own policies and procedures.

We continue our discussion of AI & Education. Data Analytics can inform a teacher as to the relative quality of a student's work. AI can analyze large volumes of educational data to identify trends and patterns related to student performance and engagement. Educators can use this information to make data-driven decisions, such as identifying struggling students early, implementing interventions, and improving curriculum design. But there are also "downsides" to AI. We discuss bias, opacity, privacy and other issues.

Professor Jovana Davidovic (PhD) is an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, and a Senior Fellow here at the Stockdale Center. She also holds an appointment with the College of Laws Center for Human Rights at the University of Iowa, and she is the Chief Ethics Officer at BabelAi, a company that audits and certifies Ai systems. Her research and teaching interests include social and political philosophy, applied ethics, philosophy of law, military ethics, AI and algorithm ethics. Her recent work has focused on AI and algorithm ethics in military settings and algorithm audits.

We talk about AI in general, and then get specific on several fronts. What does Personalized Learning mean, and how does AI assist in its application? Are intelligent tutoring systems different from personalized learning? Are there ways to fairly integrate automated grading and feedback into a teacher's workflow?

Professor Jovana Davidovic (PhD) is an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, and a Senior Fellow here at the Stockdale Center. She also holds an appointment with the College of Laws Center for Human Rights at the University of Iowa, and she is the Chief Ethics Officer at BabelAi, a company that audits and certifies Ai systems. Her research and teaching interests include social and political philosophy, applied ethics, philosophy of law, military ethics, AI and algorithm ethics. Her recent work has focused on AI and algorithm ethics in military settings and algorithm audits.

We continue our conversation with CAPT Franky, the senior Naval Special Warfare Officer on the Yard. He breaks down the elements of the exercises that lead to Strength, Speed, Stamina and Stoicism. How do the Wisdom workouts help you know your limits? What does Courage have to do with pushing yourself? How can a Temperance workout lead to patience, moderation, and attention to detail? And finally, how does the Justice workout build teamwork and leadership knowledge as you burn calories?

CAPT Frank Franky, USN is the Senior Naval Special Warfare Representative at the USNA. He is also currently serving as the Deputy Director for Ethics at the Stockdale Center. Most recently he served as the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula, responsible for the execution of the full spectrum, multi-domain, joint special operations, actions, and investments on the Arabian Peninsula. He participated in joint combined special operations around the world. He deployed extensively on contingencies and named operations to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kuwait, Somalia, Kenya, Yemen, and the Western Hemisphere (Caribbean, Central and South America). He was recently honored with the title "Knighted Commander of the Government of Columbia".

The Naval Academy's mission begins with the statement: To develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically. On this podcast, we talk about one of the ways we combine all of these aspects of the mission into a single set of events. How does mental toughness contribute to physical toughness? Where do the cardinal virtues inform the manner and type of exercises one can do? And how does Accountability in the Execution, Situational Awareness, Readiness/Safety and Communications inform the mind and body to make you stronger, faster and more resilient?

CAPT Frank Franky, USN is the Senior Naval Special Warfare Representative at the USNA. He is also currently serving as the Deputy Director for Ethics at the Stockdale Center. Most recently he served as the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula, responsible for the execution of the full spectrum, multi-domain, joint special operations, actions, and investments on the Arabian Peninsula. He participated in joint combined special operations around the world. He deployed extensively on contingencies and named operations to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kuwait, Somalia, Kenya, Yemen, and the Western Hemisphere (Caribbean, Central and South America). He was recently honored with the title "Knighted Commander of the Government of Columbia".

Roger Mosby is now the former President and CEO of the Boy Scouts of America. Roger has had a long career in servant leadership. It all began as a sailor, serving in a squadron on the USS Ranger. We talk about Trustworthiness and Loyalty - what it means in the Navy, and what it means to Boy Scouts. How can you trust your co-workers in one of the most dangerous work environments on the planet.

With the rapid pace of technological change today, it's appropriate that we revisit an earlier podcast: Disruptive Technologies. These technologies such as autonomous weapons systems and artificial intelligence are changing the world, and the way militaries operate. These technologies present both risks and opportunities. We address the definition of disruptive technologies, what makes a technology disruptive, and how do you measure disruption. And then, of course, the ethical implications of fielding (or not fielding) those technologies.

Is Coaching different from Mentorship, and if so, where do they both "fit"? What is the Skill/Will matrix, and how does it work? What makes coaching a powerful tactic to employ within the Skill/Will framework? How does a person's location on the Skill/Will matrix change, and how does one as the leader know to shift between tactics within a conversation? How does coaching, as part of the Skill/Will Matrix lead to culture change?

We're talking with the director of rugby at Navy, overseeing the Men's and Women's Rugby programs where both the Men and Women are 2023 National Champions. Rugby is a game of grit, determination and resilience. We talk about the 2023 season, with a special emphasis on the final Men's match against perennial powerhouse the University of California, Berkeley. Navy won, to cap off an 18-0 record in their first season as a D1 varsity program. 

Chaplaincy in the Navy is almost as old as the Navy. But what is chaplaincy, and what do Chaplains do? How does a Navy Chaplain work within the leadership structure of a ship or unit, to support the Commanding Officer and her responsibility in the moral, mental and physical mission? Where does the concept of confidential communication come from, and why is it so critical and necessary for a Sailor or Marine. Finally, how does a Navy Chaplain add to the readiness of the Navy's mission?