THEME: Integrating AI-Enabled Systems through Digital Engineering for Decision Advantage
OVERVIEW
This forum will focus on:
- AI T&E Policies and Guidance: Sharing the latest information.
- AI-Enabled Systems: Focusing on new technology being integrated into military capabilities.
- Integrating and Validating: Focusing on primary challenges and goals of the T&E community: how to safely and effectively incorporate these complex systems into existing platforms and ensure they work correctly.
- Digital Engineering (DE): DE and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). Using virtual proving grounds, digital twins, and authoritative data sources is seen as the key to accelerating processes and reducing costs.
- Decision Advantage: Connecting the technical work of T&E and DE to the ultimate strategic goal for the warfighter: faster, better-informed decisions on the battlefield, which is a core tenet of the DoD’s AI adoption strategy.
SPEAKERS
Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, Virginia Second District, US House of Representatives – Invited
The Honorable Dr. Amy Henninger, Director, Operational Test and Evaluation “Adversarial and Counter AI: T&E Implications”
Victoria M. Fellenz, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) – Invited
Sarah M. Standard, Cybersecurity/Interoperability Deputy Director, Office of Undersecretary of Defense, Research and Engineering – Invited
Sara Jordan, Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA). Forum Audience will have an opportunity to review and provide comments to the latest version of the Practical Strategies for Design and Execution of Test and Evaluation of AI Enabled Systems (AIES)
Dr. Laura Freeman, Deputy Director, Virginia Tech National Security Institute, Assistant Dean for Research, College of Science, and ITEA Fellow. Conversation on Digital Transformation and Data Science
Dr. Sandeep (Sandy) Patel, KBR, AI/ML & Space Enterprise Manager and Deputy Program Manager for DIA/DOT&E/TETRA Contract
Dr. Jeremy S. Werner, Chief Scientist, DeciSym.AI, AI-Ready Data Intelligence for Decision Advantage
Thomas Anderson, Vice President, AI and Machine Learning at Synopsys Inc. – Invited
Dr. Kerianne Hobbs, Senior Engineering Specialist, Vehicle Autonomy & System Trust, The Aerospace Corporation
Abstract: The rapid evolution of AI-enabled autonomy is reshaping operations across multiple domains. This talk presents an emerging integrated framework combining guardrails, watchdogs, live-virtual-constructive (LVC) testing, human-autonomy teaming (HAT), traditional processor/hardware-in-the-loop (PIL/HIL) methods, and unique approaches to test case generation to accelerate the responsible deployment of AI-enabled autonomy without sacrificing safety. As autonomous systems undertake critical decision-making, it is essential to establish clear behavioral boundaries, manage risk with structured representative testing at scale, and integrate human oversight with machine decision-making.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Testing and Evaluation Strategies with and for AI in Complex Systems
Moderated by John Frederick, Director, Innovation and Testing Strategies, Veracity Engineering
This panel will explore how T&E and organizational cultures must adapt to assess complex, nondeterministic AI and ML enabled safety and security critical systems. Panelists will discuss technical challenges, system characteristics, and metrics for integrating and testing AI, focusing on how verification and validation (V&V) evidence builds decision confidence, supports certification, and ensures operational suitability. The panel will examine the design and validation of data ontologies, decision support models, and data governance as essential enablers of AI in complex environments. The role of digital engineering, including the integral relationship between digital twins and AI/ML capabilities, will be highlighted. Finally, panelists will explore how AI and ML methods can enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and coverage of V&V.
Panelists
Dr. Ian Levitt, Distinguished Board Member, National Aerospace Research & Technology Park
Eman Kawas, Independent Advisor, Decision Assurance using AI-Enabled Digital Twins
Dr. Antonios Kontsos, Henry M. Rowan Foundation Professor, Director of the Digital Engineering Hub
Jonathan Dziok, Systems Engineer, Veracity Engineering
Artificial Intelligence: An Industry Perspective
Moderated by Bryan Vandrovec, Chief Technologist, Autonomous and AI Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton
This panel examines how a Digital Proving Ground overcomes the limitations of traditional physical testing for complex AI-enabled systems. Industry experts will discuss leveraging a generative AI-powered knowledge assistant for automated test planning, high-fidelity test range reconstruction, physics-based digital twins to generate synthetic data, and interpretable runtime guardrails to assess machine reasoning. Together, these capabilities accelerate evaluation processes, realize significant cost savings, and establish the calibrated trust required for modern autonomous systems development.
Panelists
Judy Brown Stoer, Autonomy Test Team Lead, Weather Gage Technologies
Johannes Waldstein, Founder & CEO, PiLogic Inc.
Dr. Policarpio Soberanis, Synopsys Inc.
CALL FOR PAPERS & POSTER PRESENTATIONS
You are invited to submit non-commercial, technical abstracts for papers and poster presentations. This AI Forum will bring together experts from government, industry, and academia to address the rapidly evolving challenges and opportunities associated with testing, evaluating, and integrating artificial intelligence into defense systems.
Submission Requirements
Abstract Length: Maximum of 500 words
Scope: Strictly non-commercial, technical, and relevant to AI and Test & Evaluation
Format: Clear and concise description of the topic, methodology, and expected contribution
Eligibility: Open to government, industry, and academic professionals
Focus Areas
Authors are encouraged to submit abstracts aligned with one or more of the following themes:
1. AI T&E Policies and Guidance
Work that highlights emerging DoD policies, standards, and best practices supporting the safe and responsible development, testing, and fielding of AI-enabled capabilities.
2. AI-Enabled Systems
Technical advances in AI algorithms, autonomy, machine learning integration, human-machine teaming, or related technologies affecting current or future military capabilities.
3. Integrating and Validating AI
Challenges, methods, and innovations for incorporating AI into existing platforms, mission workflows, test infrastructure, or operational environments. Topics may include verification, validation, safety assurance, transparency, and performance characterization.
4. Digital Engineering (DE) and MBSE
Use of digital twins, high-fidelity models, virtual proving grounds, simulation environments, and authoritative data sources to accelerate testing, improve quality, and reduce lifecycle costs.
5. Decision Advantage for the Warfighter
Research demonstrating how AI T&E enables improved speed, accuracy, and confidence in decision-making. Work connecting test outcomes to operational impact, mission effectiveness, and strategic advantage is encouraged.
Important Dates
• Abstract Submission Deadline: February 13, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: February 27, 2026
• Final Paper/Presentation Due: March 13, 2026
• Forum Date: March 17 – 18, 2026
Submission Instructions
Link here to upload your abstract
Please ensure your abstract is approved for public release and cleared through your organization prior to submitting it for consideration. Once your abstract has been accepted, you will be notified with further instructions. Poster Presenters are not exempt from registration and conference fees. The primary presenter will receive a discounted rate, all other presenters/co-authors will register at the full rate.
Full Papers
Full papers are optional but are not required. Full papers will be peer reviewed for consideration for publication in the SCOPUS-listed ITEA Journal of Testing and Evaluation (ISSN 1054-0229). For a copy of Journal guidelines and copyright release forms contact journal@itea.org
VENUE & HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS
Location
HELIX, Booz Allen’s Center of Innovation
901 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
The program will be held on the 1st floor.
Parking
We strongly encourage you to avoid parking at The Helix. Parking at the office building is limited and extremely difficult to navigate. We would urge you to Uber/Lyft/Taxi or take the Metro (The Helix is 1 block from McPherson Square station and Farragut North station is a short walk (0.4 miles). If you decide to drive, please note the IMAPRK Garage is located at the Helix address and will charge a daily fee.
Hotel Accommodations
Hotel accommodations should be made on your own to fit your budget.
Timeline – Guide
We expect the following: 8:00 AM Registration Opens | 9:00 AM Program Begins | Tuesday Networking Reception | Wednesday Program Concludes at 5:00 PM – Subject to change
SPONSOR
Sponsorship opportunities are available to highlight your organization before and during the event. From Small Businesses with 10 or less employees to our biggest industry leaders, our price point and return on investment will be just what you need to succeed to gaining visibility within the T&E community.
Levels of Sponsorships
$2,500 | $1,000 | $500
Lunch and Reception $3000
Breaks $1,500
Questions? Contact Jenna Reza [jenna@itea.org]