The OODA Loop Team has been on the road this week, as we were invited by a few “communities of practice” to attend their annual conferences.  Some are industry sectors, while most cut across all industry sectors and point to the future of exponential technology convergences of many sorts.  We endeavored to get out into the field and get some direct feedback loops in areas not necessarily our core competencies or subject matter expertise.  Add the following communities to your filtering and tracking efforts – and be on the lookout for the fruits of our field research efforts in OODA Loop research posts in the weeks ahead.

Geoint: An annual gathering of intelligence professionals with a focus on geospatial intelligence. Chris Ward and many network members were there this week. 

SOF Week:  This convention for U.S. and International SOF will include a diverse slate of programs, to include professional development sessions, interactive discussions about the future of SOF, and an up-close view of some of the best tech available to our warfighters. Several from our network reported they will be here. 

In-Q-Tel: This gathering of a subset of investors and high tech firms seeking to support the US Intelligence Community is always great for tracking the state of tech disruption in the IC. Several from the OODA network will be in attendance including participating in their tech expo. 

RSA Conference 2024: Of course, cybersecurity is our sweet spot and OODA attends RSAC annually – but for the uninitiated and in a nudge for all our readership to scan the horizon as the RSA organizers see it this year: For 32 years, RSA Conference has been a driving force behind the world’s cybersecurity community. And over that time, we’ve seen the need to expand our mission beyond yearly Conferences. Because cyberthreats are constantly evolving, and we as a community must continue to evolve, too.  Today, RSA Conference is your ongoing source for timely insights, thoughtful interactions, and actionable intelligence. All designed to help cybersecurity professionals continually strengthen their organizations and push their careers further.  

Automate 2024:  Automation broadly defined and implemented in a wide variety of industry sectors and sub-sectors by the A3 (The Association for the Advancement of Automation) this trade show and conference was big and overwhelming for first-timers, but it was time to get out into the field as see this community of practice in their native habitat and how they are framing the problem set and the solutions: 

Automation isn’t just the future. It’s the here and now—and at Automate 2024. As North America’s largest robotics and automation event, this is the place for anyone working with or curious about automation. Come discover what’s next for your business—and your industry.

SCSP AI Expo and Ash Carter Exchange:  On May 7th and 8th, SCSP hosted its first-ever AI Expo for National Competitiveness – alongside the second Ash Carter Exchange on Innovation And National Security – at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. We envision this expo becoming the place to convene and build relationships around AI, technology, and U.S. and allied competitiveness. The AI Expo is meant to serve as a forum for industry, government, and academic research entities to exhibit some of the latest technological breakthroughs — in AI, biotech, energy, networks, compute, microelectronics, manufacturing, augmented reality, and beyond — and discuss their implications for U.S. and allied competitiveness.

The Second Annual Ash Carter Exchange:  Hosted by Mrs. Stephanie Carter and SCSP, the Carter Exchange continues the extraordinary discussions and connections made during last year’s unforgettable event. The event honors the enduring impact of former Secretary of Defense Dr. Ash Carter whose visionary recognition of technology’s role in national security guides our preparedness for tomorrow’s challenges.

SynBiobeta 2024 (Virtual attendance and tracking):  SynBiobeta 2024 – The Global Synthetic Biology Conference is an innovation network that brings together individuals who share a passion for biological engineering and sustainability. We gather engineers, investors, innovators, and entrepreneurs across a broad base of industries and company sizes, who are committed to using biology to build a better world.

Additional OODA Loop Resources 

Technology Trends

Technology Convergence and Market Disruption: Rapid advancements in technology are changing market dynamics and user expectations. See: Disruptive and Exponential Technologies.

The New Tech Trinity: Artificial Intelligence, BioTech, Quantum Tech: Will make monumental shifts in the world. This new Tech Trinity will redefine our economy, both threaten and fortify our national security, and revolutionize our intelligence community. None of us are ready for this. This convergence requires a deepened commitment to foresight and preparation and planning on a level that is not occurring anywhere. The New Tech Trinity.

The Revolution in Biology: This post provides an overview of key thrusts of the transformation underway in biology and offers seven topics business leaders should consider when updating business strategy to optimize opportunity because of these changes. For more see:  The Executive’s Guide To The Revolution in Biology

Quantum Computing and Quantum Sensemaking: Quantum Computing, Quantum Security and Quantum Sensing insights to drive your decision-making process. Quantum Computing and Quantum Security

AI Discipline Interdependence: There are concerns about uncontrolled AI growth, with many experts calling for robust AI governance. Both positive and negative impacts of AI need assessment. See: Using AI for Competitive Advantage in Business.

Benefits of Automation and New Technology: Automation, AI, robotics, and Robotic Process Automation are improving business efficiency. New sensors, especially quantum ones, are revolutionizing sectors like healthcare and national security. Advanced WiFi, cellular, and space-based communication technologies are enhancing distributed work capabilities. See: Advanced Automation and New Technologies

Emerging NLP Approaches: While Big Data remains vital, there’s a growing need for efficient small data analysis, especially with potential chip shortages. Cost reductions in training AI models offer promising prospects for business disruptions. Breakthroughs in unsupervised learning could be especially transformative. See: What Leaders Should Know About NLP

Rise of the Metaverse: The Metaverse, an immersive digital universe, is expected to reshape internet interactions, education, social networking, and entertainment. See Future of the Metaverse.

Bitcoin’s Momentum: Bitcoin seems unstoppable due to solid mathematical foundations and widespread societal acceptance. Other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum also gain prominence. The Metaverse’s rise is closely tied to Ethereum’s universal trust layer. See: Guide to Crypto Revolution

Materials Science Revolution: Room-temperature ambient pressure superconductors represent a significant innovation. Sustainability gets a boost with reprocessable materials. Energy storage sees innovations in solid-state batteries and advanced supercapacitors. Smart textiles pave the way for health-monitoring and self-healing fabrics. 3D printing materials promise disruptions in various sectors. Perovskites offer versatile applications, from solar power to quantum computing. See: Materials Science

Cyber Risks

Corporate Board Accountability for Cyber Risks: With a combination of market forces, regulatory changes, and strategic shifts, corporate boards and directors are now accountable for cyber risks in their firms. See: Corporate Directors and Risk

Geopolitical-Cyber Risk Nexus: The interconnectivity brought by the Internet has caused regional issues that affect global cyberspace. Every significant event has cyber implications, so leaders must recognize and act upon the symbiosis between geopolitical and cyber risks. See The Cyber Threat

Ransomware’s Rapid Evolution: Ransomware technology and its associated criminal business models have seen significant advancements. This has culminated in a heightened threat level, resembling a pandemic’s reach and impact. Yet, there are strategies available for threat mitigation. See: Ransomware, and update.

Challenges in Cyber “Net Assessment”: While leaders have long tried to gauge both cyber risk and security, actionable metrics remain elusive. Current metrics mainly determine if a system can be compromised without guaranteeing its invulnerability. It’s imperative not just to develop action plans against risks but to contextualize the state of cybersecurity concerning cyber threats. Despite its importance, achieving a reliable net assessment is increasingly challenging due to the pervasive nature of modern technology. See: Cyber Threat

Recommendations for Action

Decision Intelligence for Optimal Choices: Numerous disruptions complicate situational awareness and can inhibit effective decision-making. Every enterprise should evaluate its data collection methods, assessment, and decision-making processes  – for more insights: Decision Intelligence.

Proactive Mitigation of Cyber Threats: The relentless nature of cyber adversaries, whether they are criminals or nation-states, necessitates proactive measures. Remembering cybersecurity isn’t solely the IT department’s or the CISO’s responsibility – it’s a collective effort involving the entire leadership. Relying solely on governmental actions isn’t advised, given its inconsistent approach toward aiding industries in risk reduction. See: Cyber Defenses

The Necessity of Continuous Vigilance in Cybersecurity: The consistent warnings from the FBI and CISA concerning cybersecurity signal potential large-scale threats. Cybersecurity demands 24/7 attention, even on holidays. Ensuring team endurance and preventing burnout by allocating rest periods are imperative. See: Continuous Vigilance

Embracing Corporate Intelligence and Scenario Planning in an Uncertain Age: Businesses also confront unpredictable external threats besides traditional competitive challenges. This environment amplifies the significance of Scenario Planning. It enables leaders to envision varied futures, thereby identifying potential risks and opportunities. Regardless of size, all organizations should allocate time to refine their understanding of the current risk landscape and adapt their strategies. See: Scenario Planning

Track Technology-Driven Disruption: Businesses should examine technological drivers and future customer demands. A multidisciplinary knowledge of tech domains is essential for effective foresight. See Disruptive and Exponential Technologies.

The Inevitable Acceleration of Reshoring and its Challenges: The momentum towards reshoring, nearshoring, and friendshoring signals a global shift towards regional self-reliance. Each region will emphasize local manufacturing, food production, energy generation, defense, and automation. Reshoring is a complex process, with numerous examples of failures stemming from underestimating intricacies. Comprehensive analyses encompassing various facets, from engineering to finance, are essential for successful reshoring endeavors. See: Opportunities for Advantage