Marines Lead AI Fellowship Program at the Naval Postgraduate School
HEADQUARTERS, MARINE CORPS – From August 11 to 14, U.S. Marines convened at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California, to kick off a pioneering endeavor in military education and innovation: the inaugural U.S. Marine Corps–Naval Postgraduate School Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fellowship.
This initiative is part of the 2024 Marine Corps Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aimed at enhancing AI integration and development within the force. It focuses on creating a group of AI-savvy Marines equipped with technical skills, hands-on experience, and operational knowledge.
“This fellowship taps into the enthusiasm of Marines who understand contemporary issues facing the Fleet, alongside faculty experts and cutting-edge resources at NPS, all while harnessing the vast potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning,” stated Dr. Christopher Paul, U.S. Marine Corps Chair for Information at NPS and primary coordinator of the program.
The inaugural cohort of Marines will engage in a five-month journey of AI education and applied research, balancing their time between their home units and the NPS campus. They will utilize mentorship, coursework, and prototype creation to tackle pressing challenges that align with the needs of the Fleet Marine Force.
“Our aim is to maximize the use of AI throughout the force,” Paul commented. “To achieve this, we must cultivate a population within the military that is proficient and knowledgeable in AI, which this fellowship is designed to foster.”
The Marine Corps is dedicated to developing and implementing new technologies that provide Marines with a strategic edge in future confrontations. The USMC–NPS AI Fellowship represents a concrete measure to prepare warfighters with the essential tools and knowledge for an increasingly digital battleground.
While this pilot program is currently exclusive to Marines, there are plans for future iterations to broaden participation to include members from other branches of the Joint Force.
This fellowship exemplifies the Marine Corps’ commitment to education, innovation, and readiness for the intricate challenges of modern operational landscapes.
Details regarding upcoming fellowship opportunities will be shared through Marine Corps administrative messages.
For further questions about the pilot program, please reach out to:
Capt. Stephanie Baer, Communication Strategy Officer, Deputy Commandant for Information, [email protected]
