By Dr. Benjamin D. Nye, Director of Learning Sciences at USC-ICT
Dr. Benjamin D. Nye is the Director of Learning Sciences at ICT, with major research interests in identifying best-practices in advanced learning technology, particularly for frontiers such as distributed learning technologies (e.g., cloud-based, device-agnostic) and socially-situated learning (e.g., face-to-face mobile use). In this essay he talks about how ICT is addressing the Army’s requirements to generate training modules swiftly, using AI to make and update effective training materials in (near) real-time. This is part of a movement to shift training away from lectures and slides toward active training and practice, using AI to turn passive materials into active ones.
In an era of rapid technological evolution and dynamic operational challenges, the ability to train military personnel effectively and at speed is a strategic necessity. As a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), funded by the Department of Defense, ICT has been tasked to redefine the paradigm of military education and training. Traditional training methodologies—reliant on static presentations, rigid curricula, and inflexible assessments—have struggled to keep pace with the speed of modern warfare. Recent presidential orders such as “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence” (Executive Order 14179) highlight the urgency to transition and adopt AI systems to expand America’s strength as innovators.
ICT’s Learning Sciences Lab is pioneering the integration of generative AI into military training, focusing on two fundamental pillars:
- Accelerate training development cycles: Using AI to generate, adapt, and update training content in near real-time, ensuring relevance and immediacy.
- Transform passive content into active learning: Generative AI that analyzes conventional lectures and slides to create interactive, experiential learning opportunities that foster deep understanding and skill mastery.
Leveraging AI to Generate Training at the Speed of Change
Military effectiveness depends not only on existing knowledge but on the ability to assimilate new information and adapt strategies in response to evolving threats. However, traditional instructional design models operate on protracted timelines, often taking months or years to develop comprehensive training programs. By the time content is finalized, it risks obsolescence.
Our work at ICT seeks to break this cycle by leveraging AI-driven adaptive content generation to provide just-in-time learning solutions. The Personal Assistant for Life-Long Learning (PAL3) framework is a prime example of this innovation. PAL3 functions as an intelligent ecosystem, dynamically curating and delivering personalized learning experiences through AI-powered tutoring, virtual mentorship, and competency-based recommendations. PAL3 has been released as a web and mobile app for AI upskilling, offering personalized tutoring and practice.
The next generation of PAL3, known as Mission PAL: Any Training Anytime (ATA) initiative, utilizes generative AI to automate creating intelligent tutoring content- AI authoring tools to generate AI-enhanced training. This project addresses the authoring bottleneck, enabling military educators to generate interactive training resources that adapt in real time to operational needs. Addressing the issue of revising existing content, the Army AI Revision for Content (ARC) project accelerates updating content by analyzing where existing materials should change due to updates in doctrine or manuals. Finally, the Rapid Adaptive Content Registry (RACR) project developed for the Navy, OSD, and industry partners provides a plugin architecture to analyze the skills and concepts from existing training, so that adaptive learning systems can recommend the right content at the right time.
A practical application of this approach will be for counter-drone training. When new autonomous threats emerge, traditional training methodologies struggle to provide timely and relevant instruction. AI-driven content generation enables the immediate creation of interactive simulations, case studies, and scenario-based assessments that reflect the latest adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures. This ensures that personnel are not only informed but actively prepared to counter evolving threats.
From Static Instruction to Immersive Learning: AI as a Catalyst for Engagement
The research on learning sciences unequivocally supports the premise that active learning methods yield superior educational outcomes compared to passive instruction. When engaging with military educators and learners, soldiers agree that experiential and interactive learning offers the strongest lessons. Despite this, military training relies heavily on lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and text-based manuals. While these resources serve as valuable references, they seldom lead to optimal knowledge retention and skill acquisition.
ICT Learning Sciences has built a suite of AI tools to promote deeper learning, ranging from efficient dialog-based tutors to AI programming notebooks which train key concepts.
OpenTutor, an AI-driven intelligent tutoring system designed to provide adaptive, conversational learning experiences. OpenTutor allows instructors to create AI-powered tutors that engage learners in structured dialogues, prompting them to articulate concepts, answer open-ended questions, and receive immediate feedback. By integrating generative AI with traditional natural language processing techniques, OpenTutor personalized instruction to the learner’s needs, dynamically adjusting difficulty levels and offering targeted remediation where necessary.
Our empirical research has demonstrated the efficacy of AI-powered tutoring in military contexts. In the ElectronixTutor project, a large-scale pilot study conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, OpenTutor’s precursor, AutoTutor, was deployed to enhance nuclear power training. The study revealed statistically significant learning gains above traditional training approaches. Similarly, the COPE project (Army MOMRP) investigated AI-driven tutoring for complex domains, ranging from leadership subjects to technical domains. The findings underscored the potential for AI to foster deeper engagement and nuanced understanding for both classical STEM topics and in complex, human-centered training domains.
Scaling Expertise with AI-Driven Virtual Mentoring
Beyond structured coursework, mentorship is a critical component of military training. However, access to experienced mentors is often constrained by logistical challenges, deployment schedules, and workforce limitations. To address this, we developed MentorPal, a platform that enables subject matter experts to create AI-driven virtual mentors.
MentorPal functions by allowing mentors to record video responses to frequently asked questions, which are then indexed and processed through AI to create an interactive conversational interface. Learners can engage with virtual mentors, receiving personalized guidance that simulates real-world mentorship interactions. This approach showed successful results in the CareerFair.ai project with hundreds of users, where students reported a 96% satisfaction rate in engaging with AI-powered mentors.
The ability to scale mentorship across diverse domains is particularly valuable in specialized military training, where expertise is often concentrated among a select few. By leveraging AI, we can democratize access to high-quality mentorship, ensuring that personnel at all levels can benefit from expert insights and guidance.
AI-Powered Simulations: Bridging Theory and Practice
One of the most promising applications of AI in military training is its ability to enhance experiential learning through simulation-based training. In collaboration with the ICT Mixed Reality (MxR) Lab and industry partners, recent work integrates AI-driven recommendations into virtual reality (VR) flight training, combat simulations, and augmented reality (AR) maintenance exercises. By analyzing engagement patterns, biometric data, and performance metrics, AI can dynamically adjust training scenarios, tailoring difficulty levels and providing real-time feedback.
For example, in the OMEGA (AFRL) project, we applied machine learning models to detect engagement and distraction during Pilot Training Next (PTN) flight simulations. By leveraging AI-driven recommendations, instructors were able to intervene at critical moments, optimizing training efficacy. This approach not only enhances individual performance but also facilitates more efficient use of training resources. By comparison, our AR projects combine training with real-life equipment or perception. The Intelligent Training for Equipment Maintenance System (ITEMS) prototype overlays AR assistance for maintenance checks and services, which is capable of running on smartphones and operators can customize content (e.g., record updated guidance videos, add notes). The Synthetic Aperture Radar trainer (SAR AR) uses AR or VR to instead train soldiers to toggle between a visual feed and SAR, to help understand how radar-generated SAR reflects off different vehicles and equipment.
The Future of AI in Military Education: Toward an Intelligent Training Ecosystem
The integration of AI into military training is not merely an enhancement—it is a necessity. By embracing generative AI as a force multiplier, we can equip military personnel with the knowledge, skills, and adaptability required to excel in an ever-changing strategic landscape. Through co-generation—where AI and human expertise collaborate—we are not just accelerating the development of training materials; we are redefining the very nature of military education itself.
ICT’s Learning Sciences Lab remains steadfast in its mission to revolutionize military training through the responsible and innovative application of AI. The fusion of generative AI, adaptive learning, and intelligent tutoring is paving the way for a more resilient, responsive, and effective military force. By transforming how knowledge is created, delivered, and experienced, we are not only enhancing training outcomes but also shaping the future of military education in the digital age.
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