By Sharon Mozgai, Director, Virtual Human Therapeutics Lab, ICT
Sharon Mozgai, Director, Virtual Human Therapeutics Lab, joined ICT in 2015 as a Research Analyst in the Virtual Humans Group, then served as a Lead R&D Scientist, before becoming Associate Director of MedicalVR. There, she drew on psychology, medicine, neuroscience, physical and occupational therapy, to evaluate where Virtual Reality (VR) could add value over traditional assessment and clinical intervention approaches. In this essay, Mozgai explains how next-generation virtual human systems will enhance military training – and strengthen warfighter readiness for the next conflict.
Future conflicts will go beyond traditional battlefield skills, requiring warfighters to navigate cognitive warfare, integrate with human-machine teams, and make decentralized decisions—demanding adaptability and rapid judgment in an increasingly complex and technology-driven battlespace. While immersive training systems have played a crucial role in preparing military personnel, the next frontier lies in leveraging virtual human technologies to not only enhance training but also sustain peak cognitive performance for elevated decision-making under duress.
At ICT’s Virtual Human Therapeutics Lab (VHTL) we are developing scalable, AI-driven solutions designed to support warfighters throughout their careers—from initial training and deployment to post-service transition.
Future combat environments will demand adaptive training solutions that enhance decision-making, resilience, and performance under stress. Next-generation virtual human systems will provide real-time coaching, decision support, and self-regulation techniques tailored to dynamic operational needs. A prime use case might be Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training, where AI-driven simulations could expose medics to high-intensity scenarios—such as multi-casualty events under indirect fire—guiding them through triage and evacuation. Continuous performance analytics would track decision accuracy, response times, and stress regulation, ensuring warfighters meet objective proficiency standards before deployment.
As digital mentors, these virtual agents will not only extend the reach of human leadership but also enhance training by ensuring that each service member receives tailored, adaptive support.
Beyond training and deployment, maintaining cognitive and emotional resilience over a full military career will be essential. Warfighters don’t just need to be ready for the next mission—they need to be ready for the long haul. AI-driven virtual human therapeutics are being designed to provide long-term support, ensuring that service members remain mission-ready from enlistment to separation.
Case Study: Building on Battle Buddy
A model for this approach is Battle Buddy, an AI-driven mobile health (mHealth) application, which was developed at ICT to address critical challenges for veterans. By acting as a bridge to both digital and human support networks—including fellow veterans, family, and Department of Veterans Affairs resources—this system guides individuals through crisis moments, reinforcing protective factors that can prevent escalation.
As the project leader on Battle Buddy, I led our teams through a year of intensive technical development and delivered multiple academic papers, one of which, detailing Battle Buddy’s design methodology, was nominated for Best Paper at ICDVRAT 2024, a premier conference focused on virtual rehabilitation technologies. Battle Buddy also received the Best Technical Demonstration award at the 2023 International Conference on Persuasive Technology, a leading event at the intersection of computer science and psychology.
Moving our research out of the lab and into the hands of warfighters, and veterans, is crucial to ICT’s mandate. Now licensed to SoldierStrong (via the USC Stevens Center for Innovation) their development team will create new Battle Buddy modules for iOS, with optional use of wearable technologies (e.g., Apple Watch, Garmin) and interactive intelligent agents. The Battle Buddy technology leverages the Rapid Integration & Development Environment (RIDE) real-time prototyping platform, developed at USC ICT and is included in the license to SoldierStrong.
What we learned on Battle Buddy is now being used for ideation towards these next-generation virtual human systems to support tomorrow’s warfighters as they adapt to dynamic combat environments.
Supporting the Department of Defense’s Mission
The Department of Defense (DoD) recognizes that the strength of our military is not solely defined by advanced weaponry but also by the resilience of its personnel. Our work aligns with the DoD’s approach to force readiness by addressing the psychological challenges that can impact performance and retention. By providing scalable, technology-driven therapeutic tools, we contribute to a more robust and prepared fighting force.
As future conflicts become more complex, the demand for scalable, interoperable, and adaptive AI-driven solutions will increase. VHTL is focused on developing virtual human technologies that seamlessly integrate across defense training systems, operational command structures, and real-time battlefield environments.
By ensuring that these tools are lightweight, flexible, and capable of adapting to both garrison and combat conditions, we are designing virtual human technologies that will support decision-making, sustain resilience, and extend human capabilities in real-world conditions.
Driving the Future of Warfighter Support
The battlefield of tomorrow will be shaped by emerging technologies, but its success will depend on the resilience and adaptability of those who fight.
At VHTL, we are developing the tools to make this future a reality. By integrating AI, human performance modeling, and interactive virtual humans, we are building the next generation of force support systems—ensuring that warfighters are not only trained but sustained.
The fight ahead will demand a force that is adaptable, resilient, and prepared for the unexpected. By integrating virtual human therapeutics into the broader defense ecosystem, we aim to equip warfighters with the tools they need to remain mission-ready, no matter what the future battlefield brings.
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