AI Tools and Tricks for Acquisition Decision Making

Event description

A detailed look at AI-driven tools designed to streamline and optimize the program management process. Program managers will learn how these tools can assist in areas such as data analysis, decision-making, and automation.

Speaker

Dr. Richard Threlkeld

Visiting Professor, DAU

Richard Threlkeld, PhD, is the CEO and owner of Axiom AI and Valiant AI, two innovative companies at the forefront of artificial intelligence and autonomy. At Axiom AI, he spearheads the development of cutting-edge solutions that enhance decision-making, empower autonomous agents, and enable seamless human-machine collaboration. Axiom AI’s core focus areas include multi-modal AI, data science, and model-based systems engineering—serving a diverse range of applications such as robotics, autonomy, speech to text, modeling and simulation, and digital twins. Valiant AI, meanwhile, is dedicated to revolutionizing healthcare through AI-driven advances in organ transplantation, helping reduce wait times by improving donor organ identification, viability prediction, and matching processes for hard-to-place organs.

Dr. Threlkeld brings over a decade of R&D expertise gained from roles in operations, academia, traditional defense contractors, commercial entities, and several Fortune 100 companies. He served 12 years as an officer in both the active and reserve components of the United States Army, including assignments as an Associate Professor of Military Science at both Georgia Tech and the University of Central Florida. Following his active duty, he continued to serve the Department of Defense in academia, acting as a principal investigator for multiple defense projects with DTRA, JPEO, SCO, and the Army. His extensive background further includes serving as a principal investigator and architect for defense contractors, as well as leading commercial and government research efforts across digital twins, model-based engineering, robotics, autonomy, and AI.

Dr. Threlkeld holds a PhD in Systems Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, a Master’s in Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Webster University, and a BS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Tech. He currently serves as an adjunct at Missouri University of Science and Technology and is a visiting professor of special programs at the Defense Acquisition University. In his leadership roles at Axiom AI and Valiant AI, Dr. Threlkeld focuses on bridging cutting-edge research with real-world impact, driving advancements that support both warfighters and patients in critical, high-stakes environments.