Winning the National Security AI Competition: A Practical Guide for Government and Industry Leaders

Chris Whitlock is the co-founder of aiLeaders LLC, a firm dedicated to equipping national security leaders to win the global AI competition. He spent the majority of his 40-year career providing advanced analytics, AI, and management consulting services primarily to national security clients in the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Department of State. Chris helped pioneer the rapid prototyping and integration of advanced algorithms with software applications starting in the early 1990s. In the past 10 years Chris' work has emphasized machine learning and artificial intelligence applications. He led a large market offering in Deloitte Consulting focused on Mission Analytics and AI in addition to leading large programs for cabinet level departments and agencies.   

Chris co-founded an analytics company, Edge Consulting, personally leading the development of algorithmic approaches to quantify the value of intelligence. After an acquisition by IBM, he served as a Partner in IBM. Chris also was a leader in Booz Allen Hamilton, emphasizing analytics and strategic change. Prior to consulting, Chris served as a military analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency and an Army infantry officer. 

Frank Strickland is the co-founder of aiLeaders LLC, a firm dedicated to equipping national security leaders to win the global AI competition. During 22 years of government service, Frank helped lead innovations including: evaluating and transitioning to production the nation’s first long endurance unmanned aerial system; delivering intelligence to the tactical edge using narrow and wide-brand technologies; and agile prototyping of big data analytics. The Director of Central Intelligence awarded Frank the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement in recognition of these accomplishments. Frank was also the National Reconnaissance Office’s (NRO) Legislative Director, and a member of CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service, where he received the NRO’s Medals of Distinguished and Superior Service.

 In the private sector Frank co-founded Edge Consulting and helped lead Edge's growth resulting in an acquisition by IBM. As a partner in IBM and subsequently Deloitte, Frank led large practices providing AI and analytics solutions and services to national security clients including innovations in massive scale property graphs and agent-based simulation. Frank began his career as a U.S. Marine.