The CSIS Wadhwani AI Center is pleased to host the Honorable Dr. Will Roper, Founder and CEO of Istari Digital, and former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Dr. Roper will be joined by Gregory C. Allen, director of the Wadhwani AI Center.
Dr. Roper brings a unique perspective on the development of autonomous systems, having worked on groundbreaking Department of Defense (DOD) initiatives during his time in government, including the Strategic Capabilities Office’s Avatar and the Air Force’s Skyborg, and in the private sector, with the Air Force’s Flyer Øne. This event will examine how the DOD has historically approached AI and autonomous technologies, major DOD AI and autonomy programs underway today, such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, and what these technologies mean for the future of defense.
During Dr. Roper's time as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, he led research, development and acquisition activities, totaling an annual budget in excess of $60 billion. Prior to his Air Force role, he was the founding Director of the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), where he oversaw the development of over $1.6 billion of advanced prototypes annually, including the world's largest drone swarm. Earlier in his career, Dr. Roper served as the Chief Architect of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
Currently, Dr. Roper is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Istari Digital. Istari is building the world’s first engineering metaverse, where all technology can be created and certified completely digitally. He also serves on the Defense Innovation Board and is a Distinguished Professor of the Practice at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Dr. Roper holds a bachelor’s and master’s in physics from Georgia Tech and doctorate in mathematics from Oxford University, where he studied string theory as a Rhodes Scholar.
This event is made possible by general support to CSIS.
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