Speakers

Dr. Michael van Lent is the CEO and President of Soar Technology, Inc. In this role he leads SoarTech in its mission to develop human-centered artificial intelligence solutions for the military’s toughest problems. He has 25+ years of experience in artificial intelligence research for the DoD and has led a wide range of research, development and commercialization efforts funded by DARPA, Navy, Army and Air Force RDT&E organizations. Dr. van Lent has published widely in academic journals and conferences and is a founding organizer of the AAAI Conference on AI and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE). He has contributed to the development of multiple military training applications and the commercial release of the Full Spectrum Warrior video game (Xbox, Windows). He previously worked the Naval Research Lab’s Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence (NCARAI), applying genetic algorithms to evolve AI pilot models for air combat, and as Associate Director for Games Research at the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT), applying explainable AI and game technology to develop immersive training applications. Dr. van Lent holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Michigan, a Masters in Computer Science from the University of Tennessee, and a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Williams College.

All times are presented in the host university’s local time zone.