DLA Energy Aerospace Holds Hybrid Intelligence-Focused AI Training in San Antonio
Through training held in San Antonio, 44 participants who combined human expertise with AI tools contributed to the agency's digital readiness goals. The experiences gained through the AI team established during the process are intended to be shared with other units.
The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy Aerospace team conducted in-person AI training in San Antonio, Texas, to enhance the hybrid intelligence capabilities of employees and leaders. Utilizing Franklin Covey training materials, the program serves as a pilot initiative within DLA Energy.
Hybrid Intelligence and Two Distinct Learning Paths
A total of 44 personnel participated in the training program, which followed two separate learning tracks for employees and leaders. Thirty-five employees completed the program titled 'Working with AI: Essentials for Working Smarter Together,' while nine leaders attended the course 'Leading with AI: Accelerating AI Impact with Empathy and Action.'
Ditu Kasuyi, chief of the DLA Energy Procurement Workforce Development Division, stated that the training supports the agency's goal of creating a data- and AI-driven, digitally ready workforce. The training was noted to align directly with initiatives aimed at strengthening supply chain risk management.
Balancing Human Expertise and Artificial Intelligence
Doug Smith, director of Aerospace Energy Procurement Operations, emphasized that AI should not be viewed as a replacement for human decision-making, but as a tool to support it. Smith noted that despite AI's role in accelerating data collection and routine tasks, human expertise remains critically important in risk assessment and final decision-making processes.
During the training, employees reportedly focused on practical scenarios, while leaders developed strategies for leading with empathy and openness through technological change.
Operational Risks and Workflow Transformation
Officials warned that unchecked AI use could lead to internal information duplication and inconsistencies. Kasuyi noted that AI-generated data should not be accepted without human oversight, and that personnel remain accountable for the accuracy of final work products.
Keosha Cobbs, a cryogenic customer account specialist, stated that the training shifted the workflow from a reactive to a proactive model. AI tools were noted to provide significant time savings in administrative tasks by speeding up drafting processes.
Organization-Wide Rollout and Specialized Workgroup
Through a dedicated team established within the agency, personnel were introduced to prompt engineering techniques and presented with GenAI.mil, the central AI resource of the U.S. Department of Defense. Plans are in place to scale successful practices to other DLA Energy units.