How AI, Cyber and Data Are Changing the Royal Air Force
In this episode of The Digital State Podcast, Paul Scully and Asad Ansari are joined by Dr Arif Mustafa, Chief Digital and Information Officer and Director Digital for the Royal Air Force, for a wide ranging conversation about the digital transformation of the RAF.
41:38Show notes
How are AI, cyber security and data changing the Royal Air Force (RAF)?
Dr Arif explains the role of RAF Digital, from supporting the technology and infrastructure behind air bases and aircraft to bringing together data across different platforms, strengthening cyber resilience and building the digital skills needed for the future.
The conversation explores how the RAF is using artificial intelligence to improve productivity, support decision making and help people work more effectively. Dr Arif also discusses the importance of keeping people at the centre of AI adoption and the need to think carefully about how much decision-making authority is given to autonomous systems.
Dr Arif also reflects on the challenge of bringing more innovative SMEs into defence, arguing that smaller organisations often have strong ideas but need the right partnerships, funding and routes into the system to succeed.
At the heart of the discussion is a bigger question:
What does it take to build a truly digital Air Force in an era where AI, cyber and data are becoming increasingly central to national defence?
Topics covered
- how RAF Digital supports the modern Royal Air Force
- AI and decision superiority
- cyber security and critical systems
- data interoperability across defence
- the role of SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups
- how primes can help smaller technology companies access defence
- procurement and the pace of innovation
- digital and cyber skills
- developing talent inside the RAF
- lessons from the private sector
- the future relationship between defence and industry
Hosts
- Paul ScullyFormer MP & Minister for Technology
- Asad AnsariManaging Partner, Mayfair IT Consultancy