Honchoing AI in the Air Force

AI’s real potential in the U.S. Air Force isn’t about futuristic autonomous drones—it’s about enhancing everyday operations. By embedding AI engineers across units, the Air Force can offload routine, cognitively demanding tasks and free service members to focus on mission-critical decisions. True innovation comes from integrating people, technology, and leadership over time—not from headline-grabbing breakthroughs. Success hinges on empowering “trilingual” leaders fluent in tech, operations, and acquisition, and on retaining the talent needed to drive meaningful change.