Earlier this year I wrote an article on LINKEDIN that questioned the Government’s stated desire to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) for use in military systems. My point being that true AI (sometimes called Real AI), cannot be controlled or validated and this makes it unsuitable for implementation in a machine capable of destroying human life.

Since the first humanoid picked up a stick or rock to extend his/her reach we have been trying to artificially augment OUR physical and mental capabilities with tools and machines. As those tools and machines get more sophisticated we extend our physical and mental reach more and more. For example, a human might be able to pick up 200 pounds but we have built machines that can lift thousands. On the mental side we are limited by the reach of our senses but through telescopes, other instruments and the Internet we can see and hear far out into the universe around us.

One of the most basic principles in Psychology is that almost everything that humans do can be traced back to our innate need and desire to survive. What this tells me is that we really don’t want to create a competitor for the resources we need to survive…..rather we want to augment our own intelligence to enhance our chances of survival (individually and as a race).

It appears that once again science fiction and human imagination lead reality in this respect. So what do you think? Will our quest for artificial augmentation of our human intelligence lead us to eventually become like the BORG? (Star  Trek). I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Dr. Andy

BRC CEO and CTO

“Cognitive Psychophysicist with an interest in almost everything”

FOOTNOTE: It was suggested to me by a very astute employee that I add a sentence or two each time I add an article to the blog to highlight one or more of our most pressing current open hiring requisitions. These can be found on the BRC website at www.brc2.com. BRC Employees that refer someone that is hired to fill one of these open positions will receive a minimum referral bonus of $1000 (after tax). Here is today’s featured open position:

Project Management Support / Level 3

Job Code: 18-PTO-038
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Clearance Required: Secret

Job Description/Essential Functions:

Bevilacqua Research Corporation (BRC) is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Small Business based in Huntsville, Alabama incorporated in 1992. BRC provides “best-value” technical and management solutions to a diverse government and commercial customer base in the following key business areas: test & evaluation, systems analysis & integration, security & intelligence, and R&D.

This position is responsible for performing a broad spectrum of acquisition duties in a Science and Technology (S&T) Office. This is a project management position capable of performing duties independently to assist in the management of various test projects in a variety of Project Management phases ranging from planning and provisioning to analysis, and reporting.

Responsibilities:

• Be capable of assisting the government Program Manager and S&T Team in the management of the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) or other contracting efforts from concept through execution and close out.
• Have understanding and capability to support the implementation of formal Systems Engineering Processes and guidance, policy, procedures and instructions.
• Have experience developing a majority of the following: Program Management Plans, Statements of Work (SOW), Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Contract Data Requirement Lists (CDRL), Requests for Proposals (RFP), Purchase Requests (PR), Master Integrated Program Schedules, Test Capability Requirements Documents (TCRD), Life Cycle Support Plans/Life Cycle Management Plans (LCSP/LCMP), Transition Plans and other formal review documentation.
• Have experience in planning, organizing, coordinating, and supporting controls in acquisition management, activities, programs and support functions of projects.
• Develop and maintain timely performance, cost, and schedule metrics, and risk indicators to provide visibility into key acquisition factors.

Minimum Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Active Secret Clearance is required with ability to maintain Secret Clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree (BS) and 3-10 years of relevant experience is required.Six years of applicable technical experience may be substituted for the BS degree (total 9 years) or four years’ experience with an Associate’s Degree (total 7 years).
• This skill level typically performs all functional duties independently. Must be able to work as part of an integrated team.
• Must be a self-motivated expert able to take responsibility for identifying, organizing, coordinating, executing necessary tasks leading to the successful accomplishment of assigned duties.
• Must be able to effectively communicate orally and possess technical writing skill.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications is required.

Other Job Information (if applicable):

• Familiar with developing budgets and managing project costs, schedules, and performance of acquisition programs or discrete portions of programs, and/or project support activities.
• Monitoring, updating and disseminating briefs/reports of performance standards, work schedules, and priorities.
• Proven ability to determine tasks sequence, priorities and assigning necessary resources to accomplish the task in order to meet performance, cost and schedule requirements, and customer expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate, participate, monitor, and report/advise on acquisition management activities.

To apply for this opportunity or see what other open opportunities are available at Bevilacqua Research Corporation, please visit our careers page at https://portal.brc2.com/careers/.

Bevilacqua Research Corporation. is an equal opportunity employer Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans and VEVRAA federal contractor. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.