We are really after World Peace
After working in Defense for 20+ years, I took a long break this year fearful that I was perpetuating war, not world peace.
At the time, I was working at an AI software startup in Washington, DC. I was at the office listening to two software engineering college interns discuss the algorithms for enabling a drone to deploy a kinetic effect built off automated target recognition. Their body language and the excitement in their voices made me wonder whether they understood the significance of their choices.
It made me wonder if, as our company built its software, we were concurrently creating a culture and putting mechanisms in place that would ensure there was a “double check” on our code to mitigate racial bias in any automation we were building. I wondered if we were at least inserting a human in the loop per the user design experience so that kinetic effects using our software by future Defense customers would include a trained soldier, sailor, or airman to make an informed decision.
I was asking these questions because building modernized Defense capabilities for the US and our allies is not about building a war machine; it’s about building superior defenses that can perpetuate world peace. And world peace—not war—is what we want!
It’s fair to ask the question: how is providing the US superior Defense capabilities critical for perpetuating world peace?
I think about this question a lot.
The US is not perfect. Yes, there is racism, sexism, and a large wealth and income gap between wealthy and poor citizens.
That said, as a woman, I had the freedom to wake up one morning and start my own business to bring the value I want to the world. As I go, I can learn what I need and gain access to help and resources to build the life I want. This opportunity exists for people of all races, religions, and genders in the US.
This opportunity is what the US strives to unlock abroad.
At its best, the US represents opportunity and freedom and choice. Peace unlocks these.
As Sargent Initiatives INC helps companies expand across the US Defense sector, it is with Peace in mind. We want to help our customers cultivate the corporate culture and mechanisms that ensure their technology is deployed on behalf of the US and our Defenses responsibly. After all, we want Peace.
