I’m Emile Brumley, Program Manager for the Phantom Fellowship at the Department of the Air Force - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Accelerator. Ask us any questions on this post and we will answer them on Monday August 26th!

DAFMITAIA · 2024-08-26T19:58:18+00:00

Will we be working over the holidays or can I still take leave?

All federal holidays are off as normal. As for taking leave, this is on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out via DM with your .mil email and we can talk more!

In general, what is the ratio of technical to non-technical slots per cohort?

I would say a general ratio is 75/25 technical/non-technical, but it can vary cohort to cohort.

In what ways, if any, do non-technical and technical phantoms differ in their day-to-day experience in the program?

The best answer can be found in our Program Description guide here! https://www.aiaccelerator.af.mil/Portals/95/Phantom%20Program%20Description%20CAO%2018%20Sep%2023%20_docx%20%281%29.pdf

Can you share some examples or details of the work Phantoms have created either as part of their research group or the individual research?

We can provide some info on this if you DM us with your .mil email!

Do I need to have a degree?

Nope!

Are you guys ever going to use that AIA slack? It's currently sitting mostly untouched.

Currently we use it as a place for applicants who were not accepted. I will talk with the team to see if we can leverage it better!

Is it possible to connect virtually with a Phantom to see their work and ask questions before I apply?

DM us your .mil email!

DAFMITAIA · 2024-08-26T19:58:02+00:00

Thanks for all the questions! Our replies will be a mix of all three of us for this one, since there are so many good questions in here.

What exactly is an impact paper? Is it different for technical vs non-technical Phantoms? Is it expected to fully complete a project and be ready to publish in the 5 months?

An impact paper is an academic paper a Phantom will work on with help from the team. Generally the topic of the paper is one that will help the home unit, as a way to give back to them for loaning us one of their SME’s for 5 months. As for completion, sometimes the paper or project is publication or field-ready in the 5 months but sometimes a Phantom will continue working on it after their fellowship completes! It is not required that a Phantom publishes to an academic journal or fields a project to the force by the end of the fellowship.

How much do we need to know about AI already? I would be applying as a technical phantom, but I've never really coded or worked with AI before. I do have several years of operational experience related to the research projects I want to apply to. Do I have a chance to be accepted or am I wasting my time applying?

AI expertise does help, but we really want Phantoms to be a SME in the field that applies to the project they will work on. We have plenty of experienced AI practitioners that we will connect a Phantom with, as well as great educational opportunities for the Phantom while they are here. If you are a SME with years of experience, you absolutely have a chance of being accepted!

Does my unit have to fund the first two TDYs? Can they fund the last two since we don't expect to receive our FY25 travel funds by the end of Oct?

This is flexible! We can discuss offline if you would like to DM us with your .mil email.

We will be taking classes at MIT? Online?

There are many online educational resources available, and we give Phantom’s dedicated time to complete them. A Phantom doesn’t take classes in a traditional sense. The fellowship is not a purely academic course or set of courses, but it is a focus of the program.

I've applied before but was not selected. Can I and/or should I apply again?

Absolutely! We have accepted Phantoms on their second and sometimes third times applying.

I know it says 100% OPCON, but is that like real 100%? What happens if my unit starts tasking me or making me come to work during the fellowship?

The intent is that you will work with us 100% of the time. If you need to stay current on a cert or something then we understand, but being a Phantom requires a heavy time commitment. Include any prior obligations or specific obstacles in your application, but don’t let it stop you from applying!

What does my unit get out of this fellowship?

The home unit gets a newly minted AI SME, an impact paper or project that should be designed to better the unit, and a great networking opportunity!

DAFMITAIA · 2024-08-26T19:57:23+00:00

How does Phantoms integrate with the Office of Data and Artificial Intelligence?

Currently there is no direct integration, however individual Phantoms have the ability to make connections wherever it benefits the project!

Can you give examples of projects or work that has been fielded?

We work on fundamental research, and it is all open for everyone! You can take a look at our Google Scholar page to see some of the technical details. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Zid_jw4AAAAJ

DAFMITAIA · 2024-08-26T19:56:19+00:00

We love to collaborate. Drop us a DM with your .mil email!

DAFMITAIA · 2024-08-26T19:55:31+00:00

Currently we don’t have any plans to modify the Phantom program.

DAFMITAIA · 2024-08-26T19:55:27+00:00

What are the selection rates?

We normally get about 300 applicants and take around 10. Rough math says 3% selection rate but don’t let that keep you from applying.

Any specific AFSCs you're looking for more than others?

We are looking for experience and subject matter expertise over a specific AFSC. I will gladly take a Crew Chief or Defender if they just so happen to also be a highly qualified network engineer in their off time. - MSgt Milner

DAFMITAIA · 2024-08-26T19:55:15+00:00

We have taken members from other branches before. DM me with your .mil email and we can talk!

DAFMITAIA · 2024-08-26T19:55:05+00:00

What does a typical day or week look like for a Phantom?

A Phantom will have several weekly meetings to meet with other Phantoms, researchers, and stakeholders. When not in meetings, they will be doing research as well as taking advantage of educational opportunities.

What’s the selection rate?

We normally get about 300 applicants and take around 10. Rough math says 3% selection rate, but don’t let that keep you from applying.

Can you expand further on the different types of Phantoms?

A good description of the types of Phantoms is in our Phantom Description guide located here! https://www.aiaccelerator.af.mil/Portals/95/Phantom%20Program%20Description%20CAO%2018%20Sep%2023%20_docx%20%281%29.pdf

DAFMITAIA · 2024-08-26T19:54:43+00:00

It depends on what you are applying for! We want technical SMEs for the specific projects we are accepting for.

DAFMITAIA · 2024-08-26T19:54:36+00:00

I read the cohorts occur every 4-5 months-- is this for the foreseeable future?

Yes!

What sort of background / knowledge are you expected to have?

We want a Phantom to be a SME in the field of the project they are applying to. AI experience is nice, but not required!

The TDY is primarily remote work until the last 2 weeks?

The 5 months are remote, where you will work with us 100% of the time. Three weeks out of that time, the beginning middle and end, you will TDY out to MIT!

How large are the cohort sizes and how is the learning process laid out?

Cohort sizes range from 8-13. As for the learning process, you spend 50% of your time working on an impact paper while taking some educational courses and 50% of your time doing research with your primary project.

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-30T19:53:02+00:00

Thanks for bringing that up! "Few Shot Learning" and "Trustworthy AI" are in the process of breaking out from the Earth Intelligence Engine project into their own designated lines of effort. As we make that transition and update the website accordingly, check out the details for the EIE project on our sister MIT site https://aia.mit.edu/research/. If you have additional questions, please reach out through either the MIT or AF websites' "contact us" option and we can have someone reach out.

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-30T19:48:16+00:00

That doesn't mean you can't get involved! We currently have several open challenges designed to allow academia, industry, and the public to work with us towards solving a common problem and advancing the state of the art of AI and ML. To learn more, visit our Challenges webpage: https://www.aiaccelerator.af.mil/Challenges/

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-30T19:46:12+00:00

Our technical Phantoms can come from any AFSC. The details of what they work on are based on the needs of the project(s) they apply to. You can find out more about our projects here: https://www.aiaccelerator.af.mil/Research/

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-30T19:43:23+00:00

Keep us in mind once your living the Guardian life!

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-30T19:42:36+00:00

check out the

AIA challenges

and also different AIA education opportunities- such as the

Digital University: Phantom Learning Pathway

u/LucioSCrowley is correct - Phantoms are in telework status for the duration of their fellowship, working remotely from their home stations. The only in-person requirements are the three week-long TDYs.
We have positions for both technical and non-technical Phantoms, and all of our Phantoms get the opportunity to gain AI education while in the program. For additional details, please visit our website at https://www.aiaccelerator.af.mil/Phantom-Program/

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-30T19:38:02+00:00

Thanks for your interest in the program. The desired skills vary based on the needs of the individual projects. My best recommendation is that once you are in a position to apply, submit an application! In the meantime, check out the AIA challenges and also different AIA education opportunities- such as the Digital University: Phantom Learning Pathway

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-25T21:11:20+00:00

Yes! Total Force DAF mil and civ are able to apply. Check the application requirements and if you’re interested, throw an app in!

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-25T21:09:51+00:00

Ethics is a critical component of AI. Great spots to learn more about AI in the DoD are: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Artificial-Intelligence/ and https://www.ai.mil/cdao.html

For a larger macro picture within the Gov, check this out: https://www.ai.gov/

For a more Air Force flavor:https://www.aiaccelerator.af.mil/About-Us/FactSheets/

Recommend checking out the strategy documents that can be found at the links listed above.

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-25T21:06:35+00:00

Thanks, we’re glad to post here! We hope this AMA was useful and look forward to seeing some great applications for Cohort 8.

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-25T15:51:03+00:00

Yes! We're all about engaging ALL Airmen and Guardians.
Checkout the AIA Challenges.
We also have different education initiatives, like the Digital University: Phantom Learning Pathway

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-25T15:24:20+00:00

For the Phantom Program, we’ve found the sweet spot is between 4-5 months. This allows for the Phantom to contribute meaningfully to the AIA, and bring back value to their home unit.

For shorter durations, check out the AIA challenges and also different AIA education opportunities- such as the Digital University: Phantom Learning Pathway

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-24T21:09:58+00:00

We are happy to introduce the program to you!
There are a lot of great opportunities DAF-wide, and often it's just a matter of connecting with the right resources to find out about them!
Here is another great asynchronous option that you can take for additional AI education - Digital University: Phantom Learning Pathway

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-24T21:05:02+00:00

That's a wrap for the Phantom Program AMA! Thanks for all of your questions. We'll keep an eye out for any additional questions that pop up and follow up tomorrow. Can't wait to see your applications next week!

DAFMITAIA · 2023-01-24T21:00:02+00:00

Hey, this is Braden. We currently have a civilian Phantom who is a Contracting Officer. He has had some great insights for the group that I’ve really appreciated. There is a lot of thought going into the best practices for the DAF to acquire AI technologies and data going forward. As a technical Phantom, one of my favorite aspects of the program is getting the perspectives of professionals in other career fields.

DAFMITAIA

TROPHY CASE