Chartered 2 July 2026. Two roles connect the AIU to the force; five functional cells do the work. Every position is an additional duty.
These two roles aren't cells — they're the connective tissue between the AIU, Wing leadership, and State HQ.
Primary liaison to Wing and State HQ leadership. Prioritizes the project backlog, secures approvals, and ensures every solution is responsible, equitable, traceable, reliable, and governable. Owns the unit's battle rhythm, schedules, and resourcing.
The operational conduit and advocate between a Wing and the AIU. Facilitates technical reachback, champions Wing-specific requirements, and serves as the localized subject-matter expert on Wing-centric problem sets.
Every cell owns a distinct piece of the mission, from sourcing ideas to shipping code to shaping the long-range roadmap.
The AIU's ideation and experimentation element. Sources emerging use cases, cultivates grassroots problem statements from across the force, and pairs promising concepts with the Application Cell for rapid prototyping. Cell membership is currently forming.
The technical execution element — software engineers, cybersecurity experts, and computer science practitioners. Owns the end-to-end lifecycle: identification, rapid prototyping, development, deployment, and continuous sustainment of secure, scalable AI-enabled applications.
The instructional core of the AIU, cultivating an AI-Ready Force across all five geographically separated Wings. Designs and codifies curricula using hybrid in-person and virtual delivery, aligned with DoD directives and AI Ethical Principles.
The information and outreach arm. Authors and publishes a quarterly newsletter across JFHQ and all five Wings, spotlighting AIU milestones, operational successes, and Human-Machine Teaming in action — plus emerging DoD AI directives and best practices.
The strategic foresight element. Anticipates future mission requirements and emerging technologies, defines long-range AIU goals, and aligns AI integration with Multi-Domain Operations. AFWS graduates are highly preferred to lead this cell.
Three phases, each with concrete deliverables the unit is held to.
The AIU operates as an innovation and advisory integration cell.
Research and prototype AI tools to support CA ANG operations.
Consult with CA ANG Wings on process optimization and AI applicability.
Foster AI fluency among its members and partner units to build an AI-ready force.
Serve as the CA ANG's authorized liaison to the broader AI innovation ecosystem — engaging academic institutions, traditional defense partners, and commercial tech ventures to rapidly prototype solutions and ensure ethical use of AI.
All AIU operations and development align with the foundational principles in AFDN 25-1, Artificial Intelligence, and the ethical guidelines set by the DoD Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. See The Network for how the AIU connects to CDAO and its other partners.