How to Increase Experimentation in the DoD with Victor SALSA Lopez

Published: Jan. 23, 2024, 11 a.m.

This week, Bonnie is joined by Major Victor \u201cSALSA\u201d Lopez, Chief of Autonomy Operations for AFWERX, to discuss how to push past bureaucracy to enable rapid experimentation in the DoD. He shares his insights on leading through innovation, creating a team culture built on psychological safety, speeding up software implementation, and cutting through contracting red tape. Tune in for an in-depth exploration into the world of defense experimentation and ingenuity.

\n

TIMESTAMPS:

\n

(2:29) Transitioning from piloting to military tech

\n

(4:28) Why \u201cSALSA\u201d & where call signs come from

\n

(7:38) How to enable airmen to innovate effectively

\n

(13:31) Practical ways to facilitate widespread experimentation

\n

(15:05) How to balance leadership, growth, and autonomy

\n

(20:20) Why DoD fails at advertising

\n

(21:59) How to improve lack of incentives for tech utilization

\n

(25:56) The \u201cteam of teams\u201d approach

\n

(30:39) Contracting cheat codes

\n

(33:07) Why we need experimentation in warfare

\n

LINKS:

\n

Follow SALSA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-l-541512a2/

\n

Follow Bonnie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-evangelista-520747231/

\n

CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/

\n

Tradewinds AI: https://www.tradewindai.com/

\n

AFWERX: https://afwerx.com/

\n

Alexis Bonnell episode: https://www.defensemavericks.com/bridging-the-human-tech-divide-with-alexis-bonnell/