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Presidio of Monterey hosts AI workshop

Photo By Jennifer Leggett | A panel of experts speaks to participants during an artificial intelligence workshop...... read more read more

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

08.26.2026

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. (Aug. 26, 2026) – Leaders from across the Presidio of Monterey gathered on the installation for an artificial intelligence workshop Aug. 24 and 25 to discuss the practical application of AI in support of mission success.

Leading the discussion was Thomas Easterly, director of the Plans, Analysis and Integration Office at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Easterly guided participants through the opportunities and challenges associated with generative AI and its growing role across the Army.

Leaders from across installation community, along with local partners, gathered with the common objective of finding practical ways AI could lead to more effective and efficient mission success. In addition, the group worked to identify innovative ways to improve operations while investing in the workforce.

"Our greatest strategic asset is our people,” said Julia Sibilla, PoM deputy to the garrison commander. “By bringing top-tier subject matter experts from Naval Support Activity Monterey and other IMCOM garrisons directly to our workforce, we are delivering relevant, high-impact professional development that ensures our team remains agile, efficient and ready to support our national security mission.”

Throughout the workshop, leaders examined how AI could support strategic planning, data analysis, resource management and other critical functions across the installation. Participants worked through organizational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats while identifying potential pilot projects tailored to their respective directorates.

"This program was an informative and valuable professional development opportunity to learn from distinguished leaders in the field of AI," saidIlknur Oded, dean of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center’s Undergraduate Russian School. "I am sincerely grateful that this opportunity was extended to all DLIFLC faculty and staff, allowing a broader audience to benefit from the knowledge, insights and discussions shared throughout the event."

Cross-organizational collaboration highlights the installation’s broader effort to cultivate a technologically agile workforce capable of meeting modern defense challenges.

“Technology like AI is no longer a prospect for the future — it is our reality today. Regardless of your current level of expertise, there is always room to learn, adapt and grow. At PoM we are fully committed to ensuring that every single employee has the training and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s federal landscape,” said Sibilla.

During the program, Easterly explained that while AI can dramatically increase productivity and reduce the time required to analyze information, leaders must remain engaged in the decision-making process.

"Anything that leaves a commander's or director's office using an AI model—it's still your product," Easterly said. "You can't blame AI for the mistake. You are the final authority."

As PoM continues exploring ways to modernize operations and improve services, leaders said the workshop marked an important step toward integrating emerging technologies while preserving the critical thinking, accountability and leadership that remain essential to mission success.

“AI doesn’t simply allow us to work faster — it creates new opportunities to work smarter, freeing time and space for balance, clarity and decision space,” said Col. Bridget Dalziel, PoM garrison commander. “If we all walk away 1% better, that’s a huge success in gained efficiency for all of us.”

For attendees, the workshop represented more than an introduction to emerging technology. It marked the beginning of a deliberate effort to harness AI as a force multiplier while preserving the human judgment and leadership necessary to support all service members and families within the Monterey military community.