Original Broadcast Date: 05/03/2026

Presented by Samdesk

In an era defined by overwhelming amounts of data and rapidly evolving threats, Steve Dirks points to a familiar concept as a powerful guide for the future: the OODA loop. During his conversation on Fed Gov Today, Dirks explains how this long-standing military decision-making framework is finding new relevance through artificial intelligence.

The OODA loop—short for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act—originates from Air Force Colonel John Boyd. At its core, the framework is about speed. Dirks describes it as a decision platform built on the idea that if one side can move through the cycle faster than an adversary, it gains a clear strategic and operational advantage. That advantage comes from forcing the opponent into a reactive posture, constantly responding to situations that have already changed.

Today, the sheer volume of available data makes that speed both more critical and more difficult to achieve. Dirks highlights the explosion of signals generated across the modern environment. From smartphones to a wide range of sensors, billions of data points are created continuously. The challenge is no longer collecting information—it is processing and understanding it quickly enough to inform decisions.

This is where artificial intelligence plays a central role. Dirks explains that AI is already being used to perform foundational tasks that support the OODA loop. These include filtering vast streams of data, verifying accuracy, identifying misinformation and disinformation, translating languages, and ranking the severity of events. By handling these functions, AI helps convert raw signals into information that is usable for decision-making.

The next step, he notes, is moving beyond basic processing into more advanced capabilities. Dirks points to the emergence of “agentic AI” as a key development. These systems act more like analysts than tools, applying reasoning to the data they process. Instead of simply presenting information, they provide context and help generate decision-ready insights. This evolution brings the OODA loop closer to real-time execution at a scale that would be impossible for humans alone.

In practical terms, this means AI can continuously monitor data streams while aligning them with mission objectives. As conditions change, the system can generate alerts and recommendations, enabling leaders to act more quickly and confidently. Dirks emphasizes that this continuous monitoring and contextual analysis allow organizations to accelerate the entire decision cycle, strengthening their ability to stay ahead of emerging situations.

However, scaling these capabilities across a large and complex organization like the Pentagon introduces new challenges. Dirks points out that the potential user base can reach into the millions. While acquiring AI technology is relatively straightforward, ensuring that it is adopted effectively and used to its full potential is much more difficult.

He explains that successful implementation depends heavily on user adoption and organizational integration. Many software solutions are delivered through subscription models and include some level of support, but that alone is not enough to drive widespread use. Organizations need structured approaches to training, onboarding, and aligning the technology with mission needs.

To address this, Dirks describes the importance of partnerships. In his example, collaboration with an advisory firm brings in individuals who have deep experience within the Pentagon. These professionals understand the mission environment, the internal processes, and the relationships that shape how work gets done. By combining advanced AI technology with this kind of domain expertise, organizations can move beyond early adopters and reach a broader user base.

This combination is critical for unlocking the full value of AI investments. Without it, organizations risk deploying powerful tools that are underutilized or misunderstood. With it, they can ensure that users at all levels are equipped to incorporate AI into their workflows and decision-making processes.

Throughout the discussion, Dirks returns to the central theme of speed. The OODA loop remains relevant because it captures a fundamental truth about competition and conflict: the ability to decide and act faster than an opponent creates a meaningful advantage. Artificial intelligence does not replace this concept—it amplifies it.

By enabling faster observation, more accurate orientation, quicker decisions, and timely action, AI strengthens each stage of the loop. At the same time, it introduces new considerations around scale, adoption, and integration. Organizations must not only invest in the technology itself but also in the systems and partnerships that make it effective.

In the end, Dirks presents a clear picture of how old and new ideas come together. A framework developed decades ago continues to guide modern strategy, while emerging technologies provide the tools to execute it at unprecedented speed. The result is a more agile, responsive approach to decision-making—one that is increasingly essential in today’s data-driven environment.