Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence, USA (Ret.), President and CEO of AFCEA International

Presented by AFCEA International

February 4, 2025

Preparing for the Future: Readiness, Technology, and Industry Collaboration

At WEST 2025 in San Diego, Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence, USA (Ret.), President and CEO of AFCEA International, emphasized the urgency of military readiness in the face of evolving global threats, particularly the 2027 timeline set by China regarding Taiwan. She highlighted the critical need to train and equip service members with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to maintain a strategic advantage. Additionally, she underscored the importance of retaining skilled personnel through quality-of-life improvements and career incentives. Lawrence also noted the strengthening relationship between government, industry, and academia, emphasizing that collaboration is more essential than ever to address emerging security challenges.

Key Takeaways:

1. Readiness is Paramount: The military must prepare today—not wait until 2027—to ensure personnel are trained and equipped to counter global threats effectively.
   
   
2. Technology is Key, but Training is Crucial: Advancements in AI, machine learning, and other defense technologies are vital, but their effectiveness depends on properly trained personnel.
   
   
3. Stronger Industry Partnerships: The dialogue between government, industry, and academia is at an all-time high, as collaboration is essential to addressing evolving security threats.