From Insight to Impact: How AI is Reshaping Naval Operations

Original Broadcast on Innovation in Government on 4/29/25

Presented by Elastic & Carahsoft

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving from a theoretical advantage to a tactical asset for the U.S. Navy. Jared Smith, Senior Account Executive for DoD–USN at Elastic, outlined how AI and data analytics are improving decision-making and operational efficiency across the fleet.

Smith highlighted that AI adoption within the sea services is currently most impactful in internal data operations. With massive volumes of mission-critical data being generated every day, traditional methods of data analysis are no longer sufficient. Elastic’s platform and similar tools allow Navy personnel to search and analyze these datasets in minutes rather than hours—transforming tasks that used to require a full workday into half-hour efforts.

This speed and scale, Smith explained, is not just a technical achievement—it’s a matter of operational relevance. Decisions that previously took days or weeks can now be made in hours, allowing leadership to act in real time. Such responsiveness is key in dynamic maritime environments where every second counts.

What distinguishes this AI era, Smith noted, is the change in approach. Instead of applying technology for technology’s sake, commanders are identifying mission needs first and asking how industry tools can address those problems. This shift—from solution-first to problem-first thinking—has led to more focused, user-driven innovation.

Smith credited improved industry-government collaboration for this progress. Organizations like Elastic, staffed by former service members and domain experts, understand the operator’s perspective. They work directly with end users—not just decision-makers—to refine solutions that genuinely improve workflow and performance. That hands-on feedback loop is accelerating innovation cycles and leading to higher adoption rates in the field.

Finally, Smith emphasized the importance of measurable returns. Solutions must yield tangible operational benefits. Whether it’s reducing manual analysis time or improving intelligence accuracy, AI tools must justify their integration through meaningful results. Elastic, for instance, works with customers to identify specific use cases where technology can make a measurable difference.

The Navy's adoption of AI isn’t just a leap forward in technology—it’s a cultural evolution in how challenges are approached, solved, and scaled.

Key Takeaways:

• AI is Driving Speed at Scale: Tasks that took hours or days are now being completed in minutes using smart data tools.

• User-Centered Innovation Wins: The shift from “tech-first” to “problem-first” is resulting in more useful and relevant solutions.

• Industry-Government Synergy is Growing: Close collaboration with end users ensures better outcomes and faster adoption.