During 2023, it was nearly impossible not to hear or read something in the news about artificial intelligence. In fact, with the rise of generative AI and large language models, we could almost call 2023 the year of artificial intelligence. It was the year that AI seemed to finally break away from technology publications and into mainstream media coverage about its pros and cons, of which there are many.

As the youngest UARC, ARLIS is concerned with some of today’s national security grand challenges. Sociotechnical factors driving influence, belief, trust, identity, and behavior now present themselves with new urgency as domains for competition, contention, and active conflict. It is no accident that this has happened in parallel with the growth of broadband networks. It is over these networks that the sociotechnical interactions critical to many ARLIS mission areas take place. Accordingly, ARLIS maintains a a practice in broadband network systems.

Baby Grogu on the Disney+ TV show, The Mandalorian, sells toys. ISIS fighters recruit followers by posing with kittens and cats. Japanese corporations and other entities use Kawaii culture and yurukyara mascots to promote products and initiatives. Smokey Bear preached fire safety for the U.S. Forest Service.What do all these things have in common? Using the power of cuteness to influence, sell, project a softer image, or motivate the public to social good.

Dr. Benjamin Knott has been named Director of Research for UMD’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security.

ARLIS researchers participated for the second time in the Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy for Multi-Agent Systems (ArtIAMAS) Field Experiment, held Aug. 2 at the Army Research Laboratory Robotics Research Collaboration Campus at Grace’s Quarters in Middle River, Md.

Security professionals now have a way to become certified in preventing insider threats through the Global Counter Insider Threat Professional (GCITP) Program. This program has been formally launched through the University of Maryland Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS), in partnership with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (OUSD (I&S)).

Dr. William Regli, former ARLIS executive director and UMD professor of computer science,  spoke about near-term artificial intelligence and other emerging technology applications for democratic societies and international security during a Sept. 21 roundtable discussion that included Czech Republic President Petr Pavel.Participants, including business leaders from both the Czech Republic and the United States, and U.S. and Czech government officials explored opportunities and challenges posed by the AI revolution for the Czech Republic.

On average, people spend about two to three hours a day on social media platforms. It’s used for different things like sharing thoughts, understanding what is happening in the world and influencing others.In a recently published article in Science Advances, UMD researchers have found that when individual emotions such as anger, contempt, love, admiration, cute/kama muta (an emotion described as 'being moved' or 'heart-warming') wonder, pride, sadness, and amusement are expressed in a post, there is a significant impact on whether it gets shared or not.

“ARLIS has already made significant contributions to AI engineering and AI assurance in its role as a UARC supporting the defense and intelligence communities,” said Dr. Craig Lawrence, ARLIS interim executive director. “Working with the Department of Commerce and the National Institute for Standards and Technology through the AISIC allows ARLIS to aid in coordinating policy, practice, and methodology in AI engineering and assurance across the federal government. ARLIS and UMD are in a position to make a real impact on AI governance from a whole of government perspective.”