Joint Air and Space Power Conference 2026

Panel 4

The Human Frontier: Training and Operating at Technology’s Edge

This panel examines the Human Frontier: whether NATO air forces are adapting their people, training, and institutions at the same pace as rapid technological change. As AI-enabled systems, autonomy, and advanced decision-support tools mature, the decisive variable remains the human element. How do we empower warfighters to build trust in machine outputs, recognise bias and manipulation, and retain meaningful control as the tempo of operations accelerates toward machine speed? The discussion will explore how human–machine teaming is changing the demands placed on aircrew, command-and-control teams, and the wider force, and what that means for training, evaluation, and professional development.

The panel will also address a practical reality: many Allies face recruiting and retention pressures. At the same time, the required skill set is expanding. Panellists will consider how NATO members can produce proficient aviators and air power practitioners faster and more cost-effectively without trading away readiness or judgement—leveraging high-quality synthetic training, cognitive tools, and modernised instructional approaches. Finally, the discussion will examine how emerging technologies can be harnessed not only to improve performance, but also to enhance resilience, quality of life, and career longevity—so that the Alliance develops “next-generation capabilities” in both its platforms and its people.

Related Read Ahead Essays

‘The Next Ten Years’ Thought Experiment

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Defining the ‘Domain’ in Multi-Domain

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