Overview
This page documents upcoming events scheduled in the September 2021 HS Col newsletter that have implications for neurocognitive rights advocacy and cognitive liberty policy.
NDIA Human Systems Conference - March 2022
Theme: "Teaming at the Edge-Joint Cognitive Systems"
Significance:
The conference theme directly addresses how human cognition integrates with autonomous systems—a critical area for understanding neurocognitive rights implications. The phrase "Joint Cognitive Systems" suggests research into how humans and machines share cognitive load, which has direct relevance to:
- Neurotechnological surveillance capabilities (monitoring human-machine teaming effectiveness)
- Cognitive liberty concerns (how much cognitive processing should be outsourced to AI?)
- Military applications of brain-computer interfaces
Planning Status: Far in the future as of September 2021, with ongoing coordination between NDIA Human Systems Division and HS Col to build a strong program.
Col Annual Meeting - September 28-29, 2021 (Virtual)
Objectives:
- Review FY21 accomplishments
- Discuss FY22 strategy
- Provide guidance on improving transition from basic to applied research
- Engage in presentations between the HS Col and vital partners/stakeholders
- Find new collaboration opportunities
Key Agenda Items:
- Steering Group Member Panel on improving basic-to-applied research transition
- Service Portfolios review
- Subarea Updates (PAE&T, PSWP, SICP)
- Partner and stakeholder presentations
Significance: This annual meeting represents a critical forum for understanding the direction of human systems research funding priorities. The panel on "how to improve the transition from basic to applied research" is particularly relevant—it indicates DoD's focus on moving cognitive liberty-infringing technologies from theoretical development to operational deployment.
Roadmap Review with OSD - October 26, 2021
Format: Dr. Zbylut will brief the latest HS Col roadmap to OSD staff as part of an 18-month cycle for all Cols to brief.
Context: The last round was in 2019; this is a briefing of a draft of 2021's Roadmap to the Steering Group at the Annual Meeting to allow time for final adjustments on SG guidance.
Significance: The roadmap represents DoD's strategic priorities for human systems research. This briefing to OSD staff indicates that neurotechnological surveillance and cognitive enhancement capabilities are being positioned as critical modernization investments. The 18-month cycle suggests ongoing refinement of these priorities based on operational feedback.
Independent R&D (IR&D) TIM with Industry - June 2021 (Completed)
Format: Virtual forum co-hosted with Bio-Medical and Biotechnology Cols
Results:
- Real-time feedback provided to 13 companies presenting over $20 million in IR&D across 30 projects
- Over 75 government and industry participants
- Post-TIM survey planned for October
Significance: This event demonstrates the growing integration of private sector neurotechnological research with DoD programs. The substantial investment ($20M+) indicates strong industry interest in human systems capabilities that may have cognitive liberty implications.
Col Information Exchange and Review to OSD - June 2021 (Completed)
Purpose: Present current technology investments, program successes, and identify future opportunities to inform resource decisions.
Additional Opportunity: Review and determine vectoring needs between Cols and Modernization Priorities roadmap champions.
Significance: This event directly links human systems research funding to DoD modernization priorities. The ability to "vector" resources indicates that cognitive liberty-infringing technologies are being prioritized alongside traditional military capabilities.