Key Takeaways
• Wright State alumnus Kevin Schmidt is helping develop artificial intelligence systems for U.S. national defense through the Air Force Research Laboratory
• Schmidt’s academic foundation in behavioral neuroscience guides his work on AI tools that support autonomous combat, medical resupply, and human performance analysis
• His contributions are part of ACT3, the Air Force’s premier research team focused on scalable and mission-adaptable AI
• Schmidt attributes his professional success to early mentorship and hands-on research at Wright State University
Wright State Graduate Drives AI Innovation for Air Force Defense Systems
Kevin Schmidt, Ph.D., a Wright State University alumnus, is at the forefront of national defense innovation, developing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
His work supports key defense initiatives including autonomous flight operations, aerial refueling, and battlefield medical logistics.
As a senior neuroscientist with Autonomy Capability Team 3 (ACT3)—AFRL’s elite AI research division—Schmidt helps lead projects that aim to modernize decision-making and autonomy within the Air Force and Space Force.
“There are tools that are needed and lives can be saved right now,” Schmidt said. “The big thrust now is how these AI tools can assist medical decision making and logistics. But there is also a longer-term aspect of these tools that we are envisioning for the next generation of AI.”
Academic Foundations: Neuroscience Meets National Security
Schmidt’s journey began at Wright State, where he earned a degree in behavioral neuroscience in 2011. He credits the university’s faculty and research opportunities as critical to his professional development.
• Schmidt collaborated with faculty on behavioral research, including a study on reducing stress in shelter dogs
• He received mentorship from professors including Dr. Dragana Claflin, Dr. Patricia Schiml, and Dr. Michael Hennessy
• These formative experiences helped him secure competitive SMART fellowships for graduate education in neuroscience
Following Wright State, Schmidt earned his master’s at George Mason University and completed a Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience at Northwestern University, supported by the Department of Defense’s Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) program.
Building Scalable, Mission-Adaptable AI Tools
At ACT3, Schmidt contributes to some of the Air Force’s most technologically advanced programs. These include:
• Autonomous Air Combat Operations involving F-16 aircraft
• AI-assisted medical resupply and logistics in combat environments
• Aerial refueling algorithms that could also apply to humanitarian missions
A key focus of ACT3’s work is scalability. The goal is to develop AI systems that are flexible enough to operate across mission types—whether for combat, transport, or emergency response.
“The same algorithms that are used for aerial refueling can be used for medical resupply,” Schmidt said. “So, it comes down to developing algorithms that scale across mission areas.”
ACT3 also integrates human performance measures into its research, ensuring that technological development aligns with real-world operational needs.
Continued Connection to Wright State
Although based in New Haven, Connecticut, Schmidt remains professionally connected to the Dayton, Ohio region through AFRL and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
He recently returned to Wright State to speak at the Department of Psychology’s brown bag lecture series, reflecting on his career and academic roots.
“I go the extra mile for Wright State because I am thankful for the people there and my experience,” he said. “That is where my career started.”
His involvement with the university underscores a lasting relationship and commitment to giving back through mentorship and dialogue with students.
Personal Interests and Balance
Outside his professional role, Schmidt is an avid rock and mountain climber—an interest that began during his time at Wright State. He credits the university’s rock-climbing wall and access to outdoor spaces like Red River Gorge in Kentucky for sparking a lifelong passion.
Kevin Schmidt’s trajectory—from neuroscience labs at Wright State to high-impact AI systems at the Air Force Research Lab highlights how multidisciplinary expertise is shaping the future of defense.
His work demonstrates how behavioral research and machine learning can intersect to create AI systems that are not only technically advanced but operationally meaningful.
By combining deep academic grounding with real-world urgency, Schmidt exemplifies a new generation of defense technologists those who understand that winning with AI means designing tools that think with purpose, not just precision.
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