This Month's Latest Tech News in Chesapeake, VA - Wednesday April 30th 2025 Edition

This month, Chesapeake, VA is at the forefront of transformative AI and technology integration, with innovations spanning education, healthcare, defense, and workforce development.

Old Dominion University introduced its customized chatbot, Monarch Mind, providing a safe and versatile AI assistant for faculty and students:

“This is more than just our version of ChatGPT. It is an interface … that brings all of the basic large language models so people have the opportunity to pick and choose.” - ODU Associate VP of Digital Innovation, Chrysoula Malogianni

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are leveraging AI across over 60 programs to enhance decision-making and readiness, though adoption is tempered by the need for greater understanding and robust IT infrastructure, as explored in this WAVY interview with Admiral Caudle on AI technology in the U.S. Navy.

Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding AI use cases nationally, including tools that increased adenoma detection rates in colonoscopies by 21%, as reported by MeriTalk on VA's AI expansion efforts.

To keep pace, local institutions also focus on upskilling for an AI-driven environment - explore Nucamp's affordable coding and cybersecurity bootcamps and scholarship options on Nucamp's scholarships and bootcamps page.

The U.S. Navy is rapidly scaling up its artificial intelligence initiatives, with Admiral Daryl Caudle confirming,

“There's probably some 60 different programs that I can say artificial intelligence is actually working in today in some mature way for the Navy that most people wouldn't be thinking about.”

These programs span domains from predictive maintenance and health monitoring of sailors to advanced warfighting applications and unmanned systems, demonstrating AI's integration from daily readiness to complex battlespace decision-making as detailed by WAVY.com's military technology report.

Project Overmatch is at the forefront, connecting fleets, weapons, and sensors under a unified operational architecture to enhance multi-domain operations alongside ongoing efforts by the Navy's Digital Warfare Office and new Robotics Warfare Specialist roles according to GovWin's Navy AI expansion analysis.

Partnerships with the Defense Innovation Unit and initiatives like the Replicator project drive adoption of AI and machine learning for countering evolving threats and accelerating technology deployment.

A recent Seapower Magazine overview highlights ongoing prototyping, R&D, and industry collaborations, all aimed at ensuring the Navy remains agile and lethal in a changing global security environment.

The table below summarizes key Navy AI implementation areas:

AI Program Area	Key Applications
Personnel Readiness	Predictive health monitoring, mental/physical/dental readiness
Battlespace Decision Support	Target identification, intelligence data collection, unmanned systems
Enterprise Operations	AI-powered helpdesks, security classification, robotics support

Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms is raising the bar for sailor health and operational readiness by implementing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt training, equipping medical professionals with advanced process improvement skills rooted in the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology.

This initiative, part of Navy Medicine's "Get Real, Get Better" campaign, directly addresses challenges like patient wait times, lab testing, and surgical suite efficiency.

A standout case improved main operating room compliance with Department of Defense surgical start times from 34% to 90%, elevating process yield by 164.71% and achieving a significant jump in Sigma Level - detailed in the table below.

Sailors must complete two DMAIC projects for certification, which offers both military and civilian career benefits.

Metric	Pre-LSS	Post-LSS
Start Time Compliance	34%	90%
Process Yield Improvement	-	+164.71%
Sigma Level	0.588σ	2.282σ

As LSS instructor James Bloomer notes,

“Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training introduces DMAIC methodology to identify and increase efficiency opportunities by breaking down potential variables, reducing errors and defects, and reducing risk. LSS reduces waste and variation, improving patient care speed, quality, and safety.”

These advancements are essential in a Navy that values innovation, resilience, and operational effectiveness, and they underscore why Navy Medicine is empowering its teams to lead in healthcare readiness and patient safety.

Explore the full impact of Lean Six Sigma at Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms in the official Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms Lean Six Sigma process improvement news release.

For a broader look at ongoing health readiness efforts, see the comprehensive U.S. Navy Health of the Force Report on health readiness efforts.

And to discover more about the inspiring leadership recognized within Navy Medicine, read about the 2025 Navy Medicine Sailor of the Year leadership recognition.

AI algorithms are rapidly transforming combat decision-making in active military theaters, with the U.S. Navy leveraging cutting-edge technologies like deep learning for vessel classification and threat alerts, as highlighted in the work of Empower AI's Besma Abidi.

At the recent WEST 2025 conference, Navy and defense leaders emphasized the acceleration of autonomous systems across maritime operations, noting initiatives such as the Replicator program, which targets deployment of hundreds of unmanned platforms by August 2025.

Lieutenant Artem Sherbinin, CTO of Task Force Hopper, identified three AI priorities for the Navy: “Outthink adversaries, enhance administrative work, and keep 80% of the combat surge-ready fleet.” These AI-powered systems process enormous amounts of data - Navy warships reportedly generate 150TB of data daily - necessitating robust data ecosystems to support fleet readiness.

However, security remains paramount; DARPA's new SABER project aims to assess and bolster the resilience of battlefield AI against emerging threats like data poisoning and adversarial attacks.

The need for secure, adaptive, and mission-ready AI is underscored by ongoing research into AI vulnerabilities as described in this Military & Aerospace Electronics article on AI cyber vulnerabilities.

For further insight into the Navy's latest AI deployments and autonomous initiatives, see Carahsoft's comprehensive summary of top insights from WEST 2025.

Rear Adm. Doug Small (Ret.) further contextualizes the shifts in naval warfare, observing,

“Advances in AI at the edge enable rapid progress in autonomy and decision support, reshaping maritime dominance.”

Detailed reflections on these changes can be found in his guest blog on changes in naval warfare.

Navy leadership is strongly championing operational technology advancement, with Admiral Daryl Caudle, Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, at the forefront.

Under his guidance, the Navy now deploys artificial intelligence across an impressive 60 mature programs, boosting both personnel readiness and operational warfighting decisions.

Admiral Caudle explained,

“At the heart of artificial intelligence, there's going to be an algorithm, and an algorithm is maybe, in my opinion, a fancy way to say a weighted equation of correlations that have been made for a known outcome versus a data set in which I can look at to make those correlations.”

AI now supports key Navy functions - from predictive analytics on sailors' health to real-time threat identification in complex environments like the Red Sea.

Admiral Caudle's “One Atlantic” strategic initiative further increases the Navy's global agility, enabling a dynamic allocation of forces across hemispheres and reducing mission resources by up to 30%.

See the comparisons below:

Initiative	Key Outcome
One Atlantic Concept	Dynamic force sharing; missions completed with ~30% fewer forces
AI Deployment	60+ active programs improving readiness and mission precision
Combat Learning	Doctrinal adjustments now in days (formerly a year+)

As Caudle notes, “Our mission is very important.

We want people to understand that we're pretty capable and pretty lethal.” To explore these advances and leadership insights, read more in Tech on Deck: The Use of AI Technology in U.S. Navy, find operational strategy details in One Atlantic: The Navy's Evolving Blueprint for Global Agility, and review Admiral Caudle's career and expertise in NC State Alumni Profile: Admiral Daryl Caudle.

Artificial intelligence is swiftly enhancing the U.S. military's personnel readiness and logistics management, with the Navy leading efforts in both operational and support domains.

AI-driven platforms like BigBear.ai's Shipyard AI® are optimizing submarine construction by minimizing costly delays and resolving capacity constraints, as the system enables Austal USA to maximize shipyard efficiency and maintain high defense readiness (AI streamlines U.S. submarine construction with Shipyard AI).

Senior naval leaders report that over 60 AI programs are now deployed, impacting everything from warfighting environments to everyday sailor preparedness; for example, AI algorithms predict mental, physical, and dental readiness, allowing for targeted health interventions before deployment (AI transforms Navy readiness and daily sailor support).

Further, the Navy's Project Overmatch is integrating AI across strike groups and fleets, connecting weapons systems, sensors, and enterprise support functions, with new roles such as Robotics Warfare Specialists emerging to meet these technical needs (Project Overmatch and AI in Navy multi-domain operations).

The following table summarizes current applications:

AI Application	Domain	Outcome
Shipyard AI®	Submarine Production	Increased efficiency, fewer delays
Health Predictions	Personnel Readiness	Improved mental, physical, dental health
Project Overmatch	Fleet Operations	Connected systems, faster responses

As Admiral Caudle put it,

“AI gives us predictive capability based on looking at these data sets compared to historical large data sets and giving folks better ways to help sailors…”

- underscoring how AI is not just modernizing logistics, but shaping a more resilient and agile naval force.

At Hampton VA Medical Center, AI-assisted cancer screening is transforming early breast cancer detection and patient outcomes for local veterans. Recent reports highlight how advanced artificial intelligence systems, such as the Transpara Breast Care AI platform, act as a “second set of eyes” for radiologists by analyzing 3D mammograms and flagging suspicious areas as low, intermediate, or elevated risk to enhance accuracy and safety.

This technology, trained on over a million mammograms, recently helped Army veteran Valerie Jackson discover breast cysts that might have gone undetected for months - a relief for someone with a family history of cancer.

As Jackson shared,

“Honestly, because of you all, I wouldn't have even found any of this out until June... At least I know what I have to move towards.”

Medical experts emphasize that the marriage of AI and traditional radiology not only reduces human error and fatigue but also increases diagnostic confidence, especially for women with dense breast tissue or ambiguous findings.

The following table summarizes key benefits of this approach:

Feature	Benefit
Wide-Angle 3D Mammography	Detects smaller, earlier-stage cancers with high-resolution imaging
Automated Breast Density Measurement	Improves scan accuracy for women with dense tissue
AI “Second Set of Eyes”	Reduces missed diagnoses by flagging subtle abnormalities

With early intervention greatly increasing the odds for a cure, local healthcare leaders urge annual screenings and applaud AI as a proactive safety net for patients facing elevated cancer risks.

As more patients continue to benefit from these advancements, the Hampton VA Medical Center stands out as a regional leader in integrating AI for life-saving health outcomes in Chesapeake and beyond.

AI is having a transformative impact on early disease detection for Chesapeake-area veterans, addressing critical health disparities and supporting timely medical intervention.

At the forefront, the Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding the use of ClearRead CT, an advanced AI system that improves the clarity and consistency of chest imaging for lung cancer screening - a necessity given that nearly 8,000 veterans are diagnosed with lung cancer annually, often due to increased exposure to environmental risks and smoking rates.

This technology is currently active in 14 out of 18 regional VA networks, with full deployment expected soon, ensuring at-risk veterans across the VA system gain access to enhanced diagnostics.

The VA's mission to leverage trustworthy AI is further emphasized by collaborations and investments in predictive AI tools, such as partnerships to forecast and prevent acute conditions like kidney injuries up to 48 hours in advance, with trials showing over 90% of severe cases detected earlier compared to traditional methods.

As described by VA Secretary Robert Wilkie,

“These are exciting times for research and innovation at VA. Studies like this can have a significant effect not only in the Veteran community, but people throughout the nation.”

AI-driven solutions are also being explored through major academic and industry collaborations, including Leidos' $10 million investment with the University of Pittsburgh to accelerate digital pathology and disease management tools targeting underserved populations and veterans.

These collective efforts are shifting the healthcare paradigm from reactive to proactive - delivering earlier interventions, advancing chronic disease management, and upholding the VA's commitment to world-class care.

For an in-depth look at the VA's integration of AI for veterans' health, see the coverage on AI-powered CT advancements for lung cancer screening, organizational AI strategy at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs AI hub, and nationwide progress through predictive machine learning partnerships for disease prevention.

Despite facing persistent budget constraints, the Hampton VA Medical Center continues to prioritize the essential role of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation in delivering comprehensive health services to veterans in Chesapeake, VA. The center offers an impressive range of programs - from mental health and audiology to telehealth and rehabilitation - supported by ongoing initiatives such as the VA's AI Tech Sprint competition funding innovative healthcare solutions, which funds solutions to reduce healthcare worker burnout and streamline clinical documentation.

However, nationwide challenges like the VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) project, which is now over budget at an estimated $20 billion and behind schedule, underscore the financial pressures on technology adoption and modernization in the federal health system (analysis of VA Electronic Health Record modernization challenges).

Locally, recent oversight reports also highlight the need to improve care coordination, address social work staffing shortages, and ensure robust safety practices at the Hampton facility (VA Office of Inspector General reports for Hampton VA Medical Center).

While fiscal limitations remain a reality, these efforts affirm that AI and digital health remain foundational elements for sustaining quality care, patient safety, and operational efficiency throughout the region.

In Chesapeake and across Virginia, expanding healthcare access for veterans is increasingly driven by a combination of technological innovation, patient advocacy, and policy action.

The Hampton VA Medical Center now deploys dedicated patient advocates to help veterans resolve problems, navigate care options, and address unique needs for minority and women veterans - efforts that do not require a referral and aim to ensure no one is left behind in the healthcare system (Hampton VA Medical Center patient advocacy services).

Meanwhile, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Kevin Cramer and Jacky Rosen seeks to enhance patient advocacy for rural veterans nationwide, ensuring barriers to care such as geography do not impede access.

Senator Rosen emphasizes,

“Our bipartisan legislation would help improve access to care and resources by establishing VA patient advocates specifically for rural veterans, helping to make sure that they don't miss out on benefits because of where they live.”

(Strengthening VA Patient Advocacy for Rural Veterans Act of 2025 details).

Further technological integration, exemplified by partner organizations like Pacific Dental Services, is helping to break down silos in care by merging dental and medical health records, thus enabling seamless data sharing and more coordinated care (Pacific Dental Services technology innovations).

Community organizations, healthcare professionals, and policymakers are forging new alliances - supported by tech-driven platforms and on-the-ground advocates - to address both the systemic obstacles and day-to-day challenges so that veterans across Chesapeake and rural Virginia can access the quality care they have earned.

Veterans in Chesapeake, VA, and beyond are experiencing improved health outcomes thanks to a blend of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and a stronger focus on patient engagement.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is spearheading efforts to develop trustworthy AI tools that personalize care, streamline benefits delivery, and support proactive management of chronic conditions, aligning with national initiatives to modernize healthcare technology through its official AI vision statement.

At the operational level, AI-driven platforms enhance administrative efficiency, enable real-time risk identification for at-risk populations, and automate processes such as check-ins and follow-up care, shifting veteran healthcare from reactive to predictive and preventative models.

Industry insights reveal that over 60% of U.S. healthcare organizations have already adopted AI-driven solutions, with this number expected to grow further into 2025 as organizations integrate predictive analytics and automated engagement tools.

The impact on diagnostics and patient safety is evident in advancements like AI-powered decision support for atrial fibrillation procedures, which recently demonstrated that

“AI-driven, real-time analysis not only enhances the success of the procedure but also ensures patient safety, marking a promising advance in electrophysiology.”

“With the introduction of the DeePRISM model, we are taking a significant step forward in the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. Chih-Min Liu, Taipei Veterans General Hospital.

As predictive and personalized AI technologies continue to mature, veterans are benefiting from fewer hospital readmissions, tailored treatment plans, and enhanced care coordination - a transformation powered by collaboration between government leadership, medical professionals, and cutting-edge health tech focused on interoperability and data integrity.

Chesapeake and the broader Hampton Roads region have emerged as vital hubs for AI and tech innovation, driven by new investments and a surge of high-growth startups.

The opening of ViDARR Inc.'s $2.69 million defense technology facility in Virginia Beach not only generates 40 skilled jobs, but, as Governor Glenn Youngkin affirms,

“highlights the strategic importance of the region for the defense industry and strengthens Virginia's position in defense innovation and economic growth”

(ViDARR's new manufacturing facility).

Meanwhile, Northern Virginia startups like Defcon AI and Parry Labs have secured $44 million and $80 million respectively to advance AI-driven defense and cybersecurity platforms, contributing to a record $2.5 billion in U.S. defense tech investment by August 2024 - already outpacing the entire previous year (defense tech funding report).

Across Virginia, innovation is further underscored by funding wins for AI, biotechnology, and sustainability startups, while national figures show Q1 2025 global venture funding hit $113 billion - 53% of which targeted artificial intelligence, fueling new opportunities in both local and global ecosystems (Q1 startup investment trends).

For Chesapeake residents aiming to enter this dynamic workforce, Nucamp bootcamps offer accessible pathways to reskill in web development, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies, with scholarships and flexible financing for diverse learners.

This blend of regional investment, startup excellence, and robust tech education cements Chesapeake's leading role in shaping the future of AI and technology innovation.