DATAWorks Speakers and Abstracts

Douglas Schmidt

Dean of the School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics, William & Mary
“Navigating Our AI-Enabled Future in High-Stakes Domains”

Speaker Bio: 

 

Dr. Douglas C. Schmidt is the inaugural Dean of William & Mary’s School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics. He previously served as the President-appointed, Senate-confirmed Director of Operational Test & Evaluation, advising the Secretary of Defense on testing Department of Defense systems. Earlier roles include Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Engineering, Associate Provost for Research, and Co-Director of the Data Science Institute at Vanderbilt University. He has also held research positions at Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute and served with DARPA and the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. His research spans software patterns, optimization, middleware for cyber-physical systems, and prompt engineering for generative AI. He earned sociology degrees from William & Mary and computer science degrees from UC Irvine.

Abstract: 

 

In this talk I explore the rapid rise of generative AI and its transformative impact on software engineering, national security, healthcare, and other critical sectors. Drawing from my experience as the Director of Operational Test & Evaluation, I emphasize that AI should be viewed “as augmented intelligence,” enhancing human capability—not replacing it. I introduce a taxonomy mapping AI’s role in both software development and system operations and highlighted the importance of prompt engineering—both in the small (individual tasks) and in the large (entire lifecycle processes). I also urge a shift-left mindset in testing and a focus on AI tools for analyzing non-code artifacts, such as requirements and regulatory documents. I warn against overhyping AI’s capabilities or underestimating its risks, especially in high-stakes safety- and mission-critical domains. Ultimately, I advocate for embracing AI literacy as a professional imperative, likening today’s shift to the biggest technological transformation in 2,400 years—and calling on engineers to be co-architects of a trustworthy, AI-augmented future.