Cognitive Command of Human-Autonomy Systems in EDGE Capabilities

This work defines and delineates the concept of “EDGE Capabilities”, an acronym for Emergent, Dynamic, Global, and Evolutionary, as a way forward to development, deployment and command of Human-Autonomy Systems and capabilities. The concept emphasizes the coordination of kinetic and non-kinetic means of power across physical, information, and cognitive dimensions, can enable asymmetric exploitation of vulnerabilities and render irrelevant an opponent’s abilities, will, structures, and systems. The field of Human-Autonomy Systems (HAS) deals with how humans and automated intelligent artificial systems can work together to solve complicated tasks. This is particularly relevant in the domain of cyber-defence, where the speed and efficiency of response is of paramount importance. One solution that has been proposed is based on the Joint Cognitive Systems (JCS) body of research, defining and studying systems which are capable of jointly and independently detecting, identifying and engaging kinetic and non-kinetic threats and actors across physical, information, and cognitive dimensions. We identified five key characteristics of EDGE capabilities. First, they are highly dynamic and non-linear. Second, they require collaboration within and between different organizations and their cultures. This includes the third point, that they engage people with different backgrounds. The fourth characteristic is that EDGE capabilities are superior regarding managing and maintaining mission-critical availability, versatility and efficiency. Fifth and last, they are employed in a multi-domain perspective. EDGE capabilities can be characterized as emergent, enabling deployment with a high level of fluidity and flexibility, matching the variation of the operational environment. Every commander and every human and artificial agent must develop a capability for collective sensemaking and interaction to enable a comprehensive detailed system insight, leading to safe and efficient mission accomplishment. We propose formulating a future-oriented essence of EDGE Cognitive Command, with equal relevance for all agents constituting a Human-Autonomy System.