"Human performance will be as important, if not more important, than technology in 2030," predicted a high-level Army intelligence expert.
The reason is that "we've seen an erosion in our technological advantage to overmatch adversaries," a trend that will continue, said Thomas Greco, G-2 for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.
Greco and Dr. Kira Hutchinson, director, intelligence/engagement, TRADOC, G-2, spoke during a Nov. 9 media teleconference that summarized findings of the Mad Scientist 2015 conference's "Human Dimension 2025 and Beyond: Building Cohesive Teams to Win in a Complex World," held Oct. 27 - 28 on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
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Brainpower Unleashed
The key to optimizing human performance, Greco said, is tapping into the energy and power of the human brain.
To reduce the risk of technological overmatch, the Army must create a culture of rapid learning, enhanced empathy and neural plasticity, he said.
Hutchinson said neural plasticity refers to structural and processing changes to the brain due to effective cognitive training. It was once thought that the brain developed to a great extent only in early childhood, but studies have since shown that the brain can continue to develop throughout a person's lifetime.
Army scientists, for example, have effectively used cognitive therapy to mitigate the effects of damage to the brain following wounds and injuries, she said. But in the current context, the idea is to explore how neural plasticity can also work to help healthy Soldiers perform even more optimally.
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The reason is that "we've seen an erosion in our technological advantage to overmatch adversaries," a trend that will continue, said Thomas Greco, G-2 for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.
Greco and Dr. Kira Hutchinson, director, intelligence/engagement, TRADOC, G-2, spoke during a Nov. 9 media teleconference that summarized findings of the Mad Scientist 2015 conference's "Human Dimension 2025 and Beyond: Building Cohesive Teams to Win in a Complex World," held Oct. 27 - 28 on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Brainpower Unleashed
The key to optimizing human performance, Greco said, is tapping into the energy and power of the human brain.
To reduce the risk of technological overmatch, the Army must create a culture of rapid learning, enhanced empathy and neural plasticity, he said.
Hutchinson said neural plasticity refers to structural and processing changes to the brain due to effective cognitive training. It was once thought that the brain developed to a great extent only in early childhood, but studies have since shown that the brain can continue to develop throughout a person's lifetime.
Army scientists, for example, have effectively used cognitive therapy to mitigate the effects of damage to the brain following wounds and injuries, she said. But in the current context, the idea is to explore how neural plasticity can also work to help healthy Soldiers perform even more optimally.
Read more »
