2nd annual Global Autonomous Systems Conference highlights expertise

August 9, 2024

The second annual Global Autonomous Systems Conference (GASC) begins Tuesday at Anchorage’s Dena’ina Center, featuring innovators and policy experts from Alaska and around the nation in the rapidly advancing world of uncrewed systems and artificial intelligence.

The three-day conference from Aug. 13-15 is hosted by the state of Alaska and the University of Alaska, and is sponsored by the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Geophysical Institute.

“Alaska is on the cutting edge of autonomous systems and drone technology thanks largely to the expertise of Alaskans at the University of Alaska Fairbanks,” Governor Mike Dunleavy said. “The Global Autonomous Systems Conference embodies our state motto, ‘North to the Future,’ and will bring together the best of both the private and public sectors to improve quality of life and safety standards for people across the globe.”

Attendees can expect insightful presentations from leading international experts, dynamic discussions among industry and policy leaders and numerous networking opportunities with innovators in the field of autonomous systems. Sessions will cover topics ranging from border security and drone application in the Arctic, to AI and emergency response.

“ACUASI’s research and development in unmanned aircraft technology continues to break new ground,” UA President Pat Pitney said. “Alaska is at the crossroads for global commerce, transportation and logistics, making this the perfect location for the meaningful dialogue that will occur at this conference. On behalf of the university, I’m pleased to welcome all of the speakers and attendees to this event.”

More than 100 industry leaders and experts in the expanding field of air, land and sea autonomous systems are slated to attend, including:

  • Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy

  • U.S. Representative Mary Peltola

  • Cathy Cahill, director of ACUASI

  • Katie Thomson, deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration

  • John Younkin, director of emerging technologies at Raytheon

  • Col. Timothy “Steiner” Meerstein, commander, Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center

  • Troy Lofven, cybersecurity adviser for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

  • Steven A. Bert, senior economist at North Carolina State University’s Institute for Transportation Research and Education

  • Lance R. Brady, National Uncrewed Systems Office chief for the U.S. Geological Survey 

  • Paige Brochu, director of the University of Vermont’s Spatial Analysis Lab

ACUASI has distinguished itself as a national leader in unmanned aircraft systems innovation and research and a leader in the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace. UAF is one of seven Federal Aviation Administration-designated unmanned aircraft systems test sites established to develop and test drone technology.

ACUASI’s many successes in the past year include:

  • Completion last month of a first-of-its-kind drone test flight in Cook Inlet, carrying a water sample from an offshore gas platf orm owned by Furie Inc. to the shore. 

  • The first flight in Alaska of a drone departing one airport and arriving at a controlled airport. ACUASI pilots in September 2023 flew a drone from the Nenana airport and landed it at Fairbanks International Airport. 

  • A new hangar in Nenana, a leased hangar in Palmer, and plans for hangars elsewhere in the state to serve as bases for drone cargo test flights and the testing of novel aircraft and payloads by Alaskan companies.

ACUASI Director Cathy Cahill said, “The people attending and presenting at the Global Autonomous Systems Conference see the potential for autonomous systems and artificial intelligence to change the world for the better while working to ensure these technologies are implemented safely.”  For more details or to register for the conference, visit autonomousalaska.com.