A team from the Defense Health Agency’s Chief Data and Analytics Office (DHA CDAO) snagged second place at a hackathon hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association, showcasing how AI can tackle critical challenges in military readiness.
The challenge, part of an annual emerging tech expo in Washington, D.C., brought together top minds from government, industry, and academia to create tech solutions that address real-world defense problems.
The DHA CDAO team, known as Team MEDAL (Medical Evaluation for Defense Airmen’s Readiness), competed against 50 other teams with an AI-driven solution to automate aeromedical clearance for US Air Force pilots — a crucial step in getting pilots back on duty after medical issues or injuries.
Typically, clearing health waivers can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several days, posing a “known constraint on pilot availability.”
The MEDAL’s software prototype reportedly slashed that time to under 30 seconds, covering all relevant reviews from a servicemember’s medical history to authorization requirements.
The team said they combined synthetic data from the Pentagon’s unified digital health record known as MHS GENESIS with existing medical policies to build the AI tool.
‘Transforming’ Processes
Following the hackathon, the group continued refining the prototype and exploring additional ways AI could support defense operations.
Barinderjeet Dhillon, an operations research analyst and MEDAL member, said the project showed how AI can make things more optimized, enhancing clinical decision-making and improving overall soldier readiness.
“This experience allowed us to test readiness-focused use cases, transforming how we approach medical readiness solutions within the DHA,” she said. “We’re excited to continue piloting AI solutions in support of the agency’s mission.”
