The US Army is preparing an artificial intelligence (AI) pilot to simplify and accelerate human resources (HR) processes across its Integrated Personnel and Pay System–Army (IPPS-A).
The upcoming HR Intelligent Engagement Platform will act as a “disruptive technology pilot,” exploring how AI can automate routine administrative tasks such as leave requests, filling out forms, and troubleshooting within the army’s personnel system.
Col. Matthew Paul, IPPS-A project manager, said the army is using an open solicitation and competitive down-select approach to identify potential contractors for the pilot, per the Army Times.
The service is currently prototyping ways to determine how AI can connect HR and non-HR systems.
“So, if I’m a soldier and I’m just on a prompt, how do I use a single prompt to get the information that I need?” Paul stated.
A contract award for the AI pilot is expected this year, though officials have not set a fixed deployment timeline.
Streamlining HR Transactions
The system aims to complete HR tasks automatically through simple prompts, including checking soldiers into new units while removing them from old ones, or filling out and approving leave forms.
An agentic AI tool to help soldiers troubleshoot issues in the IPPS-A mobile app is also being tested.
Other planned features include enhancing the soldier talent profile, allowing troops to highlight skills and experiences for future assignments or career opportunities.
Looking ahead, officials are eyeing digitizing unit in-processing through a mobile workflow. Soldiers could scan a QR code on arrival, triggering automatic check-in and step-by-step virtual guidance.
This move could cut the need to visit multiple physical offices and improve unit readiness, noted Col. Becky Lust, the US Army’s Functional Management Division Director.
Modernization With AI
The AI pilot is part of the army’s ongoing modernization of IPPS-A, a nearly $600-million program launched in January 2023 after years of development delays.
Despite initial challenges, continuous updates have added new functions and improvements, including mobile DD-214 previews that let soldiers correct discharge documents before leaving the service.
