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Technically Speaking Podcast: Combating Grey Zone with AI

08 September 2026

From NIWC Atlantic Public Affairs

NIWC Atlantic senior scientist Mason Meredith discusses the "At Sea" project and Triton effort on Technically Speaking, explaining how underwater sensors, AI, and machine learning help warfighters detect and combat underhanded gray-zone warfare threats, such as cargo ships dragging anchors to sever critical infrastructure.

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In this episode of Technically Speaking, hosts Chelsie and Alex sit down with NIWC Atlantic Senior Scientist Mason Meredith to dive into the bleeding-edge technology behind combating “grey zone warfare.”

NIWC Atlantic’s role is a key component of a larger, award-winning Coalition Warfare Program project known as "AtSea" (Autonomous Tactical Seabed Infrastructure Protection System). Mason explains how the Navy and its coalition partners are leveraging underwater sensors, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to combat gray zone warfare—underhanded tactics used by near-peer adversaries, such as deliberately dragging cargo ship anchors to sever critical underwater infrastructure.

Listen and learn how this AI-driven technology acts as a virtual "junior operator," organizing massive amounts of complex ocean data to flag anomalies and provide warfighters with rapid decision advantages. Plus, hear about the team's recent competitive award win that secured several million dollars in funding to expand this critical maritime domain awareness capability alongside our allies.

Key Topics Covered:

Defining "Gray Zone Warfare" in the maritime domain.
How the projects use underwater sensors to protect seabed infrastructure.
The difference between raw data collection and creating actionable AI agents for warfighters.
The recent multimillion-dollar Coalition Warfare Program award win.

Produced by: NIWC Atlantic Public Affairs
Co-Hosts: Chelsie Holloway and Alex Jackson
Audio Technician: Joe Bullinger

Technically Speaking is an award-winning production of Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic Public Affairs. Information presented in the podcast represents the views and opinions of the original content creators and their guests and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of NIWC Atlantic, the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense or the U.S. government. Any mention of specific companies, products, services or content does not imply endorsement by NIWC Atlantic, the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense or the U.S. government.

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