Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is not just a hot topic, it is a priority for the Army. The emphasis on digital transformation represents a shift in operations and culture. This shift fundamentally changes how the Army delivers value through investments in transformative digital technologies needed to execute the full range of Army missions. In support of this initiative, the Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office with the support of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Data Engineering and Software (DASA-DES), is accelerating the digital transformation of the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW).

WarU

Through partnership with Coursera, Warfighting Acquisition University (WarU) is building out knowledge areas and credentials in software development, DevSecOps, artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber security that will be available at the foundational level. These learning resources will build in-demand skills taught by top instructors from leading universities and companies like Yale and Google.

Carnegie Mellon University Certificate Programs

Through partnership with Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, the DACM Office offers three certificate programs:

PROGRAM OVERVIEW – DDL

The Data Driven Leadership (DDL) Certificate Program is designed to equip U.S. Army leaders with the knowledge and capabilities needed to translate data and emerging technologies into measurable mission impact. This five-day, 11-module program addresses critical areas including data management and governance, data science and analytics, data-informed decision-making, emerging technologies, organizational change management, and data security. The program also helps leaders demystify artificial intelligence by developing a practical understanding of how AI works, where it can create value, and the organizational, data, technology, and governance foundations required for responsible and effective adoption. Participants explore how organizations can move from AI experimentation to operational implementation through strong data foundations, governance, talent alignment, process integration, and ongoing performance oversight. Collectively, the program prepares Army leaders to build and sustain robust enterprise data and AI capabilities that enable better decision-making, accelerate modernization, and advance the Army mission.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW – DDL EXEC

The Data Driven Leadership Executive (DDL EXEC) Certificate Program is designed specifically for the Army’s most senior uniformed and civilian leaders (O-7 to O-10 and ES Level I-V). Drawing from five modules of the full DDL curriculum, this focused executive program provides senior decision-makers with the strategic understanding needed to lead enterprise data and AI transformation. The program emphasizes the leadership decisions, organizational capabilities, and governance structures required to develop and execute an effective enterprise data strategy, strengthen data operations for AI enablement, and translate investments in AI, machine learning, and other data-centric technologies into mission outcomes. Aligned with the Army’s broader force modernization efforts, DDL-Exec prepares senior leaders to provide the vision, sponsorship, and oversight necessary to build a more agile, effective, and data-driven force.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW – LAAI

The Leading Agentic AI (LAAI) Certificate Program builds upon the success (and content base) of the Carnegie Mellon University Data Driven Leadership (DDL) course. Therefore, DDL graduates will be given priority seating. Those who have not graduated DDL will be in a Reviewed status until two weeks prior to the class start date. If seats remain open two weeks prior to the class start date, they may be filled by students in a Reviewed status. LAAI prepares Army leaders for the next evolution of artificial intelligence: AI systems capable of reasoning, taking action, executing complex workflows, and increasingly collaborating with people and other AI agents. As organizations move from traditional and generative AI toward more autonomous agentic systems, leaders must understand not only the technology, but also how to deploy, manage, secure, and govern it effectively. This four-module program covers agentic AI foundations and applications, AI/ML engineering and operations, agentic AI strategy and governance, security and assurance, and hands-on agent development. Through a combination of executive-level instruction, practical examples, and an applied build lab, participants develop the fluency needed to identify high-value use cases, evaluate organizational readiness, understand emerging risks, and lead the responsible deployment of agentic AI capabilities. The program ultimately equips Army leaders to translate rapidly evolving agentic technologies into scalable, secure, and mission-focused capabilities.

Tuition for DDL, DDL EXEC, and LAAI has been fully funded by the Army DACM Office; however, commands must fund the employee’s travel expenses.

BEFORE APPLYING, applicants must confirm that their organization will fund their TDY and familiarize themselves with the cancellation policy below:

CMU DDL cancellation requests made less than 30 days from the class start date require a memorandum signed by the first GO/SES in your chain of command to the Army DACM. The Army DACM has final approval. The memorandum must be submitted via the CAPPMIS Help Request portal at https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/index.cfm?fuseaction=support.helpRequest.

Cancellation requests must be made in AITAS, and you must reference the Workforce Management Inquiry (WMI) number of your memorandum in the student comments section of your AITAS cancellation request. In the event there is no one from the waitlist available to fill your seat, you must find someone to fill it to avoid penalties such as the inability to reapply for one year and/or tuition reimbursement.

Class schedules and registration information are provided below. Unless otherwise stated, all training is held at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, PA.

FY27 DDL

Class 001: December 7-11, 2026
Class 002: January 25-29, 2027
Class 003: February 22-26, 2027
Class 004: March 15-19, 2027
Class 005: April 19-23, 2027
Class 006: May 17-21, 2027
Class 007: June 7-11, 2027
Class 008: August 9-13, 2027
Class 009: August 23-27, 2027
Class 010: September 13-17, 2027
Class 011: September 27 – October 1, 2027

FY27 DDL EXEC (GO/SES ONLY)

Class 004: July 26-27, 2027

FY27 LAAI

Class 001: January 13-14, 2027
Class 002: March 1-2, 2027
Class 003: June 21-22, 2027 (Arlington, VA)
Class 004: August 18-19, 2027 (Arlington, VA)

Members of the Army Acquisition Workforce will apply via the Army Internet Training Application System (AITAS) at https://www.atrrs.army.mil/Aitas/. AITAS is a CAC-only system. Students must use a CAC-enabled computer to access the application. Students without an existing AITAS User Profile will be prompted to create one. When the supervisor is not found in AITAS, the supervisor must first log into AITAS and create his or her own user profile. Once the supervisor’s profile is created, the user will be able select them as his or her supervisor. Before applying, all users must ensure that their AITAS user profile is current, especially their email address and pay grade/rank. Data on the AITAS User Profile should match the data on the ACRB. Applications received with incorrect profile data will not be processed. An AITAS Quick Start Guide for students and supervisors is attached to this message; users will also have access to this Guide once they are logged in to AITAS; navigate to Support -> References near the top right of the AITAS screen.

Once the AITAS user profile has been created, or updated, navigate to My Career -> Search for Training. Search for CMU DDL, DDL EXEC, or CMU LAAI depending on interest, then click on “Find Available Classes.” Next, click on “Show Classes” then click on the “Apply” button for the desired class. The student and supervisor will receive automated emails from AITAS as the application moves through the registration process.

Applications will be prioritized by rank/grade as follows:

GO/SES = Priority 1
COL/GS-15 = Priority 2
LTC/GS-14 = Priority 3
MAJ/GS-13 = Priority 4
CPT/GS-12 (and below) = Priority 5

Applicants may see a lower priority on their application when they apply; however, priority levels will be reviewed and updated, as applicable, when the application is processed by the Army DACM Office course Program Manager. It is possible that a lower priority student could be bumped, up to one week before the class start date, if the seat is needed for a higher priority student. Classes showing “available seats” do not guarantee a reservation; seats are allocated by rank/grade and some seats are reserved for a specific group of students.

Applicants who receive a confirmed reservation will receive course information from Carnegie Mellon University instructors approximately one week before their class start date.

QUESTIONS?

Acquisition personnel should submit inquiries about this training via a CAPMISS Help Request at https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/index.cfm?fuseaction=support.helpRequest.

Non-acquisition personnel should send their inquiry to the USARMY Pittsburgh.