And one such unknown today is artificial intelligence. Is it right to be afraid of AI? Or is this just an irrational fear of the unknown? To make artificial intelligence more understandable to its workforce, the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate recently invited Dr. Erick Brethenoux to explain how it all works and how we all can expect to benefit from it in the future. Brethenoux specializes in machine learning, artificial intelligence and applied cognitive computing on the AI team at Gartner Inc., a consulting firm AFRL information technology uses for help with its mission-critical priorities. To begin his talk, Brethenoux reassured his audience that artificial intelligence doesn't really exist.