SAMS Puts AI in the Fight: Student-Built Module Trains AI-Ready, Lethal Leaders

AI education at SAMS: Lethality through practical, student-built learning

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas - August 29, 2025. In late July, the Advanced Military Studies Program (AMSP) at the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) ran its first experimental, three-day module: Practical Application of Artificial Intelligence. The intent was direct-build officers who can lead AI-enabled formations and increase lethality through effective education and training.

"AI is changing the character of warfare. Our graduates have got to be ready to lead formations powered by AI-and that's why we did something about it," said Col. Dwight Domengeaux, Director, SAMS.

Why SAMS bet on AI now

Dr. Bruce Stanley, AMSP Director, pushed the institution to take a calculated risk. "Did we accept risk? Yes. We did-to create a critical learning opportunity for our students," he said. The team trusted faculty and students to make it work-and they did.

Inside the experimental module

The design was lean and focused: ten and a half hours of contact time split over three lessons. "We covered a lot of ground with our students in three days," said Dr. Jacob Mauslein, associate professor, AMSP. Topics included AI theory, ethical considerations, applying AI tools, and leading AI-enabled organizations.

Student-built, faculty-mentored

Six AMSP students from the Class of 2025, mentored by two faculty, built the module as part of their Future Operational Environment course. Their final draft was adopted with minimal changes and delivered to the Class of 2026. "Incorporating students as full participants let us co-develop lesson objectives and materials that deeply mattered to them," said faculty lead Dr. Luke Herrington.

Learning by doing with mission-focused tools

The team met students where they were and moved them to the next level. "SAMS is a warfighting school-so we chose learning activities that would help us become more lethal warfighters with AI," said Maj. Justin Webb, PhD, one of the developers. Students worked hands-on with tools such as CamoGPT and Ask Sage over several hours.

Mindsets shifted in three days

"At first, I didn't know what I didn't know," said Army Maj. Stuart Allgood. "But by the end of the first day my thinking about AI had changed. After the second day, I could use AI tools I had never even heard of."

Maj. Callum Knight, an intelligence officer from the United Kingdom, put it plainly: "Before this course I viewed AI as just a data point. Now that I've experienced what's possible with AI, I realize it's an imperative that is going to impact everything I do going forward."

What educators can use from this

• Start with a clear purpose tied to outcomes. SAMS linked AI learning directly to operational lethality.
• Co-create with learners. Student developers built content they cared about-and peers valued it.
• Accept managed risk. Pilot, measure, and refine rather than wait for perfect conditions.
• Blend ethics, theory, tools, and leadership. Teach the why, the guardrails, the how, and the command implications.
• Meet learners where they are. Scaffold skills from basic prompts to applied workflows.
• Use short, high-intensity formats. Three focused lessons produced visible mindset shifts.
• Anchor learning in authentic tasks. Tie exercises to real missions, not abstract demos.

What's next at SAMS

"Based on what our students got out of this, we intend to add more AI learning moments across the program," said Dr. Stanley. The immediate priority is integrating AI into the upcoming operational warfare practical exercise.

Where AMSP fits within SAMS

AMSP is one of three programs within SAMS. The others are the Advanced Strategic Leadership Studies Program (ASLSP), a Senior Service College equivalent, and the Advanced Strategic Planning and Policy Program (ASP3), also known as the Goodpaster Scholars, a post-graduate degree program.

Resources for curriculum builders

• DoD ethical principles for AI offer a clear baseline for curriculum design: View principles
• Explore curated AI course paths by job to map learning to roles: Complete AI Training - Courses by job

Photo: Maj. Dan Foley, an AMSP student, shares his plan for using AI during an off-campus practical exercise. (U.S. Army photo)