Unveiling the Nexus: Join Marty Trevino as he explores the intersection of Cognitive Neuroscience, Technology, and Decision-Making, offering profound insights into human/AI complementarity and the future of innovation.

In a world where the confluence of Cognitive Neuroscience, Technology, and Decision-Making heralds a new era of human potential, we embark on an intellectual odyssey. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of human/AI complementarity with Marty Trevino, a visionary at the forefront of this transformative intersection. From his illustrious tenure at the NSA to his pioneering endeavors in Industry, Marty’s journey offers profound insights into the evolving landscape of decision-making. Prepare to embark on a voyage of discovery, where theoretical abstraction meets practical application, and the boundaries of innovation dissolve in the crucible of human consciousness. Welcome to the unraveling of the nexus—where the realms of possibility are limited only by the bounds of our imagination.

1. Can you share a bit about your journey from being a United States Cyber Spy for the NSA to your current role as a Cognitive Neuroscientist and technologist?

It was the honour of my life to serve our country at such a tumultuous time.  The conflicts that the US fought (Global War on Terror, Iraq, and Afghanistan) created a huge interest in Data-Driven Decision-Making in a world filled with multi-dimensional, real-time data.  The NSA is among the most innovative and technologically advanced organizations globally. They must innovate to enable the accomplishment of missions and to stay ahead of the adversaries.  It was there that the application of Neuroscience to technology to enable decision-makers through specific design of the UX/UI was first tried. Thus, my area of focus became of great importance.  

There comes a point when it’s time for a change, for me that manifested as a transition from Government to Industry.  I saw this as an opportunity to apply advanced techniques and multiple bodies of knowledge to data-driven decision-making and increase human/AI complementarity. It’s not been an “easy row to hoe,” as they say, on the farm. This is cutting-edge work that often goes against accepted practices and beliefs but is gaining ground in terms of acceptance. Approaching human/tech/AI symbiosis from the lens of the human brain is fundamentally different than creating Use Cases/Requirements and even Design Thinking for the UI/UX.  

     2. How did your experiences in combat support and as a technical director influence your perspective on the intersection of human cognition and technology?

The experience of being direct combat support is amazing. In this role, you can see the effects of your efforts often in real-time and know you are helping the warfighter in the best of ways.  As a Technical Director, I guided the efforts of a global team and explored new ways of improving decision-making with data at speed and scale.  An overarching and systemic issue is that decision-makers often ignore data and evidence in their decision processes. Thus, the question was born – “Why does the brain ignore data, evidence, and context in making high-risk decisions?” Knowing the brain does this a natural function in decision-making – “Can we influence the UI and UX to work ‘with’ the brain vs. often against it and avoid decision errors?” This is the intersection of Cognitive Neuroscience, Technology, and Risky Decision-Making, and it has the potential to dramatically influence decision-making across the scale from fully automated to human centric.

     3.What inspired your transition to specializing in Human/AI Fusion and Next Generation Visual Analytics?

My inspiration for working with people and technology is in a deep-seated desire to change the world in small ways and do the most challenging thing I could think of.  I believe a rich life is one where we accept heavy burdens and live out our potential.  I’m a polymath, and I have the ability to learn multiple disciplines at exceedingly deep levels and even translate them into other unrelated disciplines.  Take the concept of the Neuroscience of Trust – how trust is formed in the brain and extend this to trust in data and technology.  I believe that science and technology have unlimited potential through combining disparate fields of study and disciplines.

     4. How do you see the field evolving, and what challenges and opportunities do you anticipate?

So, I don’t know if this is a field or a fringe specialization – I think its more the latter.  This is because most Neuroscientists are far more interested in understanding where things happen in the brain than extending that understanding to real-world applications in unrelated fields.  

     5. Could you elaborate on your role as a strategic partner to firms developing new models of Human/AI complementarity?  

Most firms don’t have the requirement for someone like me to be “on staff,” so my most common business relationship is with a strategic partner/contractor.  I use the term SP as my role often is one of giving direction and that is difficult to do as a Consultant – the business relationship needs to be deeper for it to be effective.  I always report to someone on the C-Suite ranging from the CISO or CIO to the CEO and fall under the overarching DX, Analytics/Data Science efforts.  The relationships tend to be wonderful and long lasting and I’ve had the great pleasure to make many personal friends in very influential positions.  

The aspect of Human/AI complementarity parallels the data-driven decision-making efforts. AI as we conceptualize it is a clear path to creating sustainable strategic competitive advantages, innovation and problem solving but exactly “how” is the question.  Simply putting up the tag line “we use AI” doesn’t cut it.  How to precisely create new workplace models of people and AI to defined ends is the key to tomorrows business success.  And its here that Cognitive Neuroscience offers us a unique vector by which to do so.  The person is at the center of any new model of people and AI.  Its interesting when you speak to senior executives and ask “is there a human factors analysis/strategy for incorporating technology and AI into the DX?” – the answer is all too often “no”.   This is a foul as in almost every case AI will not replace people but augment them.  I often say we have entered the “Age of Augmentation” and the end of the Information Age. 

     6. What criteria do you prioritize when vetting tech startups for a VC or investor family, both in terms of “sweat” and equity investments?

I wish I was smart enough to come up with novel criteria myself so I subscribe to Peter Thiel and Blake Master’s central premise that a startup must solve a problem 10x better than what is currently in place.  I also subscribe to Thiel and Masters cite 7 aspects of the business that have to be “right” to maximize success – these range from product Engineering to Distribution.  If a firm can get all this right they can carve out a customer set and expand.  

     7. Are there specific trends or areas within technology that currently catch your attention?

The trend that is supremely interesting now is the creation of highly specific purposes for AI to be mated with people to solve problems and innovate.  The field of AI has seen its ups and downs over decades now but has been resurrected in the form of LLM’s.  2023 was perhaps the Zenith for these modes of AI, with all kinds of hype and fear generated by their often-overstated capabilities.  The future will not doubt include general-purpose LLM, but the largest gains in productivity, problem-solving, and innovation will likely come from specifically designed AI that performs well-defined tasks and functions with its human counterparts.  These specifically designed Ais are now transforming every area of knowledge work and will only get better.  Cutting-edge firms are combining all three – People/AI, and Technology to accomplish what was once only a dream.  An example of this is today, we can laser scan the dimensions of mechanical parts and compositional aspects such as strength, stresses, pressure tolerance, etc. Utilize a design AI to create designs that the human engineer may not have considered, and 3D print the new piece for testing in hours.  This process has until recently, taken months and even years.  The critical insight is Human/AI Complementarity not replacement or enslavement by a super intelligence.  

     8. How do you approach crafting scientific and technical articles for senior executives, ensuring both accuracy and accessibility?

Among the most enjoyable aspects of my work is crafting scientific and technical articles or presentations.  I’ve had the privilege of creating scientific and technical articles to influence decision-makers for firms ranging from Oracle to the US Dept of Defense.   These are difficult to produce as they must be insightful, well researched, and cogently written – no easy thing.  I have a unique memory that allows me to recall very specific fragments of information such as quotes, authors, and article names.  The “devil lays in the detail,” goes the mantra. Here I benefit from a sense of detail and a strong desire for accuracy, so I will double-check and cross-reference quotes and insights from authors and researchers to ensure accuracy.  

I find that giving presentations has a disproportionate impact on decision-makers compared to the level of detail presented. Presentations coupled with robust discussions can have a considerable impact on understanding and mental models. I find it useful to augment this level of depth with links to the research underpinning the presentation’s key points as both a form of validation and a path for follow-up learning.  

     9. Given your preference for one-on-one deep-thinking conversations, what topics or discussions do you find most engaging?

Excluding my field of expertise, which I find highly engaging, I dive into various topics that represent strategic challenges to the nation.  These range from Military and Economic to highly controversial social topics such as Gun Violence, Crime, and Immigration.  The challenge for me is to find truths that are not commonly accepted knowledge and frame them in such a way as to overcome the brain’s resistance to accepting the data.  This is a unique challenge as each person is sometimes hemisphere dominant – IE. Some people strongly favour the Left Hemisphere which we know from the seminal research of Ian McGillchrist seeks only sound bites that validate preconceived notions/beliefs vs. context and the truth. 

     10. How do these conversations contribute to your work and perspectives?

These conversations contribute in a number of ways but perhaps most interestingly in that there is tremendous richness in examining topics and fields of study that are perceived to be completely unrelated to my core areas of expertise. One example is the concept of “scaffolding,” borrowed from biology and applied to cyber-security.  We can take the concept of layering multi-dimensional components or aspects of cyber-security to create novel visualizations and enable data exploration.  We can even create new metrics and measures in ways not previously done, such as based on the shape of the various elements for a “geometric threat rating”.  Through this type of creative thinking, I believe we can solve problems in ways not previously contemplated. 

     11. How do you balance your roles as a scientist, technologist, and investor with public engagement through publications, presentations, and panels?

I am not sure I balance my time… Something is always more pressing, and I prioritize accordingly.  I’ve also come to recognize that there is only so much time in the day/week, and these constraints are aligned with my long-term goal of altering the sensory experience in analytics and advancing the understanding of human/AI complementarity from a Cognition/Neuroscience lens. 

     12. What value do you find in sharing your knowledge and insights with a broader audience?

To share knowledge is among the greatest gift one can give to others. I am humbled every time someone asks me to speak or write.  Engaging with a broader audience is pleasantly challenging as each person’s knowledge of Cognition and the brain’s functioning in relation to technology is different.  I have had the pleasure of midnight conversations with CEOs seeking to instill “data-driven decision-making in the DNA of the firm” and terse discussions with UX designers on the validity of Gestalt design principles on influencing reference frames (think mental models) created in the Neo Cortex.  To be invited to share knowledge and understanding is an honour of the highest caliber. 

      13. What excites you the most about the future of Human/AI fusion, and where do you see the field heading in the next decade?

Most exciting of Human/AI fusion is the singularly unique opportunity that is presented to mankind.  Never in the history of the world has an advance in technology presented us with the kind of relationship that AI does – not even the information age presented us with the opportunities that paring humans and AI together does.  

I see a future where a deep understanding of the brain will influence UX/UI design and the refinement and disappearance of the interfaces and hardware itself.  We have to see these things as separating us from technology – a computer screen is what we use now, but it is also an inhibitor, limiting us in many ways.  The design of the next generation of interfaces should be underpinned not only by technology and design thinking but also a deep understanding of how the brain makes decisions, trusts data and technology, how memory functions and many other aspects that Cognitive Neuroscience brings a unique and often different truth to the discussions. 

In closing, Marty Trevino’s insights have illuminated a path forward in the dynamic landscape of decision-making. Through the fusion of Cognitive Neuroscience and technology, he has unlocked the potential for human/AI complementarity, paving the way for a future where innovation knows no bounds. As we stand on the precipice of a new era, let us heed Marty’s call to embrace collaboration, transcend traditional boundaries, and chart a course towards a future where human potential knows no limits.