David Metcalf of UCF IST presents ABC for Digital Twins: AI, Blockchain and Cybersecurity at R-CON

David Metcalf, Ph.D., senior researcher at the Mixed Emerging Technology Integration Lab (METIL) within the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Simulation & Training (IST), presented “ABC for Digital Twins: AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity” at R-CON Digital Twins, June 26.

 

R-CON Digital Twins was an industry-focused event exploring the expanding role of digital twin technologies, hosted by the Reality Capture Network (RCN) and held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida.

 

The event brought together professionals from infrastructure, energy, defense, aerospace and academia to examine how digital twins are evolving from isolated prototypes into integrated systems supporting enterprise-wide decision-making.

 

Metcalf began his presentation by outlining how METIL is applying artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and cybersecurity frameworks — referred to collectively as “ABC” — to support scalable and secure digital twin ecosystems. He said these technologies are designed to work together to enhance the overall resilience of digital twins.

 

Metcalf said the lab’s work emphasizes real-world results rather than just developing cutting-edge technologies. METIL’s focus includes reducing operational costs, enhancing safety measures and accelerating the speed and quality of decision-making.

 

In defense, this translates to improving mission readiness and situational awareness, which help safeguard personnel and critical assets. Across all sectors, METIL aims to ensure that digital twin technologies provide measurable value by solving practical challenges and enabling smarter, faster and safer decisions.

 

“We always consider the outcomes we aim to achieve,” Metcalf said. “If we can boost decision-making by 20 to 30 percent in fields like cancer diagnostics or aviation weather systems, the benefits are both economic and lifesaving.”

 

Several projects were highlighted, including digital twins developed for the Department of Veterans Affairs, urban planning initiatives in Lake Nona and military training simulations. Metcalf said these projects demonstrate the wide range of applications for digital twin technologies.

 

Collaborations with government and industry partners have produced prototypes such as holographic interfaces, real-time asset generation through natural language commands and blockchain-secured learning records. These innovations showcase how emerging tech can improve user experience and data security.

 

“Making the invisible visible is often our task, whether in energy, mission rehearsal, or cyber defense,” Metcalf said. “Our focus is turning complex data into clear, actionable insights that decision-makers can rely on.”

 

Beyond technological innovation, Metcalf highlighted that METIL values ethical considerations and human-centered design. He pointed out the importance of data privacy, trust and accessibility to ensure these technologies serve all stakeholders fairly and responsibly.

 

“We aim to create systems that are secure and transparent, fostering confidence from frontline operators to policymakers,” Metcalf said. “This includes designing user interfaces that reduce cognitive strain and support efficient decision-making processes.”

 

METIL’s work also extends into social impact projects. For example, digital twin models track global human trafficking networks. Metcalf explained that AI “hunter bots” adapt counter-threat financing strategies to help law enforcement disrupt organized crime by recognizing patterns and fusing real-time data to predict illicit financial flows.

 

Other notable initiatives include the Deep SPACE lab, which supports digital engineering and experiential prototyping, and “Press Start,” a Department of Energy-funded program designed to engage students in future energy careers through immersive simulations.

 

He emphasized how these interactive environments boost learning retention and better prepare students for evolving industries. Metcalf said he sees this approach as key to building a skilled workforce for tomorrow.

 

“Our goal is to ready the next generation of technologists,” Metcalf said. “We provide tools combining human and artificial intelligence to tackle modern industry and societal challenges.”

 

By integrating emerging technologies with partnerships and strong ethical foundations, Metcalf said METIL demonstrates how digital twins are becoming essential platforms for enterprise collaboration and long-term resilience. This evolving role highlights the importance of digital twins beyond technical applications.

 

The presentation concluded by emphasizing that the lab continues to explore how digital twins can deliver not only operational gains but also broader societal benefits across healthcare, infrastructure and security.