Army SBIR and xTech prize competitions are partnering with Project Linchpin to scale artificial intelligence solutions
Excerpt:
The development of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) solutions from industry provides the Department of Defense with opportunities to enhance and strengthen its strategic edge in national defense. As these technologies evolve, the U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and xTech Programs play a vital role in delivering these innovative AI solutions to the Army. [...]
“Project Linchpin is building an operational pipeline of trusted AI solutions, aligning with the Army's broader AI implementation,” said Col. Chris Anderson, project manager, PM IS&A. “This plan aims to deliver a coherent approach to AI across the Army, with specific execution windows for integrating complex AI efforts.”
COMBINING FORCES
Capitalizing on the unique strengths of the Army SBIR and xTech Programs, Project Linchpin accelerates the research and development of innovative AI technologies for defense applications. As an Army transition partner, PEO IEW&S and its project managers, including PM IS&A, benefit from access to innovative solutions from the private sector. Meanwhile, the Army SBIR and xTech Programs provide a pathway for transitioning technologies into the Army’s operational framework. [...]
“Through the Army SBIR and xTech Programs, Project Linchpin serves as a cornerstone for the Army’s efforts to harness AI at scale, ensuring that the solutions are secure, trusted and effectively integrated into military applications,” Anderson said. [...]
Latent AI and Enveil, Inc. won for the Project Linchpin topic. This win facilitated crucial Army connections, cash prizes and an Army SBIR Direct to Phase II contract award to prove the technology feasibility for its Project Linchpin application. “Project Linchpin leverages xTech and Army SBIR Programs to explore innovative technologies from small businesses, and does so in a very focused, rapid manner,” said Sek Chai, Ph.D., Latent AI co-founder and chief technology officer. “XTechPrime, for example, is structured to consider how technology is evaluated and integrated into current infrastructure and workflow.”
Ellison Anne Williams, founder and CEO of Enveil, Inc., noted that nontraditional innovators are leveraging the power of transformative capabilities without compromising mission interests.
“Project Linchpin is dedicated to advancing the Army’s AI/ML efforts in a secure, trustworthy, sustainable way, and we are proud to be working in support of this initiative by delivering capabilities that showcase the broad, mission-enabling impact of privacy enhancing technologies,” she said.
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