IN3 has received a first-of-its-kind award from the Army Contracting Command – Rock Island through the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC). The $2.5 million in initial funding will be used to establish and manage a business model that enhances the ability to quickly identify, acquire and operationalize artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). JAIC is the AI center of excellence for the DoD.
The model will support the warfighter by strengthening all pillars of the DoD strategy including the Department’s emphasis on the rapid, iterative delivery of AI and a generation of new operating concepts.
The AI Acquisition Business Model leverages an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) acquisition approach named Tradewind. The model enables the DoD to acquire and procure the best AI solutions in a more efficient and effective manner. Tradewind will provide a collaborative environment for participants that represent a cross-section of DoD stakeholders including the defense industrial base, academia and various non-traditional organizations (i.e., small businesses) in response to direct requirements from the DoD relative to AI priorities.
“IN3 is known for bringing together academia, industry and government partners to create a hub of national security innovation and our role in supporting the JAIC is a prime example of that activity,” said Stephen E. Kelly, president and CEO, IN3. “The IN3 team looks forward to supporting the JAIC in their crucial role of accelerating the integration of AI into mission capabilities.”
AI applications cross a wide range of economic sectors and have potential for major impact on national security in areas including business processes, maintenance, health care, joint warfighting and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Tradewind is intended to engage a wide spectrum of organizations in delivering solutions for DoD missions.
It’s important to note that ethical principles for AI will be rigorously applied to both combat and non-combat functions and will be foundational in upholding legal, ethical and policy commitments in the field of AI.
The JAIC was established in 2018 to be the focal point of the DoD’s AI strategy to accelerate scaling of AI and its impact across the department. JAIC identifies appropriate use cases for AI, rapidly pilot’s solutions and scales impact across the DoD.
By spring 2021, the JAIC will initiate 2-3 AI projects using the Tradewind environment that will be accessible through
AI.mil.
