The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) recently announced its Artificial Intelligence Exploration (AIE) program, which is designed to ensure the nation maintains an advantage within the realm of artificial intelligence (AI).
DARPA officials said the initiative serves as a critical component of the agency’s broader AI investment strategy. The program will constitute a series of unique funding opportunities using streamlined contracting procedures and funding mechanisms to achieve a start date within three months of an opportunity announcement.
AIE is an agency-wide program based on the successful “Disruptioneering” fast-tracked solicitation process pioneered by DARPA’s Defense Science Office, supporting a variety of technology development concepts.
“DARPA has established a streamlined process to push the state of the art in AI through regular and relatively short-term technology development projects,” DARPA Deputy Director Peter Highnam said. “The intent is to get researchers on contract quickly to test the value and feasibility of innovative concepts. Where we’re successful, individual projects could lead to larger research and development programs spurring major AI breakthroughs.”
Researchers said the endeavor would be helpful in working to establish the feasibility of new AI concepts within 18 months of award.
AIE will periodically issue special notices tied to topics of interest. AIE will also issue awards up to $1 million each, as described in each AIE Opportunity.