#United States #DoD #Princeton #Latent AI #Project AMMO

Latent AI Selected for the DoD APFIT Program

Latent AI, a prominent player in the realm of edge AI solutions tailored for national security and defense, has recently announced its selection by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program. This recognition represents a significant stride in advancing edge AI capabilities crucial for modern military operations.

The APFIT program award builds upon Latent AI's groundbreaking initiatives with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the U.S. Navy, particularly through a project known as Accelerated Machine Learning Operations for Maritime Operations (AMMO). AMMO achieved remarkable results by reducing the time taken to update AI models from several months to just days - a staggering 18-fold improvement. This advancement was made possible through the implementation of MLOps (Machine Learning Operations) tools, notably the Latent AI Efficient Inference Platform (LEIP). Initially focused on enhancing naval mine countermeasures, Project AMMO has showcased the immense potential of edge AI in facilitating rapid decision-making during complex military scenarios.

As part of the APFIT initiative, Latent AI collaborates alongside other distinguished companies such as Domino Data Lab, which acts as the prime contractor, and partners like Weights and Biases, Fiddler, and Arize. The funding from the DoD will be distributed equally among these five companies, all committed to advancing edge AI technologies for defense applications.

Neal Byrd, Federal Vice President at Latent AI, expressed the significance of this award, stating, "The APFIT program marks a pivotal step in our mission to deliver trusted edge AI to warfighters. It extends the groundbreaking success of Project AMMO, where we collaborated with the DIU and Navy to reduce model update times, enabling sailors to process data on-site for speedier, more effective reactions to threats." This statement encapsulates the DoD's recognition of optimized edge AI as a vital element for gaining tactical advantage in defense operations.

Furthermore, the APFIT program illustrates the DoD's commitment to the integration of innovative technologies through agile processes. With the DIU driving rapid procurement and deployment of commercial solutions, Latent AI's involvement shines a light on the growing importance of edge computing and AI optimization in contemporary defense strategies, particularly in environments constrained by connectivity and resources.

Jags Kandasamy, CEO and Co-founder of Latent AI, emphasized the company's dedication to providing efficient and adaptable AI solutions at the tactical edge. He remarked, "Project AMMO proved our technology's value in military operations, and APFIT will enable us to scale these capabilities for critical defense needs—unlocking new opportunities within the DoD and beyond."

Retired Admiral Doug Small, who previously led Project AMMO and currently serves as a Strategic Advisor to Latent AI, shared insights into the mission's impact, stating, "Project AMMO showcased how optimized edge AI can revolutionize battlefield capabilities. Latent AI's expertise in compressing, optimizing, and deploying robust AI models in resource-limited settings distinguishes them in this domain." His reflection emphasizes the validation of both the technology and the agile, iterative methodology of capability deployment championed with the DIU.

With its selection for the APFIT program, Latent AI demonstrates its commitment to lead in edge AI innovation that is vital for defense applications. The company's efforts are set to redefine the speed and efficacy of military decision-making in the face of growing contemporary challenges. For additional information regarding Latent AI's solutions for federal applications, visit here.