TL;DR:
- The US Army seeks to address vulnerabilities in the AI supply chain for Project Linchpin.
- Project Linchpin aims to create an AI/ML environment for intelligence, cyber, and electronic warfare.
- Requests for information include an AI Bill of Materials (AI BOM) and computer vision capabilities.
- The AI BOM, inspired by the S-BOM concept, focuses on securing the AI supply chain.
- Industry input is sought on cost, tools, efficacy, and alternatives for implementing the AI BOM.
- Collaboration with the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and AI Office aims to enhance computer vision capabilities.
- Feedback from industry stakeholders is requested on training models, skillsets, team structures, costs, and intellectual property strategies.
Main AI News:
The US Army is embarking on a strategic mission to fortify the AI supply chain within the framework of Project Linchpin, a pioneering program aimed at establishing a trusted artificial intelligence and machine learning ecosystem. In a bid to address potential vulnerabilities, the Army is seeking input from industry experts, marking a significant step in securing the future of AI-driven operations.
Project Linchpin envisions the creation of an AI/ML operations “environment” that will serve the intelligence, cyber, and electronic warfare sectors. Administered by the Army’s Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Sensors, this groundbreaking initiative has recently issued two crucial requests for information: one for an AI “bill of materials” (AI BOM) and another for “computer vision capabilities.”
The AI BOM is a concept put forth by Young Bang, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology. Much like its software counterpart, the software bill of materials (S-BOM), the AI BOM is poised to play a pivotal role in securing the AI supply chain. Bang emphasized the significance of AI BOMs, stressing their importance in the Army’s race to catch up with China in the realm of artificial intelligence.
The AI BOM, as outlined in the request for information, comprises three essential components: an S-BOM that provides intricate details and supply chain relationships of the components used in AI model development, specifics about the model itself, including training data, and a comprehensive data lineage tracing the model’s creation. Industry stakeholders are tasked with furnishing valuable insights on the cost implications, requisite tools and processes, efficacy, and potential alternatives for implementing the AI BOM into an AI/MLOps pipeline. This proactive approach aims to enhance supply chain resilience and mitigate risks.
In tandem with these efforts, the Army is collaborating with the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and AI Office to bolster its computer vision capabilities. The objective is to develop the capability to “detect and classify objects” utilizing controlled unclassified information datasets. These datasets encompass horizontal full-motion video captured by ground combat vehicle sensors and overhead imagery obtained from satellites.
The Army is also soliciting industry feedback on training models, exploring the necessary skillsets and team structures required to deliver trained models effectively, and assessing the associated costs and intellectual property strategies. These endeavors underscore the Army’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology while ensuring the integrity and security of its AI and machine learning initiatives.
Conclusion:
The US Army’s strategic move to secure the AI supply chain through Project Linchpin reflects a growing emphasis on safeguarding critical technology infrastructure. This initiative underscores the increasing importance of AI Bill of Materials (AI BOMs) in the military sector and suggests a potential market shift towards greater transparency and security in AI and machine learning development, with opportunities for companies specializing in supply chain security and AI-related services.
