JAIC Focuses on Integrating AI Components for JADC2

The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center is prioritizing the integration of artificial intelligence components on the military’s Joint All Domain Command and Control, according to the agency’s acting director, Nand Mulchandani.

Speaking at a recent news briefing, Mulchandani said JAIC is focused on identifying approaches to introduce AI components, including data, AI modeling, training and deployment, across all domains in support of the multi-domain information sharing platform.

Additionally, the center has its sights on cognitive assistance technologies that would provide operators across the military with predictive analytics, which would subsequently drive better decision-making, FCW reported.

Looking ahead, Mulchandani said JAIC intends to begin testing of its tactical edge AI projects under the Joint Warfighting Initiative by 2021. While he remained mum on the specifics of the effort, Mulchandani hinted that the technology from the initiative would soon become the flagship product for the DoD in line with its transition from predictive maintenance to joint warfighting.

Mulchandani also told reporters that much of the JAIC’s current efforts are geared towards weapons systems deployment. However, none of the existing projects are capable of operating autonomously, Mulchandani said, due to responsibilities for semi- and fully autonomous systems set forth by the DoD.

The center is also keen on codifying its recently adopted AI principles. The process involves factoring in the best implementation techniques from industry and groups with established ethics principles for various issues, including advertising or algorithm bias, Mulchandani added.

During the briefing, Mulchandani also touched on the issue between Silicon Valley and the military. He said the DoD has been able to maintain its working relationship with major tech companies despite previous issues like the tech employee protests in 2018 related to the department’s Project Maven.