Six Vendors Present AI, ML Technologies for Logistics Operations at DLA Hackathon

The Defense Logistics Agency gave six vendors the chance to present their artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to the Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and AI Office, the Air Force Research Laboratory and George Mason University during the recent DLA Hackathon.

The inaugural event was organized to increase engagement with the industry as the DLA plans to acquire AI-powered technologies to support logistics operations, particularly in contested environments.

A technical evaluation team is assessing the capabilities of the selected vendors to identify up to three companies that will receive contracts in the coming months, the Defense Logistics Agency said.

According to Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly, director of the DLA and a past Potomac Officers Club speaker, the agency seeks to apply AI technologies in three focus areas: supply chain risk management, human capital and talent management, and cybersecurity.

Engaging with the industry will prepare companies to meet the agency’s technological needs in future use cases, said DLA Chief Information Officer Adarryl Roberts.