CMU Selected by U.S. Army to Lead Artificial Intelligence Innovation Framework

PITTSBURGH, Penn. (April 10, 2020) – Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has been selected by the U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC) to lead a five-year contract to support research and development of an innovation framework for Advanced Algorithms, Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (A4I). 

Carnegie Mellon’s A4I Innovation Framework will accelerate the development and deployment of advanced algorithms, autonomy and AI for the U.S. Army.

“As the pace of innovation grows at an unprecedented rate, Carnegie Mellon will continue to define what’s possible in advanced algorithms, autonomy and AI,” said Carnegie Mellon President Farnam Jahanian. “We are delighted to continue working with the U.S. Army to pursue advances that fortify the nation’s security and defense and accelerate technology-enabled economic growth.”

Developing the A4I Innovation Framework will enable Carnegie Mellon to perform research on advanced algorithms, autonomy and artificial intelligence and develop prototypes in multiple domains across the Army with specific focus on the modernization priorities established by the AFC.

“The ability to operationalize new capabilities for the Army is critical to protect our most valued asset, the soldier,” said AFC Deputy Commander Lieutenant General James Richardson. “We look forward to continuing to work with Carnegie Mellon as the leader in emerging technologies such as AI to keep at the forefront of innovation.”

The Framework leverages the partnership between the Army AI Task Force, which is housed at CMU and activated just over a year ago, and a network of partners from academia, industry and other government entities. The partners are engaged at different stages of the research, prototyping, development and deployment to determine the most efficient ways of operationalizing new AI technologies that can be implemented at scale throughout the U.S. Army.

“Our partners in the A4I Innovation Framework include top talent from other universities and companies from across the nation,” said J. Michael McQuade, CMU’s Vice President for Research. “CMU leading this effort in Pittsburgh allows us to tap into the area’s vibrant AI and autonomy innovation ecosystem and comes with the support from our elected officials, who immediately recognized the impact of this partnership with the Army.”