HEARD IT THROUGH THE PIPELINE


improving the performance of the AI.” Within the pipeline, data scientists will interact with components that manage sensor data to train models, as well as test, evaluate, verify, optimize and deploy them onto the systems.


“Each one of those steps is a critical part of the process to ensure Soldiers trust the AI that is helping them,” Bono said. “Today, there is so much data that analysts can’t process all of it. To provide the most accurate and complete assessments of the operational environment, PEO IEW&S recognized that the process of delivering AI and ML capabilities to sensors contin- uously and rapidly is just as important as the models themselves.”


Kitz noted the importance of this invest- ment. “Linchpin is the right name because this is a hard problem for an absolutely vital product.” Recognizing the need for a solution that focuses on the Soldier is


a model for early adoption and accelera- tion in the use of AI for sensor systems, he said. “Soldiers have to understand where AI and ML models come from, how they are trained, that they are ready to perform their tasks and that Soldier feedback is baked into the entire process. With a pipe- line like this, we’re delivering trust.”


DOLLARS AND SENSE AI is unique from software in that there must be continuous integration and continuous delivery to systems. AI and ML capabilities require “pipelines” for delivery. Project Linchpin will result in a program of record for the Army’s first MLOps pipeline that manages all the unique aspects of AI and ML projects. As new algorithms are developed for specific tasks, and existing algorithms are trained on new data, the pipeline integrates and delivers them at the speed required for multidomain operations.


Emerging AI- and ML-enabled systems and the algorithms and models they use are expensive, but “consolidating the ‘development and deployment pipeline’ under a single program of record creates efficiencies that reduce costs,” Patel said. “It reduces the burden on individ- ual programs that employ AI to manage their own pipelines and mitigates redun- dancy in like efforts for the broad range of sensors that may collect similar data types or use similar models.”


Te pipeline also creates an opportunity for industry partners to compete, and for the Army to select the best capabilities. Since sensor AI requirements are contin- uous, and change with the operational environment, there is a constant need to identify and integrate new models. “Using the Adaptive Acquisition Framework to employ the most flexible acquisition and contracting strategies will allow a compet- itive environment for industry,” said Kitz.


GOING WITH THE FLOW


The differences and benefits between a traditional weapons system pipeline versus an AI- and ML-enabled weapons system pipeline. (Graphic by PEO IEW&S and USAASC)


46


Army AL&T Magazine Winter 2023


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