Data labelling company Scale AI has secured a contract to provide generative artificial intelligence tools to the Defense Innovation Unit’s Thunderforge program designed to integrate AI into Department of Defense planning and operations. The program is geared at helping accelerate DOD-wide adoption of “cutting edge commercial AI technologies,” Doug Beck, DIU director, said Wednesday.
“Thunderforge is the foundation for the next generation of AI-driven military decision-making, enhancing the Joint Force’s ability to plan, adapt and respond to emerging challenges at machine speed – helping the warfighter to deter major conflict, or win if forced to fight,” Beck pointed out.
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INDOPACOM and EUCOM Deployments
The program’s initial deployment will support the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. European Command’s mission-critical planning on such areas as campaign development, theater-wide resource distribution and strategic analysis.
The Thunderforge toolkit available to the commands include advanced large language models, AI-driven simulations and interactive agent-based wargaming.
According to Bryce Goodman, DIU Thunderforge program lead, current military planning relies on “decades-old technology and methodologies” hindering the speedy response that modern warfare demands. “Thunderforge brings AI-powered analysis and automation to operational and strategic planning, allowing decision-makers to operate at the pace required for emerging conflicts,” Goodman pointed out.
Partnership with Anduril and Microsoft
Scale AI’s Thunderforge contract award followed the DIU solicitation issued in August for GenAI tools to accelerate and enhance DOD’s joint planning. Under the contract, the San Francisco, California-based company will provide its GenAI test and evaluation capabilities as well as agentic applications. It is partnered in the program with Anduril bringing in its lattice software platform, and Microsoft contributing its LLMS.
Alexandr Wang, Scale AI founder and CEO, called it an honor for the company to lead a program designed to provide “the greatest technological advantage” to U.S. military leaders. “Working together with DIU, Combatant Commands and our industry partners, we will lead the Joint Force in integrating AI into operational decision-making,” said Scale AI’s top executive.
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