The US Army has granted Palantir Technologies a substantial contract, valued at up to $250 million, to delve into artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) research and experimentation.
This agreement, disclosed by the Department of Defense on September 26, is slated to continue until 2026. The specifics regarding the work locations and funding allocation will be determined on a per-order basis.
The defense sector’s interest in AI and ML has seen remarkable growth, with military officials recognizing their potential in various battlefield applications. This surge in interest aligns with industry enthusiasm for these technologies.
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As of 2021, the Defense Department was managing over 685 AI-related projects, according to the Government Accountability Office. Notably, at least 232 of these projects fell under the Army’s jurisdiction.
Palantir previously engaged in a legal battle with the Army over procurement procedures in 2016, which it won. Subsequently, the company has secured numerous multimillion-dollar contracts.
In October 2022, the Army awarded Palantir a five-year predictive maintenance contract, valued at just over $85 million. The military aims to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce unit downtime, and rely on machine-powered forecasts.
Additionally, Palantir is playing a role in implementing the Army’s Global Force Information Management system. This system consolidates more than a dozen aging applications and offers leaders an automated and comprehensive view of manpower, equipment, training, and troop readiness.
