- DASA has launched a new Themed Competition called Scoping out
the Grey Zone: Sub-threshold AI
- The sub-threshold encapsulates all activity up to, but not
crossing, the legal definition of armed conflict
- Funded by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
(Dstl)
- Competition closes on 6 June 2023
The Defence and Security
Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed
Competition called Scoping out the Grey Zone:
Sub-threshold AI, run on behalf of the Artificial
Intelligence Programme, within the Defence Science and
Technology Laboratory (Dstl). This competition seeks
novel and innovative proposals, to help explore the role
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play in improving
the Ministry of Defence’s
(MOD) ability to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance (ISR) of the sub-threshold information
environment.
For this competition the information environment is defined as a
diverse global environment that consists of physical, virtual and
the cognitive dimensions where humans and automated systems
observe and act on data. The sub-threshold encapsulates all
activity up to, but not crossing, the legal definition of armed
conflict.
We are seeking ideas which could help defence:
-
apply AI to identify actions in the sub-threshold information
environment which are hostile
-
use AI to understand the intent and attribution of those
actions
-
use AI to generate possible courses of action to provide
response options
This competition is seeking innovations that can help the MOD in
developing the technology and understanding to enable processing,
understanding and exploitation of the vast quantity of data at
machine speed, improving the UK’s ability to:
- understand actions in the sub-threshold, and identify which
are, or appear to be hostile
- understand the implications and reach of activities in the
sub-threshold
- attribute actions to actors
- identify likely or plausible intent or consequences
- propose plausible response options
We are looking to fund proposals across Technology Readiness
Levels (TRLs), with an
interest in lower TRL ideas through to the application of AI
techniques at TRL6.
Key dates and funding
The total possible funding available for this competition is
£800,000 (ex VAT). This is expected to fund a number of proposals
of up to £300,000 (Exc. VAT) each in value, over a maximum
project duration of 6 months and must be complete by March 2024.
However, DASA reserves the right to fund one outstanding bid up
to £800,000 (Exc. VAT) that demonstrates value for money,
provides high quality supporting evidence of platform performance
to date and a detailed project plan to deliver on the competition
challenges.
The deadline to submit a proposal is midday 6 June 2023
Do you have an innovation?
Read the full competition document and submit a proposal.
Competition challenge areas
This competition has three challenge areas. Suppliers will be
invited to submit proposals against one (or a combination) of the
following challenge areas:
- Indicators & warnings – what is happening in the
information environment?
- Intent & attribution – who is doing it and why?
- Courses of action – what can we do about it? (what sort of
response options can we use technology to propose in the
information environment)
Supporting events
Dial in session: Tuesday 25 April 2023
A dial-in session providing further detail on the problem space
and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. If you would like
to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page. To get
the most out of this session, we strongly advise that you attend
with a good knowledge of the competition document.
Register
now
Submit a proposal
Submit your novel, innovative proposals on Artificial
Intelligence (AI) that can be leveraged to support the MOD in
conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) of
the sub-threshold information environment.
Read the full competition
document to learn more and submit a proposal.
