More than 70 AI companies shared how their innovations can
enhance defence’s current and future capabilities at the
inaugural DAIC Connect industry event on Monday 27 November.
The event was organised by the Defence AI Centre
(DAIC) in partnership with business community Chief Disruptor
and brought together representatives from industry and academia
alongside defence teams including the single services. The aim
was to develop a pan-defence understanding of the current AI
market and to foster new connections between industry and
Ministry of Defence (MOD) teams. This collaborative approach
helps to accelerate innovation and strengthen the UK’s AI
ecosystem, giving defence a strategic edge.
Most of the industry attendees were from small and medium sized
enterprises, some of whom had not worked with the MOD before.
Throughout the day, they engaged with senior staff and
representatives from teams across defence, while 11 companies
were given the chance to deliver a ten-minute pitch about how
their AI projects could enhance defence’s current and future
capabilities. The presentations were followed by Q&A sessions
in which the audience explored the products’ capabilities and
offered observations and advice.
In the networking area, the six companies who had sponsored the
event ran exhibition stands, alongside DAIC, Defence and Security
Accelerator (DASA) and Defence Equipment & Support Digital
(DE&S Digital) from the MOD. This provided a further forum to
discuss innovations and challenges encountered when developing
and adopting AI.
Charlie Forte, MOD Chief Information Officer, who delivered the
opening address, said:
It is essential that defence develops a more dynamic and
integrated relationship with a wide and more diverse group of
industry partners because it is through these partnerships that
truly transformative solutions can be developed and placed into
the hands of users. I am therefore delighted to be opening the
inaugural DAIC Connect and to see such a breadth of
representation from so many different companies and MOD teams.
Cdre Rachel Singleton RN, Head DAIC, said:
It’s fantastic to see so much enthusiasm in the room as people
form new connections. Events like DAIC Connect are about bringing
together people from across the AI ecosystem so we can continue
to explore how we can exploit AI in support of defence
challenges.
Dina Kakaras, Head of Commercial X, explained her team’s work to
drive end-to-end, fast-paced acquisition of innovative military
capability and to break down barriers for SMEs and wider industry
looking to work with the MOD. She emphasised the need to start
small and embrace risk, while highlighting the importance of SMEs
in driving innovation in the field.
The day closed with speeches and a joint Q&A by Director of
Defence Innovation John Ridge and Director of Strategy and
Military Digitalisation, Defence Digital, Air Vice-Marshal David
Arthurton. John Ridge called for a collaborative approach across
defence and industry in encouraging innovation in defence, and
building on efforts by many teams over the past few years in
achieving what he described as “Innovation 2.0.” Air Vice-Marshal
David Arthurton emphasised that trust will be a critical element
in bringing all stakeholders on board for the journey.
Paul Jones, VP UK Business Development at CrateDB, said:
CrateDB was proud to be a part of the inaugural DAIC Connect, a
unique event where the MOD’s leading AI teams demonstrated the
latest challenges and opportunities to the industry. The event
was a great success, generating a lot of enthusiasm and interest
among the participants.
About the DAIC
The Defence AI Centre was established in 2022 as an outcome of
the 2021 Integrated Review. It has the mandate to accelerate
defence’s ability to harness AI, in line with our principles and
values. Its mission is to champion, enable and innovate the safe
and responsible adoption of AI in defence.
