MIT and U.S. Air Force Join Forces to Advance Artificial Intelligence Technology

As part of a growing trend among higher education institutions focused on artificial intelligence (AI), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently announced a new partnership with the U.S. Air Force to make “fundamental advancements” in AI technology and address broader societal needs.

“MIT is a leading institution for AI research, education and application, making this a huge opportunity for the Air Force as we deepen and expand our scientific and technical enterprise," Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said. "Drawing from one of the best of American research universities is vital."

The program, known as the MIT-Air Force AI Accelerator, will build on the combined resources and expertise of both MIT and the Air Force to carry out research aimed at enabling rapid prototyping, scaling, and application of AI algorithms and systems. The program will also explores ways to use AI to greater benefit society, including through aspects of planning, control, and other complex tasks. The Air Force also announced that it plans to invest roughly $15 million per year into the program.

“This collaboration is very much in line with MIT’s core value of service to the nation,” says Maria Zuber, MIT’s vice president for research and the E.A. Griswold Professor of Geophysics. “MIT researchers who choose to participate will bring state-of-the-art expertise in AI to advance Air Force mission areas and help train Air Force personnel in applications of AI.”