In a groundbreaking initiative, the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Office of Digital and Artificial Intelligence, alongside the Defense Innovation Unit, Command Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Army Pacific Command and the U.S. Air Force, announced the organization of the highly anticipated event. BRAVO 11 Bits2Effects AI Hackathon.
Scheduled for February 5-9, 2024, this multi-classification hackathon is set to bring together innovative minds from diverse backgrounds to tackle business challenges associated with data. The event, taking place in the scenic landscapes of Oahu, Hawaii, marks a pivotal moment in the convergence of digital technology and military strategy, fostering an environment where creativity and problem-solving occupy a central place.
Presentation of the AI hackathon
The BRAVO 11 Bits2Effects hackathon, a brainchild of the US Air Force initiative to accelerate learning and capability development from classified and protected operational data, is scheduled to take place on the #39;scenic island of Oahu, Hawaii.
The event is open to all U.S. citizens, regardless of federal government affiliation or possession of security clearances. Applications to participate, available online, will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with the first group of acceptances expected by mid-December. Given the overwhelming response at past events, organizers have reserved an additional room, highlighting the expected demand for participation.
Participants are not required to hold security clearances, but specific spaces, use cases, and data sets may require a US Secret Security Clearance or higher. The hackathon encourages applications from a variety of backgrounds, including federal employees, government employees, and U.S. citizens affiliated or unaffiliated with a company. Federal employees and contractors are additionally encouraged to submit potential use cases, furthering collaboration between the hackathon and the broader defense community. The history of BRAVO hackathons demonstrates their impact on major Department of Defense programs, ranging from large language models to unmanned systems and combat damage assessment.
Since 2021, the U.S. Air Force has been at the forefront of hosting multi-service prototyping events, known as BRAVO hackathons. These events aim to leverage classified and protected operational data to accelerate learning and capability development. BRAVO 11 Bits2Effects, the fourth edition of these hackathons, stands out by being the first organized within a combatant command.
Emphasis is placed on using data from the Indo-Pacific operational theater to address combatant command challenges. The permissive software development environment used by BRAVO enables the integration of classified and protected data with untrusted open source and commercial software, facilitating rapid innovation.
Influencing Defense Strategies – Prototypes and Beyond
Previous BRAVO hackathons have had a lasting impact on key Department of Defense programs, shaping strategies in areas such as large language models, space launch, flight telemetry, biometrics, unmanned systems, combat damage assessment, security categorization, detection and targeting, and personnel recovery.
Stuart Wagner, director of digital transformation for the Department of the Air Force and executive officer of BRAVO AI Battle Labs, draws parallels with history, highlighting the transformative potential of such initiatives. He notes how hackathons aim to change the landscape of warfare by enabling innovators to develop and use data-driven effects in competition and conflict.
As the BRAVO 11 Bits2Effects hackathon approaches, the anticipation of revolutionary innovations in the field of digital and artificial intelligence is palpable. The convergence of diverse talent, unrestricted by government affiliation or security clearance, promises a dynamic and inclusive environment for problem solving.
The results of this event have the potential to shape the future of defense strategies, similar to the historic changes seen after innovative exercises such as Project B in the early 1920s. The question now persists: how did the results of the hackathon BRAVO 11 Will Bits2Effects influence the trajectory of military technology and strategy in the years to come?
