In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a global hot topic, especially since OpenAI introduced ChatGPT. The U.S. Department of Defense and security agencies have quickly responded by investing heavily in AI projects.
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According to an analysis by Fortune magazine, the Department of Defense (DoD) has signed contracts worth approximately $670 million over the past two years, involving nearly 323 companies focused on various AI-related projects. This figure represents a 20% increase from 2021 and 2022, both in the number of collaborating companies and the total contract value.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not been left behind, spending $22 million on contracts over the past two years, collaborating with 20 companies, which is more than three times the expenditure of the previous two years. By analyzing public contracts and expenditure data, it is evident that the DoD is actively collaborating with numerous well-known technology contractors and some emerging startups, such as Palantir and Scale AI.
Among these, the DoD's largest AI contract since the 2023 fiscal year was signed with ECS, valued at $117 million, aimed at designing and developing prototypes of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for the U.S. Army. Additionally, Palantir received a $91 million contract to test end-to-end AI solutions in defense scenarios.
Apart from these major contracts, the DoD has 83 ongoing AI project contracts with various companies, with payment amounts ranging from as low as $4 million. If all these contracts are paid on time, it is expected that by next year, the DoD's expenditure on AI projects will exceed $1 billion.
In the case of the Department of Homeland Security, the largest contract is relatively small, at $4 million, primarily handled by the marketing company LMD, providing marketing and AI services for the Coast Guard. Notably, LMD is also responsible for the DHS's "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign.
Currently, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security have provided little comment on these projects. However, these contracts indicate that the U.S. government is increasingly prioritizing AI technology, hoping to enhance defense and security capabilities through AI.
Key Points:
🌐 The U.S. Department of Defense has invested approximately $670 million in AI projects following the launch of ChatGPT, collaborating with 323 companies.
💰 The Department of Homeland Security has also signed contracts worth $22 million, more than three times the previous two-year expenditure.
🤖 It is projected that by next year, the DoD's total expenditure on AI projects will exceed $1 billion.