Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Research at IARPA
As part of its mission to address some of the most difficult challenges in the Intelligence Community, IARPA sponsors research programs and challenges that either leverage or improve Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), including:
- Aladdin Video, pioneered machine learning techniques in video by combining the state-of-the-art in video and audio extraction, knowledge representation, and search technologies to create a fast, accurate, robust, and extensible video search capability;
- Cyber-attack Automated Unconventional Sensor Environment (CAUSE), applies AI/ML-based models to develop novel, automated methods for event-based detection and prediction of cyber-attacks significantly earlier than existing approaches. Forecasting cyber-attack events with actionable details advances the state-of-the-art by enabling threat-specific cyber incident response and defense measures;
- Creation of Operationally Realistic 3D Environment (CORE3D), uses machine learning and deep learning techniques to develop methods for the construction of a fully automated high fidelity 3D model of the world using remote sensing data;
- Deep Intermodal Video Analytics (DIVA), leverages machine learning techniques to develop robust automatic activity detection in streaming video across multiple cameras;
- Finding Engineering-Linked Indicators (FELIX), uses AI for detection of engineering signatures across multiple biological organisms. The goal is to distinguish natural organisms from those that have been engineered;
- Functional Map of the World Challenge, developed algorithms that would quickly and accurately classify 63 classes of buildings and regions in satellite imagery. All the top participants used various forms of deep learning;
- Functional Genomic and Computational Assessment of Threats (Fun GCAT), develops AI/ML-based approaches to learn and classify genetic (e.g., DNA) sequence data by genetic taxonomy, sequence function, and threat potential;
- Mercury Challenge, asked challenge participants to make use of AI/ML approaches to forecast a variety of political events in the Middle East and North Africa region, such as non-violent civil unrest and military activity;
- Machine Intelligence from Cortical Networks (MICrONS), aims to revolutionize machine learning by reverse-engineering the algorithms of the brain. The program is expressly designed as a dialogue between data science and neuroscience;
- Machine Translation for English Retrieval of Information in Any Language (MATERIAL), develops machine learning methods to identify foreign language information from speech and text relevant to English queries, and providing evidence of relevance of the retrieved information in English in a meaningful way. Algorithms will be developed under low resource conditions and without foreign language expertise;
- Modeling of Reflectance Given Only Transmission of High-concentration Spectra for Chemical Recognition Over Widely-varying eNvironments (MORGOTH’S CROWN) Challenge, solicited new approaches for predicting the influence of effects such as substrate, loading, and deposition characteristics on the infrared spectra of trace chemicals on surfaces. Top participants used machine learning techniques;
- Multimodal Objective Sensing to Assess Individuals with Context (MOSAIC), extracts contextually-meaningful data from a variety of individual, environmental and social sensing data streams and uses machine learning and artificial intelligence-based models to estimate and predict psychological, cognitive, and physiological constructs, as well as estimates of overall job performance;
- Multi-View Stereo 3D Mapping (MSV) Challenge, required groups to develop algorithms that generated high resolution 3D point clouds of the physical world. It also created research opportunities to a new segment of the computer vision community by providing a baseline reconstruction algorithm for satellite imagery;
- OpenCLIR Challenge, developed machine learning methods in a low training data condition to retrieve Swahili speech and text documents relevant to English queries;
- Rapid Analysis of Various Emerging Nanoelectronics (RAVEN), uses AI/ML to accelerate the speed and accuracy of image processing for state-of-the-art integrated circuits;
- Strengthening Human Adaptive Reasoning and Problem-Solving (SHARP), used machine learning models of behavioral (e.g., test scores, cognitive tasks, self-report measures) and brain–based measures (e.g., MRI, EEG) to predict intelligence scores, responsiveness to interventions, and baseline neurophysiological and cognitive correlates of intelligence;
- Virtuous User Environment (VirtUE), uses adaptive learning algorithms to build analytic tools and technologies that would identify and respond to deviations in normal computer user activity which could prevent zero day attacks.
IARPA is always seeking novel ideas aligned with our mission. If you are interested in working with IARPA through one of our existing solicitations, prize challenges, requests for information, or other mechanisms, please see this link for more details.
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Quantum Programs at IARPA
As part of its mission to address some of the most difficult challenges in the Intelligence Community by investing in high-risk, high-payoff research, IARPA sponsors several applied research programs that explore the potential and possibilities in quantum computing. Current and previous quantum computing programs include:
- Coherent Superconducting Qubits (CSQ), which is designed to demonstrate a reproducible, ten-fold increase in coherence times in superconducting qubits;
- Logical Qubits (LogiQ), which aims to build the first logical qubit;
- Multi-Qubit Coherent Operations (MQCO), which is working to develop the foundation of an error-free quantum computer;
- Quantum Computer Science (QCS), which developed the world’s first high-level quantum programming language and compilers; and
- Quantum Enhanced Optimization (QEO), which seeks to harness quantum effects required to enhance quantum annealing solutions to hard combinatorial optimization problems.
IARPA is always seeking novel ideas aligned with our mission, and quantum research is a specific focus of the Computing research thrust. If you are interested in working with IARPA through one of our existing solicitations, prize challenges, requests for information, or other mechanisms, please see this link for more details.
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- Tunable spin–spin interactions and entanglement of ions in separate potential wells
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Neuroscience Programs at IARPA
The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) is an organization within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence that invests in high-risk, high-payoff research to tackle some of the most difficult challenges in the Intelligence Community. As part of this mission, IARPA sponsors several applied research programs that use multidisciplinary approaches to advance our understanding of cognition and computation in the brain. Currently active neuroscience programs include:
- Integrated Cognitive- Neuroscience Architectures for Understanding Sensemaking (ICArUS), which uses models to understand how the human brain is able to make sense of sparse, ambiguous data;
- Knowledge Representation in Neural Systems (KRNS), which seeks insights into the brain’s representation of conceptual knowledge;
- Machine Intelligence from Cortical Networks (MICrONS), which will reverse-engineer the algorithms of the brain to revolutionize machine learning;
- Strengthening Human Adaptive Reasoning and Problem-solving (SHARP), which will develop non-invasive neural interventions for optimizing reasoning and problem-solving.
IARPA is always seeking novel ideas aligned with our mission. If you are interested in working with IARPA through one of our existing solicitations, prize challenges, requests for information, or other mechanisms, please see this link for more details.
IARPA Joins White House BRAIN Initiative
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Research Programs
Below is a list of IARPA’s research. If there is a specific area of your interest that is not listed here, please contact one of our Program Managers for additional information. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your ideas for future research.
Current Research | View Past Research
Program | Research Area | Program Manager |
---|---|---|
Amon-Hen | Space situational awareness, optical interferometry, fiber optics, image reconstruction, computational imaging, small aperture telescopes, adaptive optics, astrometry, astronomy, optical sensors, optics, optical design | Merrick J. DeWitt |
BETTER | Human language technology, natural language processing, information extraction, information retrieval, active learning, multilingual processing | John Beieler |
C3 | Advanced/alternative computing technologies, superconducting microelectronics | Marc Manheimer |
CAUSE | Cybersecurity, cyber-event forecasting, cyber-actor behavior and cultural understanding, threat intelligence, threat modeling, cyber-event coding, cyber-kinetic event detection | Robert Rahmer |
CORE3D | Multi-view satellite image processing, multi-modal information fusion, deep learning, remote sensing, photogrammetry, image segmentation and classification, multispectral imagery processing, and geospatial volumetric 3D data representation methods | HakJae Kim |
CREATE | Logic, human judgment, critical thinking, forecasting | Steven Rieber |
DIVA | Machine learning, deep learning or hierarchical modeling, artificial intelligence, object detection, recognition, person detection and re-identification, person action recognition, video activity detection, tracking across multiple non-overlapping camera viewpoints, 3D reconstruction from video, super-resolution, stabilization, statistics, probability and mathematics | Jeff Alstott |
FELIX | Biological detection, systems biology, synthetic biology, genome editing, bioinformatics, evolutionary biology | Dion-SchultzAmanda Dion-Schultz |
FOCUS | Counterfactual reasoning, evidence-based approaches to lessons-learned analyses, analytic tradecraft, cognitive biases | Seth Goldstein |
Fun GCAT | Bioinformatics, DNA sequence screening, functional genomics, systems biology, infectious disease, and synthetic biology | Chris Pope |
HECTOR | Secure multiparty computation, homomorphic encryption, verifiable computing, compilers, programming languages, automated security analysis | Mark Heiligman |
HFC | Forecasting, human judgment, machine learning, decision making, human/machine interfaces, text analysis | Seth Goldstein |
HFGeo | Communication systems, ionosphere, antennas, geolocation, electromagnetics, radio frequency | Torreon Creekmore |
Ithildin | Sorbent chemistry, polymer chemistry, encapsulation, nanotechnology, micro-engineered materials, reaction kinetics, chemical analysis techniques | Kristy DeWitt |
Janus | Computer vision, image processing, pattern recognition, biometrics, facial recognition, identity intelligence, computer graphics | Lars Ericson |
LHO | Low acoustic small UAV aircraft, novel access, acoustic perception & minimum infrastructure | Sam Wilson |
LogiQ |
Advanced/alternative computing platforms, quantum information sciences, qubit systems |
Brad Blakestad |
MAEGLIN | Liquid and gas chromatography, flow cytometry, ion mobility spectrometry, preconcentrators and sorbants, ionization techniques, mass spectrometry, MEMS technology, microfluidics, computational fluid dynamics, signature library construction and use, clutter detection, multicomponent fits, basis set transformations, micro vacuum pump technology, low power electronics, device SWAP optimazation, regenerative energy sources and energy harvesting techiques. | Kristy DeWitt |
MATERIAL | Natural language processing, machine translation, cross-lingual information retrieval, domain recognition and adaptation, multilingual ontologies, Multilingual speech recognition, cross-lingual summarization, keyword search algorithms, low resource languages, automatic language identification, machine learning, rapid adaptation to new languages, domains and genres | Carl Rubino |
Mercury | SIGINT analytics, event forecasting, machine learning, streaming data, data fusion, disease outbreak | John Beieler |
MICrONS | Theoretical neuroscience, computational neuroscience, machine learning, connectomics, brain activity mapping | David Markowitz |
MIST | Polymer science, synthetic biology, synthesis technology, sequencing technology, storage controller technology, error-correcting codes | David Markowitz |
MOSAIC | Behavioral science, cognitive psychology, human performance, mobile computing, context sensing, signal processing, data fusion, machine learning, data privacy and security | Alexis Jeannotte |
Odin | Biometrics, presentation attack, machine learning, computer vision | Lars Ericson |
QEO | Quantum annealing, combinatorial optimization, quantum error correction, non-stoquastic quantum interactions, multi-spin entanglement, classical annealing, Quantum Monte Carlo, population annealing, parallel tempering, adaptive annealing schedules with measurement feedback | Brad Blakestad |
Proteos | Proteomics, single amino acid polymorphisms, genetically variable peptides, genomics, statistical analysis, molecular biology, human identification, forensic analysis, trace evidence samples | Chris Pope |
RAVEN | Microelectronics, nondestructive analysis, nanoscale imaging, hardware assurance | Bill Harrod |
SAILS | AI security, model inversion, membership inference, machine learning theory | John Beieler |
SCITE | Engineering enterprises that detect low probability events with low accuracy sensors, innovative research methods to evaluate analytic and forecasting tradecraft, innovative statistical methods to estimate performance of systems addressing complex analysis and forecasting problems, scientific research on organizational lessons-learned methods, evidence-based forecasting methods, inductive logic, probabilistic reasoning and its application to analytic tradecraft | Steven Rieber |
SHARP | Cognition, psychometrics, fluid reasoning and intelligence, neuroscience, human performance | Alexis Jeannotte |
SILMARILS | Chemical detection and identification (including standoff, remote, and ultra-compact/low power approaches), spectroscopy/spectrometry/chromatography, optical sensors, novel laser designs, frequency combs, nonlinear optics, fiber optic sensors/lasers/devices | Kristy DeWitt |
SuperCables | Superconducting electronics, photonics, cryogenics, optical communications | Marc Manheimer |
SuperTools | Superconducting electronics, advancements/alternatives to semiconductor-based exo-scale computing, cryogenic computing | Mark Heiligman |
TrojAI | AI security, Trojan detection, explainable AI | Jeff Alstott |
VirtUE | Computer virtualization, operating systems, cyber security, vulnerability analysis, insider threat remediation and detection, active defense, big data analytics, sensor fusion, user interfaces, anomalous event detection | Kerry Long |
Past Research
Program | Research Area |
---|---|
ACE | Forecasting, human judgment, machine learning, logic, critical thinking |
Aladdin Video | Image, photograph, video, multimedia, computer vision, natural language processing, image processing, big data, video analytics, machine learning, speech processing |
ATHENA | Cybersecurity |
Babel | Multilingual/multidialectal speech recognition, keyword search algorithms, speech reconition in noisy environments, low resource languages, rapid adaptation to new languages and environments, machine learning |
BEST | Biometrics, facial recognition, sensors, perception |
BIC | Weapons of mass destruction, chemical/biological warfare, human biomarkers, emerging biotechnologies |
CAT | Cybersecurity and information assurance, hardware assurance, microelectronics |
CSQ | Advanced/alternative computing platforms, quantum coherence, coherent qubit, quantum information sciences |
Finder | Geolocation, localization, geospatial fusion, data fusion, machine learning, big data, image processing, image, photograph, multimedia, computer vision, natural language processing |
ForeST | Forecasting, human judgment, machine learning, technical emergence, text analytics, big data, natural language processing |
FUSE | Technical emergence, text analytics, knowledge discovery, big data, social network analysis, natural language processing, forecasting, machine learning |
GHO | Low acoustic aircraft propulsion, low acoustic power generators, novel access, sensors, perception |
ICArUS | Knowledge discovery, brain, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, cognitive bias, judgment, decision making, behavioral science, human factors, training, tradecraft, data sense-making |
KDD | Ontologies, alignment, information extraction, clustering, natural language processing, social network analysis, summarization, query expansion, document similarity, machine learning |
KRNS | Knowledge discovery, brain, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, cognitive bias, judgment, decision making, behavioral science, human factors, training, tradecraft, data sense-making, linguistics, language, semantics, culture |
MQCO | Advanced/alternative computing platforms, quantum information sciences, qubit systems |
Metaphor | Natural language processing, cognitive science, cognitive linguistics, conceptual metaphors, metaphors, culture, automatic cultural insights from metaphors |
OSI | Large/errorful data sets, forecasting, public health, machine learning |
QCS | Quantum information sciences |
Reynard | Social media, online games, virtual worlds, socio-cultural and linguistic factors |
Sirius | Analytic insight and productivity, serious games, judgment, decision making |
SCIL | Natural language processing, sociology of groups, sociolinguistics, group behavior, social groups, online interaction, social roles |
SHO | Usability of analytic products, visualization |
SLiCE | Communication systems, geolocation, electromagnetics, radio frequency |
SPAR | Secure multiparty computation, private information retrieval, privacy and civil liberties protections |
STONESOUP | Cybersecurity and information assurance, software assurance, vulnerability detection and mitigation |
TIC | Cybersecurity and information assurance, hardware assurance, microelectronics |
TRUST | Interpersonal trust, neurophysiology, behavioral science, advanced data analytics, social science |