CNA is a trusted partner to government agencies working to unlock the potential of AI and autonomy in solving their toughest national and homeland security challenges. Our Center for Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy (CAIA) brings together our most talented analysts, scientists, and engineers to support government decision-makers with data-driven analytics to plan, implement, and evaluate their use of AI. Our efforts help ensure government AI systems and initiatives are well governed and sufficiently resourced, their outputs are impactful and trustworthy, and their implementation is safe and secure. This ultimately improves productivity, efficiency, and speed of government operations. Our AI work includes decades of support to the Departments of Defense, Justice, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services, the Federal Aviation Administration, and state and local agencies.
AI and Autonomy Use Cases. CNA’s technical expertise allows us to translate strategic vision into technological opportunities and measurable business impacts. By understanding operational constraints, assessing data availability, and mitigating risks in implementation, we bridge the gap between the theoretically possible and the practically successful. By identifying the highest-impact use cases that effectively support the user, we ensure that AI adds value—rather than complexity—in meeting our clients’ real-world needs.
On April 20, 2023, CNA’s National Security Seminar (NSS) series hosted a virtual panel discussion on the challenges, opportunities, and risks of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into nuclear operations. The event was centered on a recently released CNA report, Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Operations.
Capabilities and Solutions. CNA builds custom AI models for mission-specific tasks, transforming large quantities of raw information into actionable insights that would otherwise be invisible. Machine learning techniques—from deep learning to image classification and generative AI—allow CNA to discover the hidden patterns embedded in large datasets, increasing efficiency while delivering personalized solutions to complex problems. In congressional testimony, now-retired Admiral William Lescher praised CNA’s “exceptional data scientist group…that uses data in incredibly powerful ways."
This episode covers the inception, development, and potential of CNA’s internal large language model, Morse Code.
As cities across the country become more networked and connected with smart sensors, more data is available to first responders than ever before. But how can this data be interpreted efficiently in emergencies where every second counts?
In this episode, John Crissman and Shaelynn Hales from CNA and Godfrey Nolan, founder and CEO of RIIS LLC, join the show. We discuss their award-winning First Responder Awareness Monitoring during Emergencies (FRAME) System, which takes in data from these sensors, uses machine learning to interpret the information, and aggregates that into a common data view to increase emergency situational awareness.
Integration and Use. CNA integrates AI into core government workflows while safeguarding its trustworthiness, transparency, and security. Our focus on interoperability, human-machine teaming, and robust compliance allows CNA to deliver scalable intelligence where it matters most for our government clients. By leveraging both technical expertise and deep experience with public sector needs, CNA supports AI solutions that are fully integrated into government operations, not siloed with limited utility.
Performance and Analysis. CNA evaluates the performance and reliability of AI tools—both internally and externally developed—creating and using rigorous metrics relevant to the client’s mission. CNA’s technical expertise allows our team to measure and understand how speed, accuracy, clarity, bias, and other factors come together to impact the utility and trustworthiness of an AI solution. Techniques such as scenario testing and red teaming allow us to identify where AI capabilities are working well, where they’re falling short, and how they can be improved.
Policy, Guidance, and Risk Reduction. CNA helps clients develop policies that foster innovation while safeguarding public trust and upholding the highest standards of accountability. We empower government agencies to navigate the complexities of AI with tailored policy solutions that ensure ethical, transparent, secure, and effective AI deployment. At CNA, we understand that legal and ethical oversight are an integral part of delivering capabilities that create value for our clients.
“The Center for AI and Autonomy focuses our deep expertise in artificial intelligence to help warfighters, first responders, and other national and homeland security leaders integrate emerging technologies into their operations for enhanced performance.”
CNA Executive Vice President Timothy Beres
