US Air Force Grants $1.25M Direct-to-Phase II Contract to Protopia AI to Exhibit Stained Glass Transformation Technology
In a significant collaboration, Protopia AI has secured a Direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract worth $1.25 million with the Air Force Sustainment Center Software Directorate (AFSC/SW). This partnership aims to enable secure software development using coding large language models (LLMs) by protecting proprietary code during AI-assisted coding processes [1][2].
The collaboration focuses on Protopia AI's flagship product, Stained Glass Transform (SGT), which will be developed for coding LLMs. This technology aims to prevent the exposure of sensitive code when interacting with LLMs, ensuring that proprietary codebases remain confidential while benefiting from the productivity and cost efficiencies of generative AI tools in software development across the Air Force.
Key benefits of this partnership include securing proprietary code, enabling secure use of on-premises AI infrastructure, driving mission-ready software development, and reducing costs while speeding development and testing efforts. By providing access to cutting-edge AI tools without compromising security, this collaboration seeks to demonstrate the practical utility of Protopia’s privacy-enhancing technology to securely unlock AI's advantages for the Air Force’s software development while addressing sensitive data protection concerns critical in defense contexts [1][2].
AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force (DAF), plays a pivotal role in this partnership. As a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX's mission is to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability.
AFRL, the primary scientific research and development center for the DAF, leads the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for air, space, and cyberspace forces. With a workforce spanning across nine technology areas and 40 other operations around the globe, AFRL's portfolio of science and technology ranges from fundamental to advanced research and technology development.
Since 2019, AFWERX has awarded over 10,400 contracts worth more than $7.24 billion. The award for Protopia AI was competitively selected through the AFRL/AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian, and contractor personnel at four hubs and sites. The contract is with the AFSC/SW.
This partnership highlights the critical need for dual-use technologies that enable secure and cost-efficient adoption of generative AI in both mission-critical environments and commercial applications. The contract represents a significant milestone for Protopia AI, further solidifying its reputation as a reliable and innovative technology partner for the military and other government agencies.
[1] Protopia AI Press Release. (2022). Protopia AI Awarded Direct-to-Phase II SBIR Contract by Air Force Sustainment Center Software Directorate. Retrieved from https://www.protopia.ai/news/protopia-ai-awarded-direct-to-phase-ii-sbir-contract-by-air-force-sustainment-center-software-directorate
[2] Air Force Research Laboratory. (2022). AFRL/AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Retrieved from https://www.afresearchlab.com/programs/sbir-sttr/sbir
- This partnership between Protopia AI and the Air Force Sustainment Center Software Directorate seeks to ensure scalability and security for cloud-based software development, utilizing Protopia's flagship product, Stained Glass Transform, to protect proprietary code during AI-assisted coding processes.
- To drive mission-ready software development in the Air Force, the collaboration aims to leverage affordable warfighting technologies, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and infrastructure, while prioritizing sensitive data protection critical in defense contexts.
- By demonstating the practical utility of Protopia’s privacy-enhancing technology, this partnership aims to showcase the potential of dual-use technologies, enabling secure and cost-efficient adoption of artificial-intelligence in both mission-critical environments and commercial applications.
