AI, Data, Deepfakes and the Future of Defense Acquisitions, Fundings: Align AI, ClearTrust, Keyavi
31 January 2024 - A Weekly Publication by New North Ventures
We are excited to launch our latest Securing Our Future episode featuring Jim Smith, a distinguished member of the Senior Executive Service and the Acquisition Executive at U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. With a remarkable background spanning military service, academia, and leadership in defense acquisitions, Jim brings a wealth of experience to our conversation.
In this episode, he shares insights into his unique journey from infantry officer to leading special operations forces acquisition, technology, and logistics. We delve into his extensive career, which includes roles such as Chief of Firepower Division at the U.S. Army Infantry Center, Product Manager for Soldier Sensors and Lasers, and Deputy Director for Acquisition at USSOCOM. His diverse experiences offer a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges within defense acquisitions, providing valuable perspectives for both industry professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Tune in as Jim discusses the evolving landscape of defense acquisitions, the role of artificial intelligence and data, and the importance of fostering collaboration between the government and private sector. Whether you're interested in the future of military technology or navigating the intricacies of defense procurement, this episode offers engaging insights from a seasoned leader at the forefront of special operations acquisitions. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation with Jim Smith. Listen wherever you stream your podcasts or on Spotify below:
Explicit Deepfake Images of Taylor Swift Elude Safeguards and Swamp Social Media
Fake, sexually explicit images of Taylor Swift generated by artificial intelligence spread rapidly on social media platforms, with one image viewed 47 million times on X (formerly Twitter) before the account was suspended.
X and other social media platforms took efforts to remove the faked images, but they continued to spread despite these measures.
The images were created using a diffusion model, an A.I.-driven technology accessible through over 100,000 apps and publicly available models, according to New North Ventures portfolio company Reality Defender.
The incident reignited calls from lawmakers to protect women and regulate platforms and technologies that spread nonconsensual explicit content, with concerns raised about the increasing use of A.I. for creating deepfakes.
Growing Concerns Amid Rise of Deepfakes of 2024 Presidential Candidates
Reality Defender CEO Ben Colman sits down with NBC News to discuss the increasing risk to elections and the ease with which another person’s voice can be deepfaked.
How to Land and Convert Your First Defense Pilots
The article guides defense startups on securing government contracts, drawing from Vannevar's experience. It covers planning, pitching mission, running pilots, and converting them into programs.
Emphasizes mapping end-users and aligning with program offices, crucial for securing DoD funding.
Urges startups to focus on building exciting products and pitching missions rather than features.
Highlights the need for speed in initiating pilots, even if funding is limited, and generating quick mission outcomes.
Stresses aligning pilot outputs with program objectives and involving program managers for long-term deployment.
Short Takes:
Founded: 2021
Key People: CEO Gijung Kim
Elevator Pitch: A next-generation product analytics tool intended for artificial intelligence-native products.
Funding: The company raised $3.5 million of seed funding from Danal Company, Seoul Techno Holdings and KB Investment on January 29, 2024.
Founded: 2020
Key People: CEO Deepankar Biswas
Elevator Pitch: A fraud mitigation platform designed to detect invalid advertisement traffic and leads on the website.
Funding: The company raised $1.9 million of venture funding in a deal led by Ideaspring Capital on January 29, 2024.
Founded: 2018
Key People: CEO Elliot Lewis
Elevator Pitch: A data encryption technology designed to protect and secure corporate data.
Funding: The company raised $730,967 of venture funding from undisclosed investors on January 25, 2024.
Look for a new episode of Securing the Future Podcasts wherever you listen. In our most recent episode, we have Jim Smith, Acquisition Executive at U.S. Special Operations Command, sit down with General Partner Jeremy Hitchcock for an engaging conversation about the evolving landscape of defense acquisitions, the role of artificial intelligence and data, and the importance of fostering collaboration between the government and private sector.
