GrammaTech will explore the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence to automate software tools' design, testing and implementation under a contract of an undisclosed sum from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The company said Monday research findings will be available on Mnemosyne, its open source tool being designed to serve as an automated software development assistant that will help ensure documentation aligns with implementation. With support from GrammaTech, DARPA aims to help developers employ statistical machine learning, formal methods and search-based software engineering to tackle problem definition and high-level software design via the Intent Defined Adaptive Software program. "By separating problem definition from implementation, this project will help make it possible for software developers to focus on'what to do', by handling the details of'how to do it' using automated code synthesis and adaptation tools," said Alexey Loginov, vice president of research at GrammaTech. The agency plans to roll out a framework that optimizes modern software development environments and yields various types of intent specification.

Leonardo DRS' facility in Cypress, California, will operate as a center of excellence to develop artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies for the U.S. government. The facility, which has served as Advanced Engineering CoE under Leonardo DRS' electro-optical and infrared systems business, offers expertise in technologies applicable to multiple domains such as land and space, the company said Monday. The CoE is part of the Leonardo Laboratories initiative that aims to establish a global network of research and development sites. The Leonardo Labs effort tackles the areas of AI and high-performance computing, materials and space technologies, electronics and sensing and aircraft technologies. The laboratories will study applications in AI, autonomous systems, high-performance calculation, quantum computing and other modern technology topics relevant to customers.

The Department of Defense wants industry to give its Joint Artificial Intelligence Center ideas for a project aimed at creating a model to automate and accelerate AI technology acquisition processes. JAIC is looking to use other transaction authority for prototyping an automated business process system, according to a sources sought notice published Friday. Interested parties have until Oct. 9 to provide input. Goals of the project include driving JAIC's collaboration with non-traditional contractors within the commercial and academic sectors and increasing its adoption of Agile and DevSecOps approaches to manage programs of record, the Aug. 28 RFI notice says. The center initially posted a request for information to determine a potential nonprofit manager for its planned AI acquisition business model.