The U.S. Army is exploring various generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools and platforms, according to media reports. Called Project Athena, the program aims to assess the use cases and cost models of commercially available generative AI technologies to enhance the service’s back-end office operations.

“We’re going to assess different tools so that we can equip Army organizations with information. What capabilities should you consider based on your use cases? What is the cost model and what do you need to know about that?” Jennifer Swanson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Data, Engineering and Software reportedly said.

She explained that Project Athena evaluates generative AI tools and platforms to analyze their features, use cases, and costs, while also exploring cost mitigation strategies and assessing the benefits of different deployment architectures.

Last year, it was reported that the U.S. Army is focusing on using AI to support its contracting workforce, which is experiencing a substantial rise in workload.

“AI can help a contracting officer [work] faster and more accurately. So, we are putting those things in place, and already have pilot programs underway where we are trying out [AI capabilities] to help everything from market research to writing initial [proposal requests], draft contracts, and doing evaluations of contracts,” Doug Bush, the Army’s assistant secretary for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, said during a Defense News webinar.