US Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Launches Pilot to Standardize Evaluation for Computer Vision Models

The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has launched an AI accreditation pilot program to establish a new government standard for evaluating the robustness and reliability of computer vision models used for national security purposes, according to Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).

Whitworth introduced the Accreditation of GEOINT AI Models (AGAIM) initiative during a roundtable in Washington hosted by the Defense Writers Group, the Defensescoop reported.

“The accreditation pilot will expand the responsible use of GEOINT AI models — and posture NGA and the GEOINT enterprise to better support the warfighter and create new intelligence insights. Accreditation will provide a standardized evaluation framework. It implements risk management, promotes a responsible AI culture, enhances AI trustworthiness, accelerates AI adoption and interoperability, and recognizes high-quality AI while identifying areas for improvement,” Whitworth said.

A key mission of the NGA is overseeing the entire AI development pipeline for the U.S. military's advanced and evolving computer vision program– Maven.

Advanced computer vision models, driven by AI, assist NGA analysts in rapidly interpreting the vast amounts of satellite imagery and geospatial data collected continuously.

The NGA is a combat support agency within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and is dedicated to collecting, analyzing, and disseminating geospatial intelligence to support national security.