Artificial intelligence’s (AI) advancement has revolutionized various industries, including the defense and aerospace (A&D) industries. AI-powered systems are being used for critical applications such as predictive maintenance, autonomous vehicles, and decision support. AI is rapidly transforming the defense sector, with military organizations around the world leveraging AI technologies to enhance decision-making, improve situational awareness, and gain strategic advantages. In addition, AI is also being applied to intelligence gathering and analysis, predictive maintenance of military equipment, autonomous systems such as drones and vehicles, and cybersecurity.
For example, AI algorithms can process vast amounts of data from multiple sources, such as satellite imagery, social media, and sensor networks, to identify potential threats and provide actionable insights to military decision-makers. However, the development of AI models relies heavily on vast amounts of data and intellectual property (IP), which must be protected from theft, misuse, and malicious manipulation. This is where blockchain technology can play a crucial role.
The Role of Blockchain in AI
Blockchain, a decentralized and immutable ledger system, offers a secure and transparent way to track the provenance of data and IP used in training AI models. By recording data transactions and model iterations on a blockchain, organizations can create an auditable trail of the development process, ensuring that all contributors are properly credited and compensated for their work. This is particularly important in the A&D industry, where sensitive data and proprietary algorithms are often involved.
Moreover, blockchain can help safeguard against the injection of malicious or inaccurate data that could compromise the integrity of AI models (known as “data-poisoning” attacks. By using blockchain-based data validation mechanisms, such as multi-party computation and zero-knowledge proofs, organizations can ensure that only verified and trusted data sources are used in model training. This can prevent adversarial attacks, such as data poisoning, which could lead to biased or misleading outputs.
SIMBA as a leading blockchain technology developer for the US defense establishment, is currently working to develop blockchain applications for AI and aims to be able to deliver working solutions soon. Working from our blockchain platform, already in use in the US military, SIMBA is develop a series of add-ons to our core blockchain suit to provide the ability to track data provenance and ensure data integrity and lineage in a range of applications that are applicable to AI. In so doing we are developing these solutions in line with current US DOD policy on AI and the potential use cases identified by DOD and the A&D industry.
The Role of AI in Defense
The use of blockchain for protecting AI IP and data integrity has significant implications for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the A&D industry. As these organizations increasingly rely on AI for mission-critical applications, ensuring the security and reliability of AI systems becomes paramount. By leveraging blockchain, the DoD and A&D companies can:
- Protect sensitive data and IP: Blockchain enables secure sharing and tracking of data and IP across multiple parties, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or theft.
- Ensure data provenance and accountability: Blockchain provides a tamper-proof record of data transactions and model iterations, enabling organizations to verify the origin and authenticity of data used in AI development.
- Foster collaboration and innovation: By creating a trusted environment for data and IP sharing, blockchain can facilitate collaboration between the DoD, A&D companies, and academic institutions, leading to faster innovation and deployment of AI solutions.
- Enhance operational security: By ensuring the integrity of AI models and data, blockchain can help prevent adversarial attacks and mitigate the risk of compromised AI systems in critical defense and aerospace applications.
The DOD has recognized the transformative potential of AI and has established policies and initiatives to guide its development and adoption within the military. The DoD AI Strategy, released in 2019, outlines five key strategic objectives:
- Scale AI's impact across DoD through a common foundation that enables decentralized development and experimentation.
- Cultivate a leading AI workforce.
- Engage with commercial, academic, and international allies and partners.
- Lead in military ethics and AI safety.
To achieve these objectives, DOD established the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO) with the goal of accelerating “DOD adoption of data, analytics, and artificial intelligence from the boardroom to the battlefield to enable decision advantage”. The CDAO envisions a modern and agile Department of Defense that fully delivers on the National Defense Strategy through a robust digital hierarchy of needs that enables Department leaders and warfighters to make proactive, timely, and impactful decisions.
Within the parameters of the DoD AI Strategy, the department could explore the applicability of blockchain technology to enhance the security, transparency, and accountability of AI systems. Some potential areas for testing and implementation include:
- Secure data sharing: The DoD could pilot blockchain-based platforms for secure data sharing among different military branches, allies, and partners. This would enable collaborative AI development while protecting sensitive data and IP.
- Supply chain transparency: Blockchain could be used to create a transparent and auditable record of the AI supply chain, from data sourcing to model deployment. This would help ensure the integrity and provenance of AI components and prevent the introduction of malicious or compromised elements.
- Model versioning and auditing: By recording AI model iterations and performance metrics on a blockchain, the DoD could maintain a tamper-proof record of model development and validation. This would enhance accountability and help detect any unauthorized modifications or performance degradation.
- Decentralized AI governance: The DoD could explore the use of blockchain-based smart contracts to enforce AI governance policies, such as data usage restrictions, model performance requirements, and ethical guidelines. This would create a transparent and auditable system for ensuring compliance with DoD AI principles.
To test the applicability of blockchain to AI within the DoD, the department could establish pilot projects in collaboration with industry partners and academic institutions. These projects should focus on specific use cases that align with the DoD’s AI priorities and demonstrate measurable benefits in terms of security, transparency, and performance. The lessons learned from these pilots could then inform the development of broader blockchain-based AI governance frameworks and standards within the DoD.
Parallel to this, the A&D industry should actively explore the integration of blockchain technology into their AI development and deployment processes to unlock significant business benefits. To test the role of blockchain in AI, A&D companies could initiate pilot projects focusing on specific use cases, such as securing intellectual property, ensuring data integrity, and enabling secure collaboration with partners. These projects should involve close collaboration with blockchain experts, AI developers, and domain specialists to identify the most promising applications and develop proof-of-concept solutions. By measuring the impact of blockchain on key performance indicators, such as data security, model accuracy, and development time, A&D companies can build a strong business case for wider adoption.
The potential business benefits of leveraging blockchain in AI include reduced costs associated with data breaches and IP theft, increased operational efficiency through streamlined and secure data sharing, faster innovation cycles enabled by trusted collaboration, and enhanced competitiveness in the market. As the A&D industry continues to rely on AI for critical applications, the successful integration of blockchain will become a key differentiator, ensuring the security, reliability, and integrity of AI systems while driving long-term business value.
Conclusion
Blockchain technology offers a promising solution for protecting AI intellectual property and ensuring data integrity in the defense and aerospace industry. By aligning blockchain adoption with its AI Strategy and policies, DOD can create a secure and transparent environment for AI development, fostering innovation, collaboration, and trust. As the use of AI continues to grow in critical military applications, the integration of blockchain will become increasingly important for ensuring the security, reliability, and ethical use of these powerful technologies.
