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12 Apr 24. UK and Republic of Korea to build on legacy of Bletchley Park.
UK and Republic of Korea forging ahead with plans for the AI Seoul Summit on 21 and 22 May.
- Leading AI nations to join two days of talks at AI Seoul Summit on 21 and 22 May
- summit will address capabilities of frontier AI models and further commitments from developers on AI safety
- talks to also focus on promoting innovation and how the technology’s benefits can be shared equally
The UK and the Republic of Korea are forging ahead with plans for the next wave of global discussions on the safe development of Artificial Intelligence, with the AI Seoul Summit set for 21 and 22 May.
The summit will spearhead discussions on AI safety, addressing the potential capabilities of the most advanced AI models, building on the Bletchley Declaration and wider agreements which were reached at the AI Safety Summit in the UK last November, which included commitments from developers on AI safety.
Countries will also gather for talks on how the technology can be made more inclusive, ensuring the benefits and opportunities of AI are shared equally – and how attendees can further advance innovation. AI innovations have already helped to realise important breakthroughs in areas such as healthcare and drug discovery, and is being used to increasing effect in other settings such as education and tackling climate change.
Day one of the AI Seoul Summit will see a virtual leaders’ session co-chaired by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol. A select number of global industry leaders will also be invited, to update on how they are fulfilling the commitments made at Bletchley Park to ensure the safety of their models. This comes ahead of an in-person meeting of Digital Ministers on the second day, which is co-hosted by UK Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, and Korean Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-Ho.
Next month’s summit continues the legacy of the Bletchley Park discussions, capitalising on its momentum to once again bring international governments, AI companies, academia, and civil society together to advance the global AI safety agenda. This next round of talks comes at a critical time for the technology, with increasingly capable and advanced AI models expected to be released over the course of 2024.
UK Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan said: “The summit we held at Bletchley Park in November was a generational moment. We agreed the historic Bletchley Declaration and have ensured discussions around AI safely are firmly on the international agenda. If we continue to bring international governments and a broad range of voices together, I have every confidence that we can continue to develop a global approach which will allow us to realise the transformative potential of this generation-defining technology safely and responsibly. I am looking forward to building on the ‘Bletchley effect’ with this next round of talks in the Republic of Korea, who are perfectly placed with their rich history of technological innovation to advance the global conversation on AI safety.”
Minister Lee Jong-Ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea said: “The AI Safety Summit held in Bletchley, UK last year marked a milestone in which the government, industry and academia coming together to address the potential risks of AI, and I am pleased that the Republic of Korea takes the baton from the UK. AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace that exceeds our expectations, and it is crucial to establish global norms and governance to harness such technological innovations to enhance the welfare of humanity. We hope that the AI Seoul Summit will serve as an opportunity to strengthen global cooperation on not only AI safety but also AI innovation and inclusion, and promote sustainable AI development.”
Innovation is a particular focus for the UK’s overall approach to AI, with projects such as the Manchester Prize marking a decade-long commitment of £1 million every year by the government to tap into the technology and advance solutions to pressing challenges such as climate change and energy efficiency.
The UK continues to drive forward international collaboration on AI safety through the AI Safety Institute – the world’s first state-backed body dedicated to AI safety. The Institute has already published a detailed approach to model safety evaluations, rapidly expanded its researcher ranks, and earlier this month put pen to paper on an historic agreement with the United States on AI safety.
The AI Seoul Summit will be accompanied by the release of the first iteration of the International Scientific Report on Advanced AI Safety – a key commitment from the Bletchley Park Summit which is being independently led by Turing Prize winner Yoshua Bengio and brings together the best existing scientific research on AI safety from across the globe. The international expert review panel for the report includes representatives from the UK, the Republic of Korea, and other leading AI nations.
The UK will continue to work closely with international governments, AI companies and civil society, to ensure people across the globe can safely realise the transformative benefits of AI to unlock new opportunities, transform productivity and public services, and power economic growth.
Further details on summit attendees will be announced in due course.
The virtual Leaders’ session on day one ‘Building upon the AI Safety Summit: towards an Innovative and Inclusive Future’ will deepen the consensus on AI safety while also focusing on broader aspects of global AI governance around innovation and inclusivity.
Talks on day two will be held in Seoul, and ministers will discuss ways to ensure AI safety and explore ways to foster the sustainable development of AI.
The AI Seoul Summit is the latest international summit on AI safety, kickstarted at Bletchley Park last November and continuing with a further planned summit in France over the next 12 months.
Ahead of the AI Seoul Summit the UK has appointed Imran Shafi, Director of AI Policy at the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, and Henry De Zoete, the Prime Minister’s adviser on Artificial Intelligence, to spearhead preparations. Approaches to AI should complement a country’s existing strengths, which is why the UK has cemented its regulatory approach in the wake of the discussions at Bletchley Park. In February, the government published its response to the AI Regulation White Paper consultation. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
09 Apr 24. Day and Night Heads Up Display (DANHUD)
Assessment Event (AE)
25-27 June 2024
Host Name: Kristen Foraker
Location: SOFWERX
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Submit NLT 22 May 2024 11:59 PM ET
U.S. Citizens Only, ITAR Restricted
Purpose
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office Special Operation Forces – Warrior (PEO-SW) will host the Day and Night Heads Up Display (DANHUD) Assessment Event (AE) to identify solutions to enhance operator capability and situational awareness in both day and night conditions and decrease white-light self-illumination risk.
Background/Synopsis
With the rapid advancements in both Augmented Reality (AR) and plug-ins that provide additional capability to the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), USSOCOM operators require a device that can display a wide variety of information without requiring the operator to look down at the End User Device (EUD) display on their chest. Such a device is expected to take the form of a look-through Heads-Up-Display (HUD) that would either mount onto the operator’s helmet or be integrated into ballistic eye wear, allowing for seamless heads-up operation. Because ATAK and future AR initiatives provide capability in both day and night conditions, this HUD device needs to be capable of being bright enough to be seen in sunlight, but also be used in conjunction with an operator’s Night Vision Goggles (NVG). Thus, the name for this device – Day And Night Heads-Up-Display (DANHUD).
Additionally, the operator must be able to quickly and easily change the type and number of battery cells powering their NVGs and the DANHUD system via a Modular Smart Battery Pack, allowing flexibility/adaptability in degraded logistics situations.
Objective
The objective is to discover and develop a HUD system (including a Modular Smart Battery Pack) that is capable of working both ‘stand-alone’ in daylight conditions and in conjunction with currently issued NVGs and future Advanced NVGs (such as the L3Harris Fusion Binocular (F-BINO) or Fused Panoramic NVG (F-PANO)) with integrated cameras/displays for night operation. Additionally, the HUD system needs to be able to receive data from an EUD-operating ATAK and be capable of powering and interfacing with helmet-mounted directional laser warning devices. The solutions provider(s) shall create an Interface Control Document (ICD) that allows ‘plug-and-play’ upgrades to the DANHUD system in the future. They should also expect to collaborate with USSOCOM operators to refine operator touch points and functionality throughout the development of the system.
Potential solutions providers should propose to each individual area (DANHUD Display Hardware, Modular Smart Battery Pack, and/or DANHUD Display Software) separately if they wish propose against more than one area. Potential solutions providers should be prepared to work collaboratively with other companies.
Why You Should Participate
USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by PEO-SW Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive, and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or Section 4022(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.
Event Timeline
Phase 1 – 09 April 2024 to 22 May 2024 Submissions to the Assessment Event (AE) Open: Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that meet the needs of USSOCOM are encouraged to submit their capability for USSOCOM review. To submit your technology for potential Phase 3 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions at the bottom of this webpage.
Phase 1a – 29 April 2024 Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the PM’s specific technology objectives. The telecon will take place on 29 April from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET. Click Here to RSVP
Phase 2 – 23 May 2024 to 03 June 2024 Downselect: USSOCOM will downselect those respondents/submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their technology needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE on/around 04 June.
Phase 3 – 25 June 2024 to 27 June 2024 Assessment Event (AE): During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion and discussions may continue outside of the event. Solution brief presentation guidelines will be outlined in the event invitation and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 4 may immediately begin.
This event will be held in person at SOFWERX but will have a virtual component.
Phase 4 – Path Forward: Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:
- Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award through the SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) (15 U.S. Code Section 3715)
- OTA for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022)
o An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award based upon successful prototype criteria, which will be determined for each prototype project.
- Procurement for experimental purposes (10 U.S. Code Section 4023)
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code Section 3710a)
- Prizes for advanced technology achievements (10 U. S. Code Section 4025) and/or prize competitions (15 U.S. Code 3719)
- FAR-based procurement contract
NOTE: Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations
How You Can Participate
Government, Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees
- RSVP to attend the 29 April Q&A Telecon: Click Here to RSVP (NLT 28 April 2024 11:59 PM ET)
- Review Assessment Criteria: Click Here to Review
- Download the White Paper Template: Click Here to Download
- Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit
Questions?
For event-related questions, please contact Kristen Foraker
09 Apr 24. The future of ILA is secure until 2030.
- Partners sign framework agreement for staging ILA
- Huge significance for the Berlin/Brandenburg region and Germany as a location for industry and innovation
- The next ILA will take place from 5 to 9 June 2024 at BER Airport
At today’s joint cabinet meeting of the Senate of Berlin and the government of the State of Brandenburg the two states concluded a framework agreement for staging ILA Berlin from 2026 to 2030. The signatories to the agreement were the Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises Franziska Giffey, the Minister for Economics, Employment and Energy Dr. Jörg Steinbach, the CEO of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH Aletta von Massenbach, the CEO of Messe Berlin Dr. Mario Tobias, and the member of the board of the German Aerospace Industries Association Martin Kroell.
Since 1992, ILA has been held at Schönefeld Airport and since 2012 at the Berlin-ExpoCenter-Airport site in the Schönefeld district of Selchow, on the grounds of Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). With today’s signing of the new ILA framework agreement for 2026 to 2030, the parties underlined the aerospace trade fair’s importance and secured the staging of ILA in Berlin/Brandenburg until 2030.
As Europe’s leading innovative trade fair for the aerospace industry, ILA showcases the future of aviation. Every two years it gathers figures from the international industry, politics, the armed forces, research and science at BER Airport for a dialogue on innovation, new technology and sustainability. On the Open Weekend it gives the wider public the opportunity of a first-hand experience of the latest aerospace trends.
Dr. Dietmar Woidke, Minister President of the federal State of Brandenburg:
“ILA is the world’s longest-running air show and the most important showcase for the industry in Germany. As one of three leading centres of aviation technology excellence, the Berlin/Brandenburg region is the ideal venue for ILA and benefits hugely from it. It gives an enormous boost to the region in terms of growth and employment. That is why it was important for Brandenburg to secure a long-term prospect and planning certainty for ILA. With the signing of the framework agreement we paved the way for that today. The States of Berlin and Brandenburg want to accompany the future development of this long-standing and important event.“
Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin:
“The International Air Show (ILA) is the most important showcase for the industry in Germany. 115 years after it was first launched it continues to exhibit cutting-edge aerospace technology. At this year’s ILA the focus is on forward-looking topics such as climate-neutral aviation and digitalisation. With the framework agreement, Berlin and Brandenburg have secured the staging of ILA until 2030. Aerospace is a key industry that creates and secures good jobs in the Berlin/Brandenburg region.“
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Steinbach, Economics Minister of the State of Brandenburg:
“ILA is Brandenburg’s most important industrial fair. The new framework agreement is the result of close cooperation between the five partners of ILA. I would like to thank our four partners for committing to the new framework agreement which runs until 2030. This ensures planning certainty for those involved and for all future exhibitors at ILA. That sends an important message to the entire aerospace sector and every related industry.”
Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises:
“ILA has established itself globally as a leading trade fair for the aerospace industry.
It is a symbol of the international competitive standing and innovative drive of the Berlin/Brandenburg region and of all of East Germany as a high-tech business location. The aerospace industry with around 17,000 employees is a key industry in the metropolitan region of Berlin/Brandenburg. We want to further strengthen its dynamic development with ILA, and in doing so secure more long-term jobs for the region. Today we are taking yet another step towards becoming Europe’s leading business location for innovation.“
Aletta von Massenbach, CEO, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH:
“With the staging of ILA now guaranteed until 2030, both hosts and international participants have more planning certainty for this important innovative trade fair. This will boost business in the Berlin/Brandenburg region and further the ongoing dialogue for developing low-emissions technology for the aerospace industry. We very much look forward to visitors at the exhibition grounds at BER.”
Martin Kroell, member of the board of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI):
“As the owner of the ILA brand the BDLI is pleased that the show has received this strong backing from committed partners. This is not something we take for granted, rather it gives us further encouragement. ILA is invaluable for the German aerospace industry, in particular for SMEs, because it involves all the stakeholders and concentrates and drives our topics of the future.“
Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin: “Be it climate-neutral aviation, optimum equipment for the armed forces, or monitoring the environment and climate from space – in times such as these especially the topics at ILA are more pressing and important than ever. ILA is Europe’s leading innovative trade fair for the aerospace industry and is the ideal platform for finding out about the latest industry topics, networking and for dialogue.“
08 Apr 24. Hundreds of local students experience their first taste of the aviation industry showing the sky’s the limit. The innovative aircraft supply and support organisation, Affinity Flying Training Services (Affinity) has teamed up for another year with the Air and Space Institute (ASI) to deliver a series of workshops for young, aspiring aviation enthusiasts. The sessions were tailored to give students support and direction, offering opportunities for young people with interests in aeronautics to speak with experts in the aviation industry and learn about exciting career pathways. Affinity, most known for being a trusted provider of aircraft supply and maintenance services for the first stages of the UK Military Flying Training System, has played a vital role to date in encouraging young people to pursue careers in aviation. Operating across the UK from RAF Barkston Heath, RAF Cranwell and RAF Valley, the company makes significant contributions to the UK’s military aviation sector. Affinity and ASI launched the series of workshops at the start of the year for students who are currently studying on their L3 pilot and aviation operations and L3 aircraft engineering programmes. The sessions provided invaluable insight for the students, who were able to meet with representatives from Affinity who shared their knowledge and experiences. The workshops experienced high levels of engagement from both the students and industry experts, offering the opportunity for Affinity to contribute to helping develop the next generation of aviation experts. Across all sessions there were large levels of participation, with approximately 60-80 students attending the first event at Newark College. The following 4 sessions took place at the Affinity premises at RAF Cranwell. The sessions included a CV workshop run by the Affinity HR team which gave the students guidance on how to craft a standout CV. The students then had the opportunity to hear the stories and ask career and industry specific questions from key members of the Affinity team including members of the Engineering, Delivery, Continuing Airworthiness Management, and Aviation Safety teams. After the series of speeches, the students took a tour of the aircraft hangar and offices, where they saw first-hand Affinity’s operations, learned a bit more about the aircraft Affinity service, and even got to view the cockpit of one of the Phenoms!
Speaking on the recent workshops, Ross Tarnowski, Assistant Principal Air & Space Institute and Engineering, Lincoln College Group, said: “The recent workshops for our ASI students clearly demonstrate the value of a strong industry partnership through working with Affinity. For our students to be able to gain invaluable, first-hand experience of the aviation sector linked to their current studies provides a real opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours required in industry. The visits were excellent, giving a great insight to what Affinity do on a day-to-day basis. The ASI partnership with Affinity is also vital in developing the curricula that my team delivers, linking employer needs to educational programmes, to ensure that our students are best prepared for their future career goals in the aviation, aerospace or space sectors.”
Rachel Gale, Head of HR for Affinity, said: “Working with outstanding academic institution like ASI Newark is key to nurturing the future talent for our industry. I have the pleasure of sitting on ASI’s Skills and Advisory Board, and working in partnership with them to create opportunities for both Affinity and ASI are incredibly rewarding.”
08 Apr 24. Registration Open for SOF Week 2024 in Tampa. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Global Special Operations Forces (SOF) Foundation (GSOF) will co-host SOF Week in Tampa, FL, 6-10 May.
SOF Week is an annual conference for the international SOF community to learn, connect, and honor its members – it is expected to draw more than 15,000 attendees.
Key highlights of SOF Week 2024 include:
An expanded exhibition hall, organized by USSOCOM Program Executive Office (PEO) areas
Extensive programming, to include senior leader keynote speakers, professional development seminars, industry engagements, networking opportunities, and non-profit interests.
Live Capabilities Demonstration
USSOCOM Annual Awards Ceremony and Dinner
“SOF Week Campus” in downtown Tampa, around the Tampa Convention Center
Invitations for official representatives sent to approximately 100 U.S. partner nations We are extremely excited to convene the community at SOF Week 2024. This convention for U.S. and International SOF will include a diverse slate of programs, to include professional development sessions, interactive discussions about the future of SOF, and an up-close view of some of the best tech available to our warfighters,” said Stuart Bradin, President and CEO, GSOF. “We look forward to working with USSOCOM to make SOF Week 2024 an impactful event.”
At SOF Week, industry partners and exhibitors will hear from USSOCOM’s Acquisition Executive on command priorities and requirements, as well as identify emergent technologies and capabilities critical to SOF.
“SOCOM is bringing the globally distributed SOF community to Tampa for industry collaboration, professional development and networking,” said SOCOM Acquisition Executive Melissa Johnson. “The industry conference has attracted more than 600
exhibitors this year, proving the indispensable role that our industry partners play in the SOF network.”
The exhibition hall is organized by USSOCOM Program Executive Office (PEO) and Directorate areas of focus (Information Systems, Science and Technology, SOF Digital Applications, Special Air Warfare, Maritime, SOF Warrior, Services and SOF Support Activity) to facilitate meaningful interactions.
Other opportunities such as one-to-one meetings, small group roundtables, question-and-answer sessions, and networking opportunities are integral to the SOF Week agenda, providing ample opportunity for industry to government conversations.
“The value proposition of the week is to provide industry and government with meaningful opportunities to share ideas, provide updates, and discuss solutions to hard problems within the international SOF community,” said Johnson.
Registration is now open and required for all SOF Week participants. For more information, visit https://www.sofweek.org/attend/registration.
08 Apr 24. FOSAA, new amphibious aviation conference, makes a splash. The organisers, Quaynote Communications and Arena Group, of the debut Future Opportunities for Seaplanes and Amphibious Aviation (FOSAA) are marking its first successful event with proverbial water cannons following the meeting of industry stakeholders in Venice on 20 March. The inaugural event confirmed the pent-up demand for an industry conference devoted to the resurging seaplane and amphibious aviation sector, as it attracted commercial stakeholders from across the industry and the world. The one-day event welcomed delegates from Asia, Europe and the USA, bringing together the burgeoning industry under one roof in a dedicated environment. Clear themes emerged through the moderated panels, presentations and discussions as sector entrepreneurs and experts demonstrated a determination to bring amphibious aviation out of the aerospace shadows and into the mainstream sector. With ten prospective OEMs in the room, the potential delivered by new propulsion technology, composite materials, innovative aerospace design and the sustainable imperative was palpable, with a general agreement that moving forward together through collaboration would generate continuity and longevity. A call for standardization in terms of global operations, passenger expectations, regulations and infrastructure requirements was also debated throughout the meeting. Education of industry regulators, investors, and mainstream aerospace colleagues was deemed essential to change the mindset that understands the sector to be a niche industry. Representatives from aerial firefighting, commuter, experiential and tourist operations, medevac, and regional and business aviation were in attendance, confirming some of the multiple applications the sector currently serves. The event also highlighted the opportunities presented by new and emerging markets that would optimize the benefits of sustainable amphibious airframes, welcome the associated economic stimulation and create as-yet-untapped prospects.
“We learned that amphibious aviation offers a perfect combination of flexibility, access, and secure operations that serve first and last-mile sectors, regional needs, and communities otherwise disconnected by large tracts of water,” says Lorna Titley, Director Quaynote Communications, the conference organizer. “With more than 70% of the planet covered in water and ms of miles of coastline and river attracting communities, cities and metropolises, there is no doubt that as we look to the future, this group of professionals will add a vital new offering to the global air transport network. This event gave industry stakeholders the first opportunity they have ever had to come together and discuss what’s needed to progress and fulfil the potential. The feedback we’ve had has been incredibly positive.”
The first event was oversubscribed, with delegates demonstrating their enthusiasm and engagement through consistent panel questions, lively networking and interest in the next outing of FOSAA, as the event has been officially named. The seeds for an industry association were sewn, orders were announced, and a new annual aviation conference is set to join the industry calendar with organizers already discussing next year’s location. “We are delighted with the response; it is even better than we could have hoped, and we have already had sponsorship requests, speaking and presentation opportunities for 2025. We’re pleased to be giving the sector a platform that is very much needed,” concludes Titley.
This year’s sponsors included connectivity provider Satcom Direct, Shinmaywa Industries of Japan, next-generation OEMs JEKTA and Elfly, industrial designer MBVision, and Aeropuerto Nicelli. To learn more about this year’s event or FOSAA 2025, contact Lorna Titley at or Jane Stanbury at jane@arenagroupassociates to become a sponsor, speaker, or delegate.
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DSEI 2025 – POWERING PROGRESS, DEFINING YOUR FUTURE
DSEI connects governments, national armed forces, industry thought leaders and the entire defence & security supply chain on a global scale. With a range of valuable opportunities for networking, a platform for business, access to relevant content & live-action demonstrations, the DSEI community can strengthen relationships, share knowledge and engage in the latest capabilities across the exhibition’s Aerospace, Land, Naval, Security & Joint Zones.
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