MBDA looks to grow AI technology validation

MBDA will acquire a stake in Numalis in order to strengthen Artificial Intelligence (AI) cooperation between the two companies.

According to MBDA, Numalis possesses the first IT solution for formally validating AI applications and is working to promote global AI standardisation.

Whilst AI holds a lot of promise, it remains a highly complex concept to validate and integrate into systems where error is not acceptable. As Numalis develops sovereign mission-critical products, MBDA has decided to invest in Numalis to benefit from its expertise and solutions, and undertake joint efforts to implement trustworthy AI for the aerospace, naval and defence sectors.

Éric Béranger, MBDA CEO, said: ‘This investment is part of MBDA’s open innovation policy, aimed at leveraging the best innovative technologies and expertise from the civilian sector. Numalis will give us access to essential building blocks of the future validation – and ultimately certification – processes for the AI-based applications used in our missile systems.’

Progress in the international standardisation programme led by Numalis, and in which MBDA plays an active role, is expected within 2020.