Competence Centre Artificial Intelligence and Simulation AISI
The Competence Centre Artificial Intelligence and Simulation (AISI) of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) is the competent point of contact of the Swiss Armed Forces and other institutions of national security. Our goal is the development and transfer of innovative solutions in the area of artificial intelligence and simulation, focusing on the security technologies of the DDPS.
About us
As part of the competence sector Science and Technology (S+T), the AISI focuses on innovation and the transfer of new technologies to the military and security-relevant environment.
The Centre is currently processing three priority areas of focus:
Effective drone defence
In cooperation with the SDRC and the Taskforce Drones, the AISI is developing AI and simulation systems to enable effective drone defence within the Swiss Armed Forces. The systems detect threats, prioritise and optimise how to combat these threats and at the same time support training of the task forces.
Robust, streamlined decision-making in the field
As part of the implementation of the AI policy paper of the Swiss Armed Forces, the AISI is developing AI algorithms together with industry partners to automate the sensor intelligence collection and tactical reconnaissance network (SNFW). The goal here is to streamline management decisions and operational planning and to make them more robust.
Holistic simulation environment
Together with the Competence Centre Simulation of the Armed Forces, the AISI is testing new technologies and products for the future simulation environment of the Armed Forces. Using the new simulation environment, the Armed Forces will in future be able to simulate missions across all domains of operations and units for the development of the Armed Forces, for operational support and for education and training.
Services
The AISI…
- … is the central contact point within the DDPS for security-relevant projects in the area of artificial intelligence and simulation.
- … develops demonstrators for early assessment of the technical feasibility and identification of benefits for end users.
- … advises and supports the Armed Forces as well as institutions of national security with specific expertise.
- … identifies, observes and assesses new developments and technological trends through technology and market monitoring.
- … is building a partner network together with industry and higher education institutions and is maintaining it to expand specialist skills.
- … supports the Security-relevant Technology and Industry Base (STIB) through networking, knowledge transfer and providing testing infrastructures.
Projects
Holistic simulation environment
Goal: A location-independent simulation environment across all domains of operation for the Swiss Armed Forces
Today’s simulation landscape in the Swiss Armed Forces consists of a variety of highly-specific systems. These proprietary applications can neither be networked nor can they enable cost- and time-saving development synergies to be used. On behalf of Training and Education Command, the AISI is examining novel simulation applications which will enable increased networking and a high degree of flexibility. This will enable the simulation of diverse, cross-operational domain scenarios, which can be executed via a network independent of location. The AISI is testing how suitable these novel simulation environments are with regard to the development of the Armed Forces (CD&E), operational support as well as for education and training.
Augmented reality for effective tactical training
Goal: Testing innovative solutions for the education and training of the forces using Augmented or Mixed Reality (AR/MR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies
New training solutions based on AR/MR and VR offer an immersive, realistic, secure and cost-effective simulation environment for high-risk scenarios. Soldiers practice complex missions and cooperations in virtual environments with other members of the Armed Forces and improve their tactical capabilities. As part of this project, AISI is examining the use of AR/MR/VR for training in house-to-house fighting, drone defence and other areas.
Synthetic population Switzerland
Goal: Simulation of the civil population for disaster control and counter-terrorism
As part of this research project, the AISI is developing a demographic model of Switzerland to support decisions in disaster control and counter-terrorism.
This synthetic population represents the Swiss community according to its composition – gender, age, place of residence, etc. – without identifying specific individuals. Statistically speaking, no differences can be identified between the real data and this synthetic data. The advantage of this method is the cost-effective and precise simulation of human behaviour in a large group of people.
ISSYS simulator
Goal: An effective education and training with the self-protection system for helicopters ISSYS
In cooperation with the Swiss Air Force, the AISI is developing a tablet-based simulator for education and training with the ISSYS self-protection system for helicopters. Helicopter pilots undergo comprehensive training which lasts several years. Here, they learn how to use the ISSYS self-protection system, which warns the crew of enemy threats, thus enabling a timely response. As the availability of the ISSYS systems is limited, the AISI is examining, using a new simulation method, how training can be carried out more efficiently and independently from the beginning with the correct displays and audio clips, in order to compensate for the availability of the resources.
More information at: Increased efficiency of training: ISSYS app for helicopter crews
AI-supported simulation of drone swarms
Goal: Realistic simulation of autonomous drone swarms for training and operational support
As part of this project, the AISI is developing an intelligent simulation model of drone swarms. This model aims to enable precise simulations of autonomous, large and self-coordinating drone swarms for the effective planning and training of drone defence
Image evaluation using artificial intelligence
Goal: Automated evaluation of satellite images using artificial intelligence (AI)
Image data is of crucial importance for improving the operational picture in military operations and mission planning. In cooperation with Swiss industry, the AISI is developing the latest AI algorithms for automated image evaluation and geolocation of aircraft, vehicles, ships, etc. in images and videos.
