Thales and CEA forge game-changing AI partnership to transform defence and intelligence

Thales, a leader in AI for mission-critical systems, has partnered with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) to advance the development of trusted generative artificial intelligence (AI). This collaboration is set to enhance AI applications in intelligence, command operations, and defence, leveraging the expertise of both organizations to deliver cutting-edge solutions for critical missions.

The new partnership will focus on a range of generative AI use cases, particularly in the areas of intelligence and command applications. Thales’s cortAIx Lab, recognized as Europe’s most advanced integrated AI laboratory, will collaborate with CEA’s renowned research teams. The project aims to develop sophisticated generative AI technologies that can improve decision-making processes and operational efficiency for armed forces and critical infrastructure operators.

The partnership will harness the strengths of both organizations: Thales’s deep knowledge in defence and security sectors, and CEA’s expertise in AI safety, security, and multimodal generative AI. The goal is to create AI solutions that are not only effective but also trustworthy and sovereign, meeting the specific needs of government and military clients.

Generative AI will be instrumental in enhancing various aspects of military operations. One key application is the acceleration of OODA loops (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act), crucial for rapid and effective decision-making. The AI will support the entire decision chain—from data gathering and processing to decision support and action implementation.

In intelligence gathering, generative AI will enable the simultaneous extraction and analysis of data from multiple sources, including web, social media, and sensors. This capability will streamline the creation of actionable intelligence reports and improve situational awareness.

Furthermore, the partnership will address interoperability within multinational coalitions. Trusted generative AI will facilitate communication between different nations involved in joint operations by translating intents into actions and converting technical terms into various languages, thus simplifying interactions between diverse operators and systems.

Thales is recognized as a frontrunner in trusted AI, especially for mission-critical systems. The company was Europe’s top patent applicant in AI for 2023 and employs over 600 AI experts. Thales’s cortAIx Lab, which encompasses research, decision support systems, and advanced sensors, integrates AI into more than 100 of its products and services. This extensive network of partnerships and expertise ensures that Thales’s AI solutions are at the forefront of technological innovation in defence, aviation, space, and cybersecurity.

CEA stands out for its comprehensive capabilities across the AI value chain. Its expertise spans algorithms, software tools, computing architectures, and microelectronics. The CEA-List Institute, focusing on smart digital systems, specializes in developing high-performance, trusted, and sovereign AI models. The collaboration with Thales will allow the CEA to apply its advanced knowledge in creating large language models (LLMs) and vision language models (VLMs) tailored to specific sectors and use cases.

The partnership between Thales and CEA, set to last three years with renewable options, aims to accelerate the integration of generative AI into solutions for critical missions. Thales will provide its expertise in defence and security, while CEA will contribute its advanced generative AI research. Together, they will develop AI solutions that are not only innovative but also secure and reliable, addressing the complex needs of their clients in high-stakes environments.