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The nation’s leading hub for the development of applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) & data science based solutions, innovations, research & talent in support of national security.

The Florida Institute for National Security (FINS) is an interdisciplinary, cross-curricular initiative to galvanize the robust research efforts in Artificial Intelligence (AI) already underway at the University of Florida (UF). As such, FINS is transforming into the nation’s leading hub for applied AI in support of national security, both domestic and abroad. FINS emerges in support of UF’s AI Initiative to make AI the centerpiece of a major, long-term push to synthesizes world-class research infrastructure, cutting-edge research, and a transformational approach to curriculum. FINS extends this mission to the development of deployable applied AI in support of the most challenging and pressing national security issues, such as transportation, economy, infrastructure, supply chain, ecological and climate threats, and economic and other threats from other nations. As such, FINS will serve as a globally renowned strategic asset for research and development of AI’s application and solutions to national security problems.

FINS and UF strive to be nationally recognized as the premier provider of AI talent for the national security and defense communities and innovation leaders for AI-enabled national security. In coordination with UF’s AI Initiative, FINS leads UF in workforce development for the classified community. To do so, FINS stands at the fore of the development of facilities and programs to enable new avenues of funded research and to secure internships and co-ops with defense and national security agencies, other federal agencies, the government contractors who support the government, and for UF’s students, the next generation of the AI workforce. The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI)—a bipartisan commission of 15 technologists, national security professionals, business executives, and academic leaders—recently published a report which identifies the increasing need for a digitally-literate workforce, specifically an AI-literate workforce. FINS, in coordination with UF’s new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP): AI Across the Curriculum, will work to provide UF students the AI skills and experience needed to lead this next-generation workforce in support of the now evident need to improve and increase domestic talent in AI work, particularly AI work tied to national security.

Why AI and National Security?

Modern society has ventured into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), which is characterized by emerging technologies that synthesize the physical, digital, and biological worlds and in which Artificial Intelligence is a key driver that has catalyzed stunning levels of technological development impacting and transforming all disciplines, sectors of society, economies, and industries worldwide. A failure to develop, adopt, and effectively integrate AI technology poses significant risks to our national security.

As per the Final Report published in March 2021 by The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) – a bipartisan commission of 15 technologists, national security professionals, business executives, and academic leaders –

  • “The human talent deficit is the government’s most conspicuous AI deficit and the single greatest inhibitor to buying, building, and fielding AI-enabled technologies for national security purposes.”
  • “The domestic AI talent pipeline is not keeping up with government and industry needs.”
  • “The US government must dramatically invest in AI talent pipelines in order to remain at the forefront of AI now and into the future.”

Why Florida?

FINS is uniquely situated in a state that plays a critical role in all matters of national security as  Florida is home to many key commands and  government and industrial organizations focused on defense and intelligence.

In addition, Florida is often ground zero for national security matters such as illegal drug importation & interdiction, illegal immigration, and ecological concerns such as sea level rise.

Hence, FINS’ proximity to these security and defense stakeholders provides an advantageous opportunity to draw from and contribute to nationwide talent pools, as well as to lead the way in promoting the deployment of new AI and data science technologies in support of national security.

Why FINS?

Just as FINS is situated within a state that plays a role in overseeing crucial national security operations and resources, it is also advantageously based within one of the nation’s leading research institutions, whose current AI-infrastructure already enables it to emerge as a leader in AI/Data Science research, development, and education.

  • Established in 2012, FINS is the first academic institution in the state of Florida focused on national security.
  • UF is the first university to establish a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) with CIA Labs, providing potential  direct connections with UF graduates and the intelligence sector.
  • UF also has extensive research relationships with many government agencies that are involved with national security matters, such as the NOAA, NASA, DoD, Forestry Service, USGS, USDA, and various members of the Intelligence Community (IC).
  • UF is one of only 17 institutions nationwide to carry the triple designation of  land, sea, and space-grant university and is the only institution in Florida to hold that distinction. 
  • UF is home to HiPerGator AI 3.0, which is designed specifically for AI development and is noted for being the most powerful supercomputer for AI research in Florida, Southern US, and the third-fastest university supercomputer in the country. (Forbes, 2021)
  • Given the world-leading caliber of research which UF produces across disciplines through its institutes, programs, and departments, FINS provides the opportunity to develop a cohesive focal point at UF for advancements in the arena of AI and national security matters.
  • UF has 300+ faculty across campus conducting applied AI research in various disciplines.
  • FINS is capable of performing restricted research has experience with providing and has experience with providing innovative and robust solutions to government stakeholders
  • UF’s business incubator, UF Innovate, which is ranked 1st among US public universities in tech-transfer for economic return (Heartland Forward, 2022), will advance transitioning new AI and data science technologies from academic labs into the government and public sectors.
  • FINS’s sponsoring college, the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE) is home to:
  • UF’s significant veteran student population is a potential source of talent capable of performing restricted research.