Hadean demonstrates AI-enabled synthetic training with human interactions

Sam Cranny-Evans

The UK’s Hadean has demonstrated an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled capability that utilises large language models (LLM) to populate a synthetic training environment with human terrain that mimics human interactions, in a trial conducted for the British Army, according to a 1st October company press release.

Hadean leveraged multimodal LLMs to create a more immersive and realistic training environment by integrating realistic, consistent, and representative simulations of audiences, actors, adversaries, and enemies (A3E). The capability was designed to simulate the complex interactions between soldiers and civilians and enhance the realism of live and simulated training. A multi-modal LLM is a type of AI that can process and understand information from multiple sources of data including text, audio, and images. Traditional LLMs primarily work with text, which can limit their ability to create content in comparison to a multi-modal LLM.

Craig Beddis, CEO of Hadean, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “This achievement marks a significant step forward for Hadean as we push the boundaries of defence training and provide a realism and effectiveness not currently available to our service personnel.” Hadean also used an LLM to simulate civilian social media reactions that were influenced by soldiers’ actions during training. For example, aggression from training participants led to negative social media content, which in turn added complexity to the real-world training. To assess trainee performance, Hadean’s platform analysed interactions with civilians and radio communications, generating detailed After-Action Reports for each participant. This data could be used to identify areas for improvement and provide insights into training effectiveness.

The demonstration, conducted at the British Army’s BattleLab, marks a milestone in the use of AI to bridge the physical and virtual worlds for military training. It was funded by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) under a project known as “Populating the World of Training.” It also proved that Hadean’s capability has reached Technology Readiness Level 6, which means it has been tested under conditions that are similar to those it would eventually be used in.

Hadean has previously delivered the Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP) Pathfinder contract, which provided a cloud-native simulation in an austere environment in Kenya. Cloud-native applications are different to cloud-based applications, they typically are built to be run using cloud computing and take advantage of the computing scale that they make available. These applications also lend themselves to continuous iteration and development, which means that new AI models or software could be uploaded on a weekly basis (if necessary) to upgrade the training and simulation environment.

For the CTTP, Hadean’s solution integrated different training systems, including the Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES), and the Team Awareness Kit (TAK). It exploited both recorded and live data and delivered a visualisation in VBS4, a common simulation platform that is designed to integrate capabilities from other technology partners and simulate realistic terrain, AI-controlled military entities, and generate customisable scenarios.

The announcement is further evidence that the UK is becoming home to many tech companies that specialise in defence. This ecosystem is bringing a diverse array of capabilities to the fore that will support the country’s armed forces as they work to understand the benefits that AI can bring. However, it is important for the government to continue supporting these companies, as it has supported Hadean with the Populating the World of Training project, as this not only ensures that they remain financially viable but helps fund the development of new technologies and capabilities.

Photo © DASA courtesy Hadean

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