Artificial intelligence will be at the core of a new technological alliance in Europe, as German defense technology firm Helsing and French OpenAI competitor Mistral announced a partnership to develop future AI weapons systems “for the defense of Europe.” With previous experience developing AI systems for Ukraine in their struggle against the Russian invasion, the new venture will focus on AI visual perception and understanding, as well as robotic integration.
Alongside major developments in consumer-driven AI products, like ChatGPT, artificial intelligence has become a key focus for future weapons technology development, all over the world. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a major component in that race toward more autonomous weaponry, with Ukraine often fielding some of the latest AI-powered drones to counter Russia’s very capable electronic warfare and jamming systems.
One of the companies with experience in that space is Helsing, which has deployed some of its AI software in the Ukraine conflict previously, as well as developing battlefield simulations and fighter jet software, as per NextWeb. It will be collaborating with Mistral to develop new visual-language-action (VLA) models for use in defense platform development, enhancing their understanding of the local environment and communication with operators, as well as improving decision-making.
Helsing will also work with Loft Orbital to deploy AI-powered threat-detection satellites.
Helsing will also work with Loft Orbital to deploy AI-powered threat-detection satellites. Credit: Helsing
This partnership comes amid rising defense spending in Europe due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and some of the new US administration’s statements regarding NATO. A major component of that investment is heading to AI systems like those Mistral and Helsing will be working on.
“Europe needs to assert its strength as a geopolitical actor, and AI leadership is the key to that strength and Europe’s future security and prosperity,” said Gundbert Scherf, co-founder of Helsing.
These two startups are some of the largest and swiftly-growing AI companies in Europe, each valued at over 5 billion euros ($5.17 billion). Their announcement was made at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, hosted at the Grand Palais in Paris, France. Although Mistral is also working on consumer technology, and recently launched its own public “Le Chat” chatbot, Helsing is much more state and military-focused.
Its lofty goals are stated plain and clear on its website: “Helsing is a new type of defense company. We provide precision mass and autonomous capabilities to democracies so that they can deter and protect.”
Mistral wasn’t the only company it announced a partnership with this week. Helsing will also work with Loft Orbital to Deploy Europe’s first AI-powered satellite constellation for enhanced situational awareness and faster response times to new threats.
