American tech giant IBM has rolled out a new artificial intelligence (AI) system built specifically for defense and national security work.
The “IBM Defense Model,” developed with defense intelligence provider Janes, is designed to bring trustworthy AI into secure environments where quick, accurate insights can influence real-world outcomes.
Unlike general-purpose AI tools, this platform is trained to understand military terminology, operational tactics, and mission-level strategies. It can run in air-gapped or classified networks, keeping sensitive data isolated from the internet.
The system is also powered by IBM’s Granite foundation models, reportedly developed in line with international AI safety standards, and operated through the company’s enterprise-level AI studio, watsonx.ai.
“Defense organizations need AI they can trust — solutions that deliver accurate insights without compromising security or ethics,” said Vanessa Hunt, IBM’s general manager for US federal technology.
“The IBM Defense Model helps speed up mission planning and boosts operational readiness.”
AI That Speaks Military
Trained on Janes’ defense data and military doctrine, the model understands how militaries operate and communicate.
Rather than memorizing outdated information, it analyzes and interprets verified, up-to-date data, reducing the false or off-target responses common in many large language models.
Janes’ innovation lead Ben Conklin emphasized in an interview with DefenseScoop that the data behind the AI is carefully verified and constantly updated.
“The internet has a lot of information about the military, and most of it’s wrong,” he stated. “If you come to this precise model, you’ll get the right answer.”
Secure and Built to Plug In
The system can be integrated into existing defense networks through an application programming interface, making it compatible with programs like CJADC2 and Project Maven — both focused on accelerating data sharing and battlefield decision-making through AI.
The AI tool will be offered in subscription, customized to fit each customer’s needs, with early deployments expected in the coming months.
“Our collaboration with IBM brings together Janes trusted defense intelligence and IBM’s advanced AI capabilities,” said Blake Bartlett, CEO of Janes.
“This model helps to ensure defense organizations can access timely, relevant insights in secured environments, helping them make informed decisions with confidence.”
