Automating Scientific Knowledge Extraction and Modeling (ASKEM)

Background
The ASKEM Program aims to develop AI approaches and tools for agile creation, sustainment, and enhancement of complex models and simulators to support expert knowledge- and data-informed decision making in diverse missions and scientific domains. The program will be divided into two phases of 21 months each, with Phase 1 focusing on improving the accuracy, timeliness, and maintainability of models. Phase 2 will add increased attention to generalizability and scalability. The program will employ a collaborative and iterative approach to development and integration, with two-week hackathons/integration events held throughout the program.

Work Details
The ASKEM Program will develop and demonstrate technologies in four technical areas (TAs):
- TA1: Machine-assisted knowledge discovery and curation
- TA2: Machine-assisted modeling
- TA3: Machine-assisted simulators
- TA4: Workbench for HMI and Integration.
The program will focus on developing modeling automation tools that extract model components from documents and code while abstracting away from implementation details like math framework, language, and platform. DARPA seeks innovative proposals in TAs 1-3 and plans to make a single TA4 award. The program will use viral pandemics and space weather as use cases throughout the program to exercise and evaluate the technologies being developed.

Period of Performance
The ASKEM Program is planned as a 42-month program with two 21-month phases. Phase 1 will begin with performers addressing core capabilities, starting with the epidemiology use case and adding the space weather use case after the initial component evaluation at six months. Phase 2 will push the boundaries of domain generality by introducing additional modeling regimes to the use cases such as magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling; it will also require more complex models to ensure the approaches are performant beyond the proof of principle level.

Place of Performance
The locations of events will alternate between Washington, D.C., and San Diego, CA. Additionally, DARPA anticipates making visits to performer sites at least once per year.