September 2025
Machine learning is key to advancing AI. With assistance from algorithms and statistical models, machines rapidly analyze data and identify patterns to make decisions on their own. The more knowledge they absorb, the more proficient they get.
At MITRE, we’re innovating alongside industry and government, developing artificial intelligence for mission autonomy to support operations in the nation’s most critical domains.
Filling the void: As trusted, impartial collaborators, we also bring marketplace competitors together to share information for the greater good (read about MITRE ATLAS™—below).
Bottom line: Our work improves workflows, helps with planning, modernizes high-volume processes, and boosts efficiency.
But first, assurance: Our AI Discovery and Assurance Lab ensures that AI-enabled systems perform as needed, with acceptable levels of risk.
9-minute read time
OUR CULTURE IN ACTION
Internship Sets AI Career in Motion
Internships provide a great opportunity for young people to explore what the world has to offer. But for Heidys Cabrera, a MITRE internship completely set her career in motion. Now a full-time cybersecurity engineer, she’s part of a team that uses algorithms and reinforcement learning to identify the best courses of action for national defense missions.
Next generation AI talent: Cabrera was instrumental in designing our new AI Futures program. Working with our top AI experts, she helped introduce interns to AI work being done at MITRE to advance federal priorities.
AI IMPACT
Employing LLMs for Faster, Less Costly IT Modernization
Problem: Our nation’s most essential functions—tax processing, air traffic control, veterans’ benefits, and defense operations—rely on outdated IT systems.
Bottom line: Maintenance is challenging and expensive due to the complexity of aging systems. Plus, legacy technology leaves federal systems more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
How steep? Each year, 80% of the federal government’s $100 billion IT and cyber budget is spent on upkeep and operations.
Solution: MITRE developed a strategic IT modernization (ITMOD) process blending AI, human expertise, and software development. Designed for ultimate efficiency, ITMOD automates protocols where possible and reduces the amount of human labor currently required to keep systems running.
Put me in, coach: The end-to-end modernization and roundtrip code conversion is available for license through MITRE’s tech transfer office.
QUOTABLE
Our commitment to the public interest helps us bring dynamic leaders into the fold. Cue the return of Mikel Rodriguez, Ph.D., an internationally recognized AI expert with more than two decades of experience bringing transformative, AI-enabled solutions to complex challenges in both the private and public sectors (including an earlier stint at MITRE). Rodriguez rejoins us after leading Google teams on DeepMind and Project Gemini initiatives.
ALPHABET SOUP
Adversarial Threat Landscape for Artificial-Intelligence Systems
Every new and exciting AI capability is accompanied by threats of bad actors looking for ways to exploit it. To keep pace with the rapidly evolving threat landscape, MITRE developed ATLAS™—a living knowledge base that tracks how these adversary buzzkills attack AI systems and how security practitioners can defend against their tactics.
The more you know: Modeled after MITRE ATT&CK®, ATLAS is a globally accessible repository providing a common language and critical reference for security analysis, AI development and implementation, threat assessments, and offensive security operations.
PIN DROP
Multi-Dimensional AI Capabilities Meet Future Missions
The benefit of agentic AI systems is that they can make their own decisions. Without thorough training, that can also be the problem. Last month, at NVIDIA’s Federal Robotics and Autonomy Conference in California, a group from MITRE spoke about advancing the potential while mitigating the problem. Our AI experts showcased how three of MITRE’s cutting-edge AI applications can drive mission autonomy in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
Looking ahead: MITRE is leading three sessions at NVIDIA’s GTC conference on Oct. 27 – 29 in Washington, D.C., which brings together innovators and industry leaders to explore the latest developments in AI. Come see us!