About the Information Processing Techniques Office
The Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO) creates technological surprise through groundbreaking information science, technology development, and the delivery of fundamentally new information capabilities for national security.
Thrust Areas
AI innovation and Execution
We envision vastly more energy-efficient and assured AI systems to advance asymmetric capabilities at the edge of the network and to provide trustworthy, understandable AI to warfighters where and when they need it. We also seek to mitigate risks of misalignment of machine actions and human interests.
Inherent Security and Privacy
We seek to create a new generation of systems that are inherently secure, and inherently private, together with security and privacy tools that are more effective and more adaptable – both in the moving target and reactive senses – than current solutions. We aim to develop more trustworthy and resilient systems based on the fundamental principles of the cyber networking, computing, and storage environment, and to create an asymmetric advantage in cyberspace.
Resilient Megasystems
We aim to develop machine-derived abstractions and models that expose the governing principles of highly complex and interconnected systems – like supply chains and power grids – to identify hidden systemic risks and emergent properties, and to enable the precise targeting of interventions and the proactive assurance of mission-critical functions.
Resources
Proposers Day (2024)
Leadership
IPTO leadership is responsible for guiding and overseeing the research and development activities within specific technical areas.
Opportunities
Opportunities to engage include R&D programs and efforts, challenge competitions, and technology transition efforts for the Information Processing Techniques Office. | See all DARPA Opportunities | RSS feed for Opportunities
Use these filters to narrow your results by research topic or date. Search by keyword to find your specific IPTO opportunity.
Search our Programs
Use these filters to narrow your results by research topic or status. Search by keyword to find your specific IPTO program.
Ideas Under Incubation
Before an idea becomes a program, it gets mulled, kicked around, and questioned. During this period of contemplation, our program managers talk – a lot – to experts, potential transition partners, and each other. But we often wonder: What information are we missing that would provide much-needed context for program development? Read through our "Ideas under Incubation" and if inspired, share your thoughts.
*See important disclaimers and notes
- AI FORGE: Fostering Research and Growth in Emerging Artificial Intelligence
In partnership with the U.S. National Science Foundation, AI FORGE aims to establish an industry/university/government consortium on AI research focused on solving AI critical challenges for national security. The goal is to accelerate adoption by industry and federal agencies. | Contact Program Manager Matthew Marge
Brightest Minds in Science and Engineering
Our IPTO program managers are visionary leaders whose experience spans industry, government, and academia. They conceive, plan, and oversee the high-risk R&D efforts for which we are best known. | See all DARPA program managers
Search our Program Managers
Use these filters to narrow your results by research topic or date. Search by keyword to find a specific IPTO program manager or their research interests.
Highlights
Energy-aware machine learning
The Mapping Machine Learning to Physics program aims to strike the balance between energy usage and performance. | Learn more
AI Cyber Challenge marks pivotal inflection point for cyber defense
Teams’ AI-driven systems find, patch real-world cyber vulnerabilities; available open source for broad adoption. | Learn more
Cyber First Aid
Imagine a future where your most critical systems – from life-saving medical devices to autonomous defense platforms – can instantly heal themselves from cyberattacks. | Learn more
