Booz Allen and Lockheed Martin are among the contractors selected, alongside a host of smaller startups.

Shield bought Heron Systems, which won the much-hyped AlphaDogfight trials that pitted a fighter pilot against AI in a simulated dogfight.

Shield AI, an artificial intelligence startup focused on military work, has found a tried-and-true way to scale its work with the DOD.

Working with the government is often a sluggish process, but it doesn't have to be, says Brandon Tseng, co-founder and CFO of artificial intelligence company Shield AI.