The intelligence community requires not just artificial intelligence, but reliable 5G connectivity to maintain its strategic advantage against adversaries, according to Jill Singer, vice president of national security for AT&T and an eight-time Wash100 Award winner.

In an article posted on the AT&T website, Singer said AI and 5G implementation within the IC is no longer optional but mission essential.

Singer will take the stage alongside intelligence community leaders at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Intel Summit on Oct. 2. She will serve as moderator in a panel about the role of artificial intelligence in supporting the IC mission. AT&T is also a platinum sponsor of the highly anticipated government contracting event. Secure your tickets today.

Why 5G is Crucial in AI Implementation

AI is capable of ingesting and processing complex data sets from various sources, including satellite imagery and signals intelligence, and then turning information into actionable insights. The technology also powers autonomous systems and unmanned platforms operating in high-risk environments, allowing personnel to carry out missions from a safe distance.

Singer explained that, to reap the benefits of AI, the IC needs an infrastructure that delivers the speed, capacity and reliability that the technology needs for real-time data exchange. She pointed out that 5G networks offer ultra-low latency connectivity, higher bandwidth and network slicing capabilities that would facilitate the seamless flow of data between AI-enhanced sensors, devices and platforms.

The executive also shared that 5G connects assets on land, sea, air or space and supports computing on the tactical edge.

Why AT&T

In the article, Singer highlighted AT&T’s 5G offering to support the employment of AI for IC missions.

She shared that the company’s communications network is equipped with encryption, zero-trust architectures and multi-factor authentication to protect sensitive data. The company also uses AI at its 24/7 Security Operations Centers to monitor network activity and identify and respond to threats, the executive added.

Moreover, Singer noted AT&T’s decades of experience supporting missions.

“Our professionals are leaders in secure networks, AI and 5G innovation,” she said. “Through close relationships with government agencies, technology providers, and research institutions, we co-develop and implement solutions tailored to the IC’s unique needs.”

WASHINGTON — BlackSky secured a second contract from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) under the Luno A program, the company announced Sept. 16. 

The award, confirmed by NGA to be worth $24.4 million, brings BlackSky’s total orders under Luno A to nearly $50 million in just three months. The deal underscores the agency’s push to fold commercial satellite data and artificial intelligence into U.S. national security workflows.

The Luno program — split into Luno A and Luno B — is structured as a five-year, $490 million ceiling indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. That means NGA can issue task orders over time as needs evolve. Luno A is specifically focused on commercial analytic services powered by machine learning and computer vision, while Luno B will look at directly integrating commercial AI tools into NGA’s own analytic processes.

BlackSky’s first Luno A award, announced in June, was worth $24.4 million and tasked the company with facility and object monitoring — tracking activity around aircraft, ships, ground equipment, and railcars, and identifying changes at high-priority sites.

Under the second award, according to BlackSky, the company will fuse data from its Gen-3 and Gen-2 imaging satellites with other commercial sources to detect areas of the Earth undergoing human-caused change. That includes shifts in natural resources, climate effects, infrastructure growth, and both economic and military activity.

“BlackSky’s automated detection algorithms will monitor anomalies in real-time and report changes in natural resources, climate, infrastructure development and economic and military activity,” the company said in a statement.

Gen-3, Gen-2, and tip-and-cue

BlackSky highlights its third-generation imaging satellites as a differentiator in the increasingly competitive commercial intelligence sector. Gen-3 delivers 35-centimeter resolution imagery with AI-enabled analytics that the company says are available within 12 hours of launch. For NGA and defense customers, the selling point is “warfighter speed” — meaning information arrives quickly enough to support real-time decision-making.

The company also leans heavily on its tip-and-cue architecture, where its second-generation satellites provide wide-area surveillance and “tip” or flag points of interest to higher-resolution Gen-3 satellites. Gen-3 can then be “cued” to collect sharper imagery of a specific site. In practice, this allows Gen-2 to monitor routine activity at facilities while Gen-3 zeroes in on changes to vehicles, equipment or infrastructure. In a military context, the combination provides both situational awareness and tactical-level intelligence.

Related

Former CTO at Andrew Ng’s AI Fund and IBM Research leader brings global expertise in AI and machine learning to advance Gaia’s mission of transforming global trade compliance

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Gaia Dynamics, the leading AI-driven trade compliance platform, today announced Carlos Alzate has joined as the company’s first Chief Technology Officer. Carlos brings decades of experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning research, and leadership to Gaia Dynamics as the company experiences accelerated growth from customers requesting trade and compliance support.

“The trade and compliance industry is under more pressure than ever, with global tariffs and regulations creating new challenges for businesses worldwide,” said Carlos Alzate, Chief Technology Officer of Gaia Dynamics. “Gaia’s AI-powered platform is uniquely positioned to help companies navigate this environment with speed and confidence. I’m excited to bring my experience in building advanced AI systems to support Gaia’s mission and help take the company to the next level as the leading solution in this critical industry.”

Most recently, Carlos served as CTO at AI Fund, where he guided AI technology strategy and product innovation. Earlier in his career, he led a research group at IBM Research in Ireland, where he directed teams working on cutting-edge projects, including Project Debater, IBM’s next Grand Challenge following Watson.

Carlos has a Ph.D and master’s degrees in AI from KU Leuven in Belgium, as well as a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia.

“Carlos brings an extraordinary depth of knowledge in artificial intelligence, from pioneering research to leading global teams,” said Emil Stefanutti, CEO of Gaia Dynamics. “Modern AI represents the only non-political solution to manage the massively increasing volumes, scrutiny, and sheer complexity of global trade. Carlos’ expertise will be instrumental in scaling Gaia Dynamics to deliver the next generation of our platform to importers and exporters of any product, any industry, anywhere in the world.”

At Gaia Dynamics, Carlos will lead the company’s technology vision, overseeing the continued development of its AI-powered trade compliance platform and guiding innovation to help businesses navigate the complexities of global trade.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.gaiadynamics.ai/.

About Gaia Dynamics

Gaia Dynamics is an AI-driven trade technology platform founded in 2025 in partnership with Andrew Ng’s AI Fund. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, the company leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence to simplify complex processes in tariff classification, regulatory compliance and supply chain optimization. Gaia Dynamics equips customs brokers, consultants and brands with the tools they need to navigate global trade with ease. To learn more, please visit: https://www.gaiadynamics.ai/.