The Department of Defense, specifically the Army, is offering an opportunity for small businesses to submit proposals under the SBIR program focused on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML). This open topic allows for both Phase I submissions, with funding up to $250,000 for a 6-month period, and Direct to Phase II submissions, with funding up to $2,000,000 for a 24-month period, targeting innovations in six specific AI sub-fields including synthetic data generation and collaborative AI technologies. The initiative aims to integrate valuable small business innovations into Army operations, enhancing the relevance of the SBIR program for firms that typically do not compete for such awards. Interested parties should note that the application deadline is September 17, 2024, and further details can be found at the provided source link: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/.