CrowdAI Is Now the Heart of Saab’s AI Initiative
Since acquiring CrowdAI last year, Saab has moved the company from Mountain View to San Diego. The startup now serves as the core of Saab's new AI initiative, Skapa.
In September, 2023, Swedish defense group Saab acquired CrowdAI, an AI startup with about around 30 employees previously based in downtown Mountain View. Instead of keeping the company in Silicon Valley, Saab moved operations to its San Diego facility.
“CrowdAI has become the core of our new initiative, Skapa, and continues to deliver its cutting-edge no-code computer vision platform to end users across the U.S. Department of Defense,” says Petter Larsson, communications director at Saab.
Saab’s Skapa division aims to expand AI use in defense, focusing on naval autonomy and responsible AI development. This is aligned with the U.S. defense sector's growing need for advanced tech solutions.
“In addition to the former CrowdAI team, we’ve expanded the Skapa team and are accelerating new capabilities in naval autonomy, responsible AI, and various AI/ML applications to meet key operational needs,” says Larsson.
CrowdAI CEO and co-founder Devaki Raj is now chief digital and AI officer in strategy at Saab in San Diego, while co-founders Nic Borensztein and Pablo Garcia have moved on, now working for Nvidia and Indeed in Seattle, respectively.
Founded in 2016, CrowdAI’s no-code AI platform enables non-technical users to to create AI models to analyze visual data, attracting clients like the U.S. Department of Defense, which sought accessible AI solutions for disaster response and surveillance.
Saab, founded in 1937 in Sweden, is a major defense and security company known for the Gripen fighter jet, radar systems, and submarines. Originally an aircraft manufacturer, it now operates in over 100 countries and focuses on innovation and sustainable security solutions.
About the defense tech market
The defense tech market is drawing much interest right now, fueled by advances in AI, autonomy, and cybersecurity, as well as rising global conflicts—and it’s attracting venture capital in Silicon Valley. Governments are investing in technologies for improved decision-making and threat detection, with companies like CrowdAI leading in real-time data solutions. Key trends include autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and ethical AI, as defense giants partner with tech startups to meet rising demands.