Enabled Intelligence, a data labeling startup based in Falls Church, Virginia, is set to rapidly expand its workforce following a significant contract win with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Specializing in meticulous data labeling, the company stands out for its commitment to hiring neurodivergent individuals. This decision mainly shapes the firm’s success with complex tasks, notably in training AI systems. Enabled Intelligence’s CEO, Peter Kant, recognizes the untapped potential in employing staff with unique capabilities in detail orientation and pattern recognition.
After securing the contract with the DoD’s National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Enabled Intelligence will support Maven, the military’s AI initiative. This contract represents the most extensive data labeling project attempted by the agency, carrying a potential value of $708 million. Previously, Scale AI, another notable data labeling company, managed parts of the Maven project. Despite losing this specific contract, Scale AI maintains momentum with other governmental collaborations. Their competitive presence emphasizes the consistently evolving landscape of AI data labeling services.
Who Leads Enabled Intelligence?
CEO Peter Kant, who initiated Enabled Intelligence after gaining industry insights at SRI International, has focused on maintaining control over data labeling processes by keeping operations in-house. Relying significantly on neurodivergent staff has been a cornerstone of their operations. Kant stated,
“We build the company from the ground up to support a variety of different work styles, communication styles, environments and the like.”
How Is The Workforce Structured?
Enabled Intelligence has a thoughtful approach to staffing, offering flexible work hours, specialized training, and occupational coaching for employees, particularly those on the autism spectrum. The company has aligned itself with Melwood, a nonprofit organization, to foster a steady recruitment pipeline for neurodivergent individuals, using programs like a boot camp and paid internships focusing on AI data labeling.
The confirmation of the NGA contract allowed the company to proceed with expanding its workforce. Some new hires have come directly from Melwood’s training initiatives. Reflecting on the recruitment drive,
“The best part was reaching out to all the folks who’ve been waiting to see if they had a job and saying, ‘Hey, can you start on Tuesday?'”
said Kant.
Under the new contract, Enabled Intelligence will execute various data labeling tasks associated with defense and intelligence operations. These involve aircraft identification, disaster response data, environmental assessments, and potential storm impacts. For the company, these challenges cover a wide range of tasks, from identifying military equipment to examining environmental upheavals.
The operational demands have led to a significant augmentation of its workforce within a short period, reflecting an urgent need to manage onboarding and training efficiently. Enabled Intelligence’s experience in scaling up rapidly highlights challenges associated with growing personnel numbers effectively and maintaining quality in highly specialized tasks.
Evaluating Enabled Intelligence’s progress reveals a broader framework where data labeling meets distinct industry and government needs. The focus on employing neurodivergent talent sets a vital precedent, aligning unique cognitive capabilities with job requirements crucial in complex tasks like AI training. As competition persists in data labeling services, Enabled Intelligence’s approach generates potential pathways for similar firms targeting high-stakes contracts.
