Air Force Grants Smarter Reality Nearly $750,000 for AI-Driven DEI VR Trainer

Records obtained through a FOIA request show the Air Force Research Laboratory granted Smarter Reality LLC a contract (FA864922P1122) for $749,895 to develop a virtual-reality conversation trainer for the Air Force Academy. Named the Conflict Resolution Simulator, the platform merges VR, natural-language processing, voice recognition and artificial intelligence to let cadets practice difficult talks on mentoring, diversity, equity, inclusion and honor.

The project was promoted as a solution to perceived gaps in existing role-playing exercises, with Lt. Gen. Richard Clark supporting its use for character and leadership development. An alpha version was supplied to the Academy in February 2023 using Oculus headsets, featuring virtual cadet avatars in gym and office settings. The contract outlined milestones for prototype delivery, user training, and testing with up to 40 cadets, but public records do not confirm whether the final prototype was completed or fully funded. USAspending.gov lists the award but shows no outlays, reflecting a known reporting gap in Defense Department data.