Cleard Life Vetting Agency and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra today announced a strategic research partnership aimed at revolutionising the personnel vetting processes through the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The project is supported by funding from Defence Trailblazer’s Accelerating Sovereign Industrial Capabilities (ASIC) program, and represents a significant step forward in strengthening Australia’s defence and critical infrastructure sectors.
This collaborative initiative will focus on developing advanced AI-driven tools to conduct 1:1 security interviews at scale. The core objective is to enhance the trustworthiness of workforces and proactively mitigate insider threats by leveraging cutting-edge affective computing technology. Cleard Life Vetting Agency has already developed a working prototype for AI-assisted vetting. This project will move that prototype to a state-of-the-art solution.
The project will be led by Professor Roland Goecke, Professor of Affective Computing at UNSW Canberra, and Mr. Edward Barker, Director of Cleard Life Vetting Agency. Professor Braden McGrath from the Capability Systems Centre at UNSW Canberra will also play a key role in the initiative, which aims to deliver a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that demonstrates the AI-driven vetting process within one year.
“This partnership signifies a crucial advancement in safeguarding our nation’s critical assets,” said Professor Goecke. “By integrating sophisticated human-centred AI algorithms, we can create more efficient, effective, and scalable vetting procedures, ultimately building a more secure and resilient Australia.”
Mr Barker added, “We are excited to collaborate with UNSW Canberra on this groundbreaking project. Building on our existing AI-assisted 1:1 Vetting Officer prototype, this research will allow us to push the boundaries of what’s possible and set a new global standard in personnel security, ensuring the ongoing integrity of our defence industry workforce.”
The project is expected to have far-reaching impacts, including the acceleration of research into defence products, the establishment of new collaborative partnerships, and the strengthening of Australia’s sovereign industrial priorities. It aligns with the critical need for a secure, vetted, and competent defence industry workforce to deliver on all Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIPs).
For more information, visit www.cleard.life.
Main image from left to right: Professor Braden McGrath (UNSW Canberra), Edward Barker (Cleard Life Vetting Agency) and Professor Roland Goecke (UNSW Canberra).
