BigBear.ai Holdings (BBAI) stock soared 16.81% in pre-market trading on Wednesday, driven by a significant contract win from the Department of Defense's Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO).

The McLean, Virginia-based AI firm has been awarded a contract to advance its Virtual Anticipation Network (VANE) prototype, an AI-powered system designed to analyze media data from potential foreign adversaries. This initiative will support the CDAO and the Office of the Secretary of Defense by leveraging BigBear.ai's custom AI models to better assess news media originating in countries that are potential adversaries, enabling faster and more informed assessments of media data vital to national security.

The contract highlights the importance of leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies to address complicated geopolitical challenges and strengthen national defense capabilities. By advancing VANE within CDAO, BigBear.ai aims to provide crucial intelligence insights to decision-makers and warfighters, ultimately enhancing the safety and security of the nation.