Spear AI Raises $2.3M to Advance AI Submarine Threat Detection

Spear AI, a Washington-based startup founded by U.S. Navy veterans Michael Hunter and John McGunnigle, has raised $2.3 million in its first outside funding round to enhance the U.S. military's use of artificial intelligence for deciphering submarine acoustic data. Specializing in passive acoustic data gathered by underwater listening devices, Spear AI develops hardware and software tools that label and organize raw sonar recordings, helping AI systems distinguish between harmless ocean sounds and potential threats. The company recently secured a $6 million contract from the U.S. Navy for its data-labeling tool, signaling strong government interest in AI-driven underwater surveillance innovation. The startup plans to use the new funding to double its workforce and expand its services, including commercial applications like monitoring underwater pipelines and cables, and offering consulting services modeled after defense tech firm Palantir. Spear AI's technology aims to address the challenge that traditional AI, trained on labeled text or image data, is not suited for the chaotic and unlabeled nature of underwater acoustic data. This development highlights the increasing role of AI in national security and defense technology modernization.