We’re proud to share that Aptima Founder, Daniel Serfaty, was recently featured in Authority Magazine’s “Meet the Disruptors” series, highlighting leaders who are redefining their industries through innovation and impact. In the interview, Daniel reflects on the principles that have shaped Aptima’s approach from the beginning, from engineering systems around human strengths (not limitations) to advancing the future of human-AI teaming. His insights reinforce a core belief at Aptima: meaningful disruption isn’t about replacing people, but about designing systems where humans and technology perform better together. From embracing constructive disagreement to focusing on problems that truly matter, Daniel outlines five key ideas for driving lasting change in complex, high-stakes environments. As we continue advancing human performance in mission-critical settings, we’re inspired by leadership that challenges assumptions and builds what’s next. Read the full feature here: https://lnkd.in/gadRJiKD #FutureOfWork #DefenseTech #HumanPerformance #AptimaInc
Aptima
Defense and Space Manufacturing
Woburn, Massachusetts 6,534 followers
Optimizing Human Performance Since 1995
About us
Aptima is engineering the future of national security by fusing human potential with advanced technology. For over 30 years, we’ve delivered AI-enabled systems that enhance readiness, accelerate decision-making, and strengthen cognitive and operational dominance across defense and national security. Trusted by the DoW, DARPA, and NASA, Aptima delivers proven innovation that advances human performance and protects our nation’s future.
- Website
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http://www.aptima.com
External link for Aptima
- Industry
- Defense and Space Manufacturing
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Woburn, Massachusetts
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 1995
- Specialties
- Training, Warfighting Team Optimization, User Interface Design and Usability, Performance Measurement, Systems Analysis, Modeling and Simulation, Advanced Analytics, Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Intelligent Cognitive Assistants, Team Performance, and Human-Machine Teaming
Locations
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Primary
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8 Cabot Rd
Suite 4000
Woburn, Massachusetts 01801, US
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2555 University Blvd
Suite 300
Fairborn, Ohio 45324, US
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12249 Science Drive, Suite 110
Orlando, FL 32826, US
Employees at Aptima
Updates
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We’re proud to see this perspective shared by our Chief of AI, Svitlana Volkova, PhD at #PhoenixChallenge2026. The future of information operations isn’t reactive—it’s predictive, testable, and grounded in simulation. At Aptima, we’re building the infrastructure to move from observation to action: human digital twins, fine-grained cognitive assessment, and agentic AI that helps decision-makers stay ahead of emerging threats. Grateful to be part of this critical conversation on the evolving cognitive battlefield.
I had the privilege of speaking on the panel "Determining Acceptable Risk for IO" at #PhoenixChallenge2026 today alongside @Hasan Davulcu, @Thomas Kent, @Nick Wilcox, moderated by @Andrew Whiskeyman — presenting our work with Laura Cassani on agentic AI for cognitive warfare. Here is the argument I made — and I believe it is urgent. 🔴 OIE is stuck in the dark. Adversaries are using AI to generate and amplify information at the speed of light — but our operations still rely on reactive analytics and post hoc evaluation. That is not just inefficient. It is unacceptable risk. Today's IO stack gives the appearance of insight — dashboards, not testbeds; LLMs not agents; sentiment analytics vs. fine-grained psychological effect measures. But existing systems answer the wrong question. They tell us what already happened, not what may happen next. In cyber and kinetic domains, operating without pre-deployment testing would be unacceptable. In IO, it has become standard practice. 🔁 The shift we need: from observation to simulation. At Aptima, we are building exactly that infrastructure: 1. Human digital twins validated against real-world discourse — simulate how a narrative moves belief, sharing, and emotional tone before deployment, not after. 2. Fine-grained cognitive assessment for psychological advantage: emotions, moral values, intent, and connotation frames — not just sentiment. 3. Agentic AI that closes the speed gap: simulate adversary attack → detect manipulation → optimize counter-messaging → measure and explain cognitive effects — before a planner makes a decision. 🎓 Now — with simulation testbeds ready — we need to train the warfighter. Our moderator @Andrew Whiskeyman raised a critical closing point: a 3-hour course does not prepare warfighters for the cognitive battlefield — and I couldn't agree more. AI-powered simulations are ready now and should be deployed to train warfighters today. Mary Ann Swendsen, CEM, MA, MS — this is directly in your lane: agentic AI tools for modeling non-kinetic effects to design and support training exercises that reflect the real complexity of the multi-domain environment. And Thomas J. — tactical decision games are the vehicle to get Marines there: immersive, scenario-driven exercises that build the cognitive muscle memory to recognize, reason about, and counter psyops in the field, not just in a classroom. The technology exists. The question is whether we build it into operational planning and training before the next crisis — or after. #CognitiveWarfare #InformationAdvantage #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanDigitalTwins #AptimaInc #PhoenixChallenge #AIforDefense #TacticalDecisionGames #WarfighterTraining #Marines
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Aptima’s Chief of AI, Svitlana Volkova, PhD, is featured in Military.com, sharing insights on the evolving landscape of cognitive warfare. Her work focuses on modeling human behavior at scale, from individuals to entire populations, using advanced AI systems that go beyond traditional approaches. As highlighted in the article, this includes: • Human digital twins • Large-scale social simulations • Autonomous agents that adapt and interact These capabilities are shaping how organizations understand influence, decision-making, and complex human systems. We’re proud to see Svitlana’s work recognized as part of this broader conversation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g72zzxvz #ArtificialIntelligence #AptimaInc #CognitiveWarfare #Innovation
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Innovation in robotics isn’t just about movement, it’s about adaptability when things don’t go as planned. Aptima has been selected as a finalist in the Army PIT xTechHumanoid competition, advancing an adaptive locomotion autonomy core designed to help humanoid robots recover from slips, obstacles, and complex terrain without human intervention. As Aptima Research Engineer Jordan Coker explains, the goal is to enable robots to recognize the unexpected and respond in real time, strengthening human–machine teaming in high-risk, mission-critical environments. Read more in our feature on Military.com: https://lnkd.in/gjPJdH4t #Robotics #AI #DefenseTech #MilitaryInnovation #AptimaInc
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Kudos to Laura Cassani for organizing and chairing the SynRDinBAS workshop at WACV 2026, and to the broader community contributing to this critical work. As synthetic content continues to evolve, collaboration like this is essential to developing solutions we can trust. We’re grateful to be part of a community pushing this work forward. 👏 #WACV #AIResearch #SyntheticMedia #AptimaInc
I had a great time organizing and chairing the Synthetic Realities and Data in Biometric Analysis and Security (SynRDinBAS) Workshop at IEEE Winter Conference on Applications of Computer Vision (WACV) this year. A special thank you to everyone who participated in our Image Edit & Localization Challenge sponsored by ULRI Digital Safety Research Institute! The submissions provided insights into how well current approaches can identify and localize manipulated imagery, an increasingly important problem as synthetic and edited media become more sophisticated. I’m especially grateful to the co-organizers, reviewers, and paper authors who helped make the workshop such a success. Looking forward to continuing the conversation and building on this work with the community! #WACV #ComputerVision #SyntheticMedia #MediaForensics #AIResearch
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The future of training is adaptive, integrated, and AI-enabled. At the National Defense Industrial Association - (NDIA) Human Systems Conference, Aptima’s Enzo Paradiso will present a systems approach to integrating AI into personalized training and assessment across DoD learning environments. His session explores how aligning curriculum development, scenario generation, adaptive delivery, and assessment can create more effective proficiency-based training. 📅 March 17 | 2:30–2:50 PM 📍 Van Metre Hall If you’re attending, be sure to add this session to your schedule. #DoD #NationalSecurity #DefenseTech #HumanSystems #NDIA
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Human-AI collaboration is not about choosing one over the other. At Aptima, it’s about recognizing that humans and AI excel at different things and designing systems where they work together. When paired thoughtfully, human judgment and AI capabilities can outperform either working alone, especially in complex, data-rich environments. Watch this video to see what our Director of Intelligence Performance Analytics, Robert McCormack thinks of what “human AI” means to Aptima. #HumanAI #AIandHumans #DefenseAnalytics #AIwithPurpose #AptimaInc
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We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Dr. Jean Macmillan, Aptima’s former Board Member and Founding Chief Scientist. Jean joined Aptima’s founding Board of Directors in 1997 and served as our most senior scientist until her partial retirement in 2013, continuing on the Board through 2025. For nearly three decades, her insight, leadership, and mentorship helped shape both our company and the broader field of human performance science. A highly respected researcher in human performance measurement and team training, Jean’s work advanced the integration of emerging technologies with deep understanding of human behavior and cognition. Just as meaningful as her scientific contributions was the role she played as a mentor and guide to so many within Aptima and beyond. ���We are heartbroken by Jean’s passing,” said Aptima co-founders Meg Clancy and Daniel Serfaty. “Her impact on our company culture, its employees, her field of expertise, and her loving friendship will be felt for years to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.” Her legacy will continue through the people she inspired and the innovations her work made possible.
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Aptima is honored to be selected for panel participation at Phoenix Challenge 2026, hosted by the United States Department of War and the Office of Information Operations Policy. On March 24th, our Chief of AI, Dr. Svitlana Volkova, will represent Aptima on the panel: “Determining Acceptable Risk for IO” She’ll join experts from Arizona State University, the American Foreign Policy Council, and CACI International Inc to explore one of the most pressing questions in today’s Information Operations landscape: how organizations define, assess, and manage risk in complex information environments. We’re proud to contribute to this important dialogue and to help advance rigorous, evidence-based approaches to Information Operations. If you’re attending Phoenix Challenge, we look forward to connecting. #AI #NationalSecurity #RiskManagement #AptimaInc
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The countdown is on!
Just five more days until the Routine #Autonomous Multi-#Aircraft Operations (RAM-AO) Working Group Meeting at NASA Ames Research Center! Summer Stallmann will giving us an overview of NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's new #AirTrafficManagement & #Safety (ATMS) Project. Maxime Gariel and Craig M. from Joby Aviation will be giving us an overview of the biggest challenges and enablers to greater #autonomy in #aviation. Victoria Dulchinos will share the results of a joint study between #NASA and Wisk on human-in-the-loop (#HITL) operations. Meredith Carroll, Director of the ATLAS Lab at Florida Tech, will give us a peek into TRANSCEND, her NASA University Leadership Initiative investigating #trust in learning-enabled safety assurance systems for #AdvancedAirMobility (#AAM). Bhoomin B Chauhan, Ph.D. and Bryan Petty will give an update on their recently completed study on #HumanFactors in multi-aircraft #UAS Traffic Management (#UTM) operations. Anna Dietrich (of AUVSI — Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International) will moderate a conversation between Harrison Wolf (Flight Safety Foundation, Advanced Aviation), Brandon Suarez (RTCA, SC228), Mallory Graydon (SAE International, S18), and Andrew Lacher (ASTM International, AC377) on ongoing work each organization is pursuing to enable autonomous, multi-aircraft operations. Robert Rose, the CEO of the Reliable Robotics Corporation, will close us out with the keynote and a fireside chat with Shivanjli Sharma, the Director of ATMS. A huge thank you to our speakers for lending their expertise to this critical mission. We can’t wait to see everyone in five days! #sUAS #UAV #uncrewed #drone #BVLOS #remote #AptimaInc #HumanAutonomyTeaming #UASOperations #HumanCenteredEngineering
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