VRAI Adds AI Exec to Board to Support Growth
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Katie Raine, an Executive with defence AI company, Helsing, will join VRAI as a Non Executive Director on the board and key industry advisor as the company continues to develop its simulation data capture technology.
Katie brings a wealth of operational and industry experience from her previous aerospace, defence and technology related roles, having worked as a Warfare Officer in the Royal Navy before joining BAE Systems and since December 2023 at Helsing.
Commenting on joining VRAI’s board, Katie Raine said: “VRAI’s mission to redefine exceptional human performance resonates with me. I have trained in simulators while in uniform and have delivered training programmes on behalf of BAE Systems. Now working at the cutting-edge of AI in defence with Helsing, I know first hand just how transformative simulation technology can be. VRAI’s technology delivers incredibly useful insights from valuable data which is used to transform the training pipeline. I am excited to contribute to VRAI’s next phase of growth.”
Established in Ireland in 2017, VRAI works with customers such as the British Army, Irish Defence Forces, BAE Systems,Kongsberg and Babcock, as well as customers in offshore renewables and emergency services.
Commenting on Katie Raine’s appointment to the VRAI board and the company's future plans, VRAI CEO, Pat O’Connor said: “We’re delighted to welcome Katie to the board as we consciously build a talent dense team to support our growth plans. Katie brings her depth of experience and talent from serving as a Warfare Officer with the Royal Navy, working with Europe's largest aerospace and defence company in BAE Systems, and now with Europe's leading Dual Use AI company Helsing. I’m confident that having Katie on our board will help us achieve our ambitious plans in the coming years.”
As competition between the great powers returns to the geopolitical landscape, governments across Europe are increasing their defence spending to generational highs in order to ensure they have the capability they need to defend their societies. The United States has been increasing its defence spending since 2016. In 2023 alone, it spent around $916 billion USD, which works out at $2,220 USD per capita. This is comfortably more than any other country, with China ranked second at $296 billion USD.
VRAI plans to grow their team to meet this increase in demand through reinvesting their commercial contracts, by raising additional capital and adding experienced talent like Katie Raine’s to their team.
The company intends to play a key role in democratising simulation training, and creating a future where simulation is available not only for people in elite roles such as pilots, surgeons or Formula 1 drivers, but to anyone who needs it. Leveraging the simulation data generated through their HEAT product, individuals will be able to access personalised, adaptive learning environments, so that they can develop the skills they need to flourish.
