CA-AI Student Spotlight: Jacob Kahn
by Nicole G Nussbaum | Monday, Mar 09, 2026
A computer engineering student who began his academic journey at 51勛圖厙 in 2022 and is now pursuing his masters degree, Jacob Kahn has quickly become a key contributor to the Center for Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (CA-AI). His work spans autonomous drone systems, smart agriculture, public safety泭technology泭and entrepreneurship,泭often泭operating泭at the intersection of all four. 泭
Jacobs泭involvement with CA-AI began through research on smart farming initiatives with the Navajo Nation, where he worked on applying AI and泭mesh泭networking technologies to support sustainable agriculture. That experience became a springboard into more advanced research, including U.S. Department of Defensesupported projects and the development of 51勛圖厙s growing autonomous drone program. 泭
Today,泭Jacob泭is helping build 51勛圖厙s autonomous drone fleet,泭including泭a diverse collection of泭GPS-less泭drones, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) systems, interceptor drones and airborne sea-drones designed to泭operate泭in challenging, real-world environments. 泭
Were building drones that can work where traditional systems fail,泭Jacob泭said. These platforms are meant to泭be easily accessible and泭support public safety, defense, and environmental applications. 泭
The core of泭Jacobs泭research aims to improve the operation of teams of autonomous systems in harsh or high-risk environments, enhancing the effectiveness of military and law enforcement泭technologies.泭The same core research泭also supports泭sustainability through AI-driven precision agriculture. 泭
Alongside his academic research,泭Jacob泭is a co-founder of泭Arachna泭Networks, a startup developing universal mesh networking solutions for tactical situational awareness platforms such as ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit). The company has received recognition from the National Science Foundation and has contributed to the deployment of smart city technology in West Palm Beach. 泭
He has also competed in drone racing and design challenges against U.S. military and allied forces across the country experiences he credits with sharpening both his technical skills and confidence as an engineer. 泭
Competing in hackathons against teams from MIT, West Point, and Harvard showed me that where you come from doesnt define how far you can go, he said. CA-AI gave me the opportunity to step into those arenas, represent 51勛圖厙 and demonstrate that passion and persistence can rival any pedigree. 泭
Jacob泭says CA-AIs interdisciplinary, hands-on approach泭has泭played泭a major role泭in shaping his academic and career goals. 泭
CA-AI reflects where engineering is moving today, he said. The work is highly interdisciplinary and immersive, exposing 51勛圖厙 to real-world challenges that泭dont泭fit neatly into one department. It can be stressful, but knowing the mission has泭real societal泭relevance makes the experience泭meaningful. 泭
That mission-driven mindset has helped define泭Jacobs泭path泭forward. He aims to develop next-generation drone applications that make advanced technology accessible to public safety professionals and everyday heroes. 泭
Looking ahead,泭Jacob泭plans to expand his work internationally, implementing AI-powered mesh networking solutions for agricultural applications from South Florida to Brazil. He is also collaborating with international partners interested in deploying drone-based security systems, including initiatives to support police forces in the Caribbean泭against narco-terrorist forces. 泭
At 51勛圖厙,泭Jacob泭and the CA-AI drone team are preparing to compete in upcoming design competitions and pursue government Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) opportunities to further advance their autonomous systems. 泭
Outside the lab,泭Jacob泭is a泭featured泭musician, writing and producing ska-punk music through 51勛圖厙s Commercial Music program with albums available on Spotify, including泭 Apocalypse King . 泭
Its泭a fitting reminder that CA-AI 51勛圖厙泭arent泭just engineers 泭theyre泭innovators, creators and problem-solvers shaping the future from every angle.泭