US Department of Defense

The Pentagon has opened an investigation into a data breach that exposed the personal information of US military service members. The scope of the breach and how many people are affected have not yet been detailed. The probe comes amid growing concern over cybersecurity failures and the vulnerability of sensitive personnel data at the Department of Defense.

The Pentagon is asking for $30 million to develop an AI-powered lie detection system, according to MIT Technology Review. The proposal would fund technology that uses artificial intelligence to assess deception, raising questions among readers about the scientific reliability of such tools and the privacy and civil liberties implications of deploying AI lie detectors in security or military screening.

SpaceX has carried out another classified launch for the US Department of Defense, with the payload and mission details kept secret. Observers believe the flight is part of the Pentagon's Starshield programme, SpaceX's military-focused satellite network, which is thought to be expanding with repeated dedicated national security launches in recent months.

Todd Blanche, the US Deputy Attorney General, is defending the Justice Department's approach to artificial intelligence and hospital mergers. He argued the administration's stance on AI supports innovation rather than weakening oversight, and that hospital consolidation deals do not automatically harm patients or competition. The remarks have drawn attention from antitrust watchers and health policy commentators.

A US appeals court has upheld the Pentagon's decision to place AI company Anthropic under a heightened risk designation. The ruling keeps in place the Defense Department's assessment of potential risks tied to the firm's artificial intelligence work. The decision is drawing attention as governments weigh oversight of leading AI developers and their role in sensitive defense-related contexts.

The US Army deployed a registered dietitian to the Himalayan region, according to a Defense Department news report. The assignment is tied to supporting soldiers operating at high altitude, where extreme cold, thin air and difficult logistics make proper nutrition and caloric intake a serious concern for performance and health. The dietitian's role covers advising on rations, hydration and altitude-related dietary needs.

The US Air Force has issued an official directive requiring every Airman and Guardian to update their religious affiliation records so they align with Department of Defense standards. The order applies across the entire force and reflects a broader effort to standardize personnel data across military branches, though the reasons behind the timing have not been detailed.

A US appeals court has upheld the Pentagon's blacklisting of artificial intelligence company Anthropic. The ruling means the Defense Department's decision to restrict dealings with the AI firm stands, dealing a setback to Anthropic's efforts to challenge the designation. The move places one of America's leading AI developers at odds with the Pentagon, raising questions about the government's relationship with major technology companies working on advanced AI systems.

A first-person account published in The Seattle Times lays out why the author is taking legal action against the Pentagon. The piece explains the lawsuit directly from the plaintiff's perspective, arguing the case matters beyond one person. It has drawn attention as part of the wider debate over transparency and accountability at the US Department of Defense, with readers weighing in on both sides of the legal challenge.