New report directs attention at directed energy weapons

Given the officially secretive nature of America's sprawling military presence around the world and its domestic support bureaucracy, the U.S. public is often left in the dark as to what kind of new weapons of war its tax dollars are paying to develop. In the case of things like "high powered microwave" weapons, this "makes … Continue reading New report directs attention at directed energy weapons

CIA, DoD eager to tap AI capabilities they don’t understand

An artificial intelligence arms race seems to be officially underway following Russian President Vladimir Putin's comment last week that whoever comes to dominate the field "will be the ruler of the world." This is one area, at least, where top U.S. policymakers can apparently agree with Putin. The military and the Central Intelligence Agency are … Continue reading CIA, DoD eager to tap AI capabilities they don’t understand

DoD officials offer conflicting hints on killer robot policy

It's been a busy year in the world of robotics and the politics surrounding it, the latest development coming in the form of potentially conflicting comments from two Pentagon officials hinting at what the future of an international killer robot ban -- or lack thereof -- might look like. Not only has the job-killing potential … Continue reading DoD officials offer conflicting hints on killer robot policy

Vulnerabilities Revealed Amidst Digital ‘Arms Race’

Although encrypted data has reportedly not yet posed a problem for investigators in the Orlando killing spree case, that didn't stop early media speculation that the investigation could reignite high-profile battles over data security. Earlier this year, Apple and the Federal Bureau of Investigation got into a fight over security features on a phone related to the … Continue reading Vulnerabilities Revealed Amidst Digital ‘Arms Race’