Latest news with #DepartmentOfDefense
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Pentagon Is Pumping $200 Million Into Elon Musk's AI That Just Had a Nazi Meltdown
Elon Musk's AI startup xAI has announced a nearly $200 million contract with the US Department of Defense for developing AI tools for the military. The news comes a week after xAI's foul-mouthed Grok chatbot had a full-blown Nazi meltdown, referring to itself as "MechaHitler" and making outrageously bigoted claims about Black and Jewish people. In a wordy statement that was thin on details, the DoD's chief digital and AI officer, Doug Matty, lauded the partnership as an important step forward for the US military. "Leveraging commercially available solutions into an integrated capabilities approach will accelerate the use of advanced AI as part of our joint mission-essential tasks in our warfighting domain as well as intelligence, business and enterprise information systems," Matty said. The announcement highlights how cozy Musk's relationship with the government has become, despite his major falling out with president Donald Trump. In May, Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency was heavily criticized for pushing the use of its Grok chatbot at the Department of Homeland Security without the required sign-offs, yet another example of the billionaire's glaring conflicts of interest. Its massive DoD contract could xAI a much-needed influx of cash. The startup has been burning through an astonishing $1 billion per month, forcing a seemingly desperate Musk to siphon off funds from his other businesses to keep it afloat. Apart from the DoD deal, xAI also announced a "Grok for Government" feature, designed to capture the Trump administration's considerable appetite for adopting AI. It also conveniently aligns with the administration's "anti-woke" agenda. Musk has been trying to push Grok to allegedly be "maximally truth seeking" in a purported effort to root out its "woke" tendencies, such as pointing out accurate reporting by trustworthy news sources. Instead, Musk has pushed the chatbot to echo his personal, right-wing extremist beliefs to a near-comical degree. Over the weekend, it emerged that Grok was searching Twitter and the web for Musk's personal views before making up its mind. In other words, the US military is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a chatbot that isn't just happily furthering unhinged conspiracy theories; it's started to act like Musk's own AI shadow, making it a highly questionable choice for the Department of Defense. More on Grok: Newest Version of Grok Looks Up What Elon Musk Thinks Before Giving an Answer Solve the daily Crossword
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Trump's ex-national security adviser defends use of Signal months after group chat leak
Update: Date: 2025-07-15T15:47:58.000Z Title: Mike Waltz Content: , Trump's nominee to become the UN ambassador, says use of Signal 'not only authorized, it was recommended' Shannon Ho (now) Lucy Campbell and Tom Ambrose (earlier) Tue 15 Jul 2025 17.47 CEST First published on Tue 15 Jul 2025 11.52 CEST From 5.38pm CEST 17:38 Finally, is asked by Democratic senator Chris Coons whether he was investigated for his disclosure of sensitive operational information on Signal and his expansion of the group chat to (mistakenly) include a journalist. Waltz says that use of Signal was 'not only authorized, it was recommended' for government and personal devices. Pressed to clarify whether Signal was recommended for disclosure of sensitive military information, Waltz says there was no classified information disclosed. Pressed again on whether or not he was investigated, Waltz says the White House conducted an investigation and, to his understanding, the Department of Defense was still conducting one. Asked if any disciplinary action was taken, Waltz says no. Asked if he spoke to the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, about his decision to share details of an imminent military strike, Waltz says they only spoke about the 'highly successful mission'. Coons says he was hoping to hear some level of regret from Waltz about sharing sensitive information on a commercially available app, to which Waltz insists again that no classified information was shared. Updated at 5.42pm CEST 5.47pm CEST 17:47 Democratic senator Tim Kaine also brought up Signal during his time to question . The former national security adviser again claimed that no classified information was shared. Waltz cited testimony from defense secretary Pete Hegseth claiming the same assessment of their Signal group chat. 'I'm sure secretary Hegseth says he didn't share any classified information but the fact of the matter is there are two investigations going on at the Pentagon precisely to determine in an objective and independent way whether classified information was shared,' Kaine said. 5.38pm CEST 17:38 Finally, is asked by Democratic senator Chris Coons whether he was investigated for his disclosure of sensitive operational information on Signal and his expansion of the group chat to (mistakenly) include a journalist. Waltz says that use of Signal was 'not only authorized, it was recommended' for government and personal devices. Pressed to clarify whether Signal was recommended for disclosure of sensitive military information, Waltz says there was no classified information disclosed. Pressed again on whether or not he was investigated, Waltz says the White House conducted an investigation and, to his understanding, the Department of Defense was still conducting one. Asked if any disciplinary action was taken, Waltz says no. Asked if he spoke to the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, about his decision to share details of an imminent military strike, Waltz says they only spoke about the 'highly successful mission'. Coons says he was hoping to hear some level of regret from Waltz about sharing sensitive information on a commercially available app, to which Waltz insists again that no classified information was shared. Updated at 5.42pm CEST 5.04pm CEST 17:04 Just an observation that we're an hour into this hearing and the Signal group chat leak hasn't come up yet. 4.57pm CEST 16:57 If confirmed as ambassador, would arrive at the United Nations at a moment of great change, writes the Associated Press. The world body is reeling from Trump's decision to slash foreign assistance – affecting its humanitarian aid agencies – and it anticipates US funding cuts to the UN annual budget. Under an 'America first' foreign policy realignment, the White House – in line with the remarks we've just heard from Waltz at the hearing – has asserted that 'some of the UN's agencies and bodies have drifted' from their founding mission and 'act contrary to the interests of the United States while attacking our allies and propagating antisemitism'. With the US being the largest UN donor, cutting American funding to the UN budget would greatly impair operations. Facing financial instability, the UN has spent months shedding jobs and consolidating projects while beginning to tackle long-delayed reforms. It is also facing growing frustration over what critics describe as a lack of efficiency and power in delivering on its mandate to end conflict and prevent wars. John Bolton, a former US ambassador to the UN who was also national security adviser during Trump's first term, was critical of the current state of the UN. 'It's probably in the worst shape it's been in since it was founded,' Bolton, now an outspoken Trump critic, recently told the AP. Updated at 5.03pm CEST 4.54pm CEST 16:54 In his opening remarks, was critical of the United Nations' approach to China and what he called 'antisemitism' at the organization. He said the UN had drifted from its original peacemaking goals and should return to its founding principles – 'peacemaking, not nation-building'. Waltz added: I'm confident under this president's leadership, we can continue to spread peace and prosperity, and I'm confident we can make the UN great again. 'Countering China, absolutely, Senator Shaheen, is critical,' Waltz said. If confirmed, he said, he would work with the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio (who also replaced him as national security adviser), to challenge China's growing influence at the UN. He also highlighted the large number of UN resolutions against Israel compared with other countries, without offering any context as to why that might be. Updated at 5.02pm CEST 4.44pm CEST 16:44 True to her comments in my last post, the ranking member on the Senate foreign relations committee, Jeanne Shaheen, focused her opening remarks at 's confirmation hearing on critiquing the US's retreat from its role on the global stage, highlighting the Trump administration's slashing of budget and staff related to international relations. When the US pulls back, China benefits, she said. They continue making long-term investments at the United Nations and international organizations, not only through contributions, but by placing more Chinese nationals in key roles. Mr Waltz, I urge you to take this threat seriously. I know you do. Updated at 4.57pm CEST 4.04pm CEST 16:04 Former national security adviser (remember him?) is due to have his confirmation hearing before the Senate foreign relations committee shortly, giving lawmakers their first opportunity to publicly question him over the Signalgate controversy – which saw him inadvertently add a journalist to a high-level Signal group chat about US military strikes in Yemen. Trump removed Waltz from his role as national security adviser in May, weeks after the scandal, and nominated him to the position of United Nations ambassador. Waltz had actually been on thin ice for weeks before Signalgate in large part due to strained working relationships in the White House, but he had also found himself under pressure for being seen as a war hawk and at odds with Trump's 'America first' agenda. The demoted Waltz, who has been meeting with senators on Capitol Hill in recent days, will appear before the committee today alongside John Arrigo and Christine Toretti, two other Trump nominees for ambassadorships to Portugal and Sweden respectively. He is largely expected to be confirmed unless anything major comes up – and get a second go in the Trump administration. The top Democrat on the committee, Jeanne Shaheen, told NBC News she is 'sure' Signalgate will come up, 'but what I want to know from Mr Waltz is whether he supports the UN, continued American presence at the United Nations, how he intends to make that case, and what he sees as the role of our UN ambassador'. I'll bring you any key lines from the hearing here. Updated at 5.05pm CEST 3.51pm CEST 15:51 Donald Trump has said that Democratic senator Adam Schiff 'has engaged in a sustained pattern of possible mortgage fraud' and 'needs to be brought to justice'. In a post on Truth Social this morning, Trump said Schiff, who holds a seat in California, had listed his primary address in Maryland 'to get a cheaper mortgage' from 2009 until 2020, when he listed the property as his second address. Updated at 4.00pm CEST 2.57pm CEST 14:57 Lauren Aratani Inflation shot up in June as the impacts of Donald Trump's tariffs slowly started to show in US prices. Business leaders have said for months that the high, volatile rates of Trump's tariffs will force companies to raise consumer prices. Prices remained stable in the spring, particularly as many of Trump's highest tariffs were paused; however, they started increasing in May and have continued to rise in June. Annual inflation rose to 2.7% in June, up from 2.4% in May, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks the prices of a basket of goods and services each month. Core CPI, which leaves out energy and food prices, ticked up slightly to 2.9%, compared with 2.8% in May. Inflation remains far below the price peaks seen three years ago, when price increases reached as high as 9%, and even a year ago, when increases were closer to 3%. But tariffs have appeared to halt inflation's downward path. According to the Yale Budget Lab, Americans now face an average tariff rate of 18.7% – the highest rate since 1933. That includes 30% tariffs on China, a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum, 25% on auto parts and a universal 10% tariff on all imports. The levies currently in effect do not include those Trump is threatening to impose on other large US trading partners. Over the weekend, Trump threatened the EU and Mexico with 30% tariffs and Canada with a 35% tariff. Brazil is set to face 50% tariffs as punishment for the trial of Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's former president, who is facing charges of attempting a coup. Prices will likely be pushed up much higher should these tariff rates go into effect, but it's unclear if and when that could happen. Trump initially set negotiation deadlines to 9 July, but pushed it forward to 1 August as the date approached. Trump's trade advisers have said they aim to end negotiations by Labor Day at the beginning of September. As prices remain volatile, the Federal Reserve appears unlikely to adjust interest rates anytime soon, despite cutting rates three times in the fall. Fed officials, including the central bank's chair, Jerome Powell, have said that price increases are expected to continue in the summer, drawing away from the Fed's 2% inflation target. 2.29pm CEST 14:29 Luke Harding in Kyiv and Artem Mazhulin Ukrainians are celebrating Melania Trump on social media in a series of memes, after Donald Trump suggested the first lady played a part in his apparent change of heart over Russia. Speaking at a meeting in the White House on Monday with the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, Trump said his wife had played a key role in pointing out Vladimir Putin's duplicity. 'My conversations with him [Putin] are always very pleasant. I say, 'Isn't that a very lovely conversation?' And then the missiles go off that night,' Trump said. 'I go home, I tell the first lady: 'I spoke with Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation.' She said: 'Really? Another city was just hit.'' Slovenian-born Melania, who grew up in the former Yugoslavia, has previously appeared to be a bigger supporter of Ukraine than the sceptical US president, who in February this year called Volodymyr Zelenskyy a dictator. Shortly after the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, she appealed to her social media followers to donate to the Red Cross, saying it was 'heartbreaking and horrific to see innocent people suffering'. Agent Melania Trumpenko After Trump's Oval Office comments on Monday, one social media user posted a photo of 'Agent Melania Trumpenko' wearing a blazer with a Ukrainian trident insignia. Her face is half-shaded with a big hat, giving the impression she is working undercover inside the White House, to Kyiv's benefit. The magazine Business in Ukraine observed that 'there is a lot of love on social media tonight for Melania Trump' after the announcement that the US would send Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine. It reproduced a longstanding meme featuring three creatures wearing an army helmet and military caps. The image is used to denote a western politician or celebrity who supports or is friendly to Ukraine. The creatures give Melania a hat decorated with a Ukrainian flag. Another meme shows the first lady standing behind her husband in the Oval Office, while he signs a presidential decree. The caption reads: 'Sisters Melania of the Bene Gesserit' – a reference to the powerful, secret and politically influential sisterhood from Frank Herbert's science fiction book Dune. Updated at 2.40pm CEST 1.43pm CEST 13:43 Oliver Milman A group of Republican lawmakers has complained that smoke from Canadian wildfires is ruining summer for Americans, just days after voting for a major bill that will cause more of the planet-heating pollution that is worsening wildfires. In a letter sent to Canada's ambassador to the US, six Republican members of Congress wrote that wildfire smoke from Canada has been an issue for several years and recently their voters 'have had to deal with suffocating Canadian wildfire smoke filling the air to begin the summer'. 'Our constituents have been limited in their ability to go outside and safely breathe due to the dangerous air quality the wildfire smoke has created,' the group of House of Representative members from Wisconsin and Minnesota wrote on 7 July. 'In our neck of the woods, summer months are the best time of the year to spend time outdoors recreating, enjoying time with family, and creating new memories, but this wildfire smoke makes it difficult to do all those things.' The lawmakers urged Canada to take 'proper action' to reduce the smoke and noted the historic friendship between Canada and America, without mentioning Donald Trump's repeated demands for Canada to be annexed and become the 51st state of the US. 'Our communities shouldn't suffer because of poor decisions made across the border,' Tom Tiffany, a Republican congressman from Wisconsin and one of the letter's authors, wrote on X. Updated at 2.30pm CEST 1.17pm CEST 13:17 Stephen Starr A Biden-era plan to implement a gas-powered blast furnace at a steel mill in Ohio, which would have eliminated tons of greenhouse gases from the local environment year over year and created more than a thousand jobs, has been put on hold indefinitely by the Trump administration. Experts and locals say the setback could greatly affect the health and financial state of those living around the mill. For 13 years, Donna Ballinger has been dealing with blasting noises and layers of dust from coal and heavy metals on her vehicles and house, situated a few hundred yards from the Cleveland-Cliffs-owned Middletown Works steel mill in south-west Ohio. 'I've had sinus infections near constantly. I have COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease],' she says. 'When they've got the big booms going, your whole house is shaking.' So when two years ago, the steel mill successfully trialed a hydrogen gas-powered blast furnace, the first time the fuel had been deployed in this fashion anywhere in the Americas, she was delighted. It cost an estimated $1.6bn, and the Biden administration, through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), coughed up $500m to help cover the cost of installing the technology. Replacing a coal-powered furnace would have eliminated 1m tons of greenhouse gases from the local environment every year, according to Cleveland-Cliffs. It would also have saved the company $450m every year through 'efficiency gains and reduced scrap dependency', and created 1,200 construction and 150 permanent jobs in the town of 50,000 residents who have struggled for decades with manufacturing losses. Updated at 2.31pm CEST 12.56pm CEST 12:56 The US Senate will begin voting as soon as Tuesday on president Donald Trump's request to slash $9.4 billion in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting previously approved by Congress, the latest test of Trump's control over his fellow Republicans. Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the chamber's Republican majority leader, said he hoped the first procedural votes would take place on Tuesday, but he did not know whether he had enough votes for the measure to pass without amendments. 'I don't know the answer to that at this point. We got a lot of feedback. And I know there are folks who would like to see at least some modest changes to it,' Thune told reporters. The Senate has until Friday to act on the rescessions package - a request to claw back $8.3 billion in foreign aid funding and $1.1 billion for public broadcasting - or the request will expire and the White House will be required to adhere to the spending plans passed by Congress. The amounts at stake are small in the context of the sprawling federal budget, which totaled $6.8 trillion in the fiscal year ended 30 September. Yet they have raised the hackles of Democrats and a handful of Republicans who see an attempt to erode Congress's authority over spending. Democrats say the programs in Trump's crosshairs are foreign aid initiatives. These include support for women and children's health and the fight against HIV/AIDS, programs that have long had strong bipartisan support. Democrats also oppose cutting funds supporting broadcasting they view as essential communications in rural areas. 12.39pm CEST 12:39 Trump said he was 'disappointed, but not done' with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, hours after he announced a military deal with Nato countries to arm Ukraine. His announcement, alongside the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, in the Oval Office, has been viewed in Europe as an important shift from Washington. When asked if he was done with Putin, the president replied: 'I'm disappointed in him, but I'm not done with him. But I'm disappointed in him. 'We had a deal done four times and then you go home and you see just attacked a nursing home in Kyiv. And so what the hell was that all about?' Asked if he trusted him, he said: 'I trust almost nobody, to be honest with you.' He also said he believed there was a newfound respect for him among world leaders – now he had twice won the presidency. 'When you do it twice, it's the big difference. I also think that over the years, they've gotten to know me, this is not an easy crowd to break into,' he said. 'These are smart people heading up very, very successful … countries, you know, they're Germany and France, Spain and, yeah, big.' Asked if he felt world leaders were being too obsequious and deferential, Trump said: 'Well, I think they're just trying to be nice.' Updated at 2.13pm CEST 12.17pm CEST 12:17 Donald Trump also reflected on the attempted assassination of him, which the BBC journalist Gary O'Donoghue witnessed at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July. Speaking to BBC News, he said: We had 55,000 people, and it was dead silence. And so, you know, I assumed that they expected the worst. And so I had to let them know I was OK, which is what I did. That's why I tried to get up as quick as possible. They had a stretcher ready to go. I said: 'No, thank you.' I actually had a big argument with them. They wanted me on a stretcher. And I said: 'Nope, I'm not doing that.' Trump said he did not like to spend time thinking about that day – but acknowledged it could affect him deeply if he started to dwell on it. He said: I like to think about it as little as possible. I don't like dwelling on it, because if I did, it might be life changing. I don't want it to be that. 12.03pm CEST 12:03 In that BBC interview, president Donald Trump said that he was convinced the UK would come to the US's aid if it were at war. He said: I think they would be, I don't think a lot of the other countries would be. It's a special relationship. Look, that's why I made a deal with them … for the most part in terms of your competitors and in terms of the European Union, I haven't made a deal. Now the UK is very special … they have been a really true ally. Trump, who has previously been a key advocate of Brexit, also suggested he did not think the potential had been fulfilled – but said Starmer was making progress: No, I think, I think it's been on the sloppy side, but I think it's getting straightened out. I really like the prime minister a lot even though he's a liberal, I think he's, you know, he did a good trade deal with us. 11.52am CEST 11:52 Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of US politics amid the news that 'America's students will be the best, brightest, and most highly educated anywhere in the world,' according to Donald Trump as he welcomed the supreme court's decision to allow him to resume dismantling the Department of Education. In a late night post on Truth Social, the president said: The United States Supreme Court has handed a Major Victory to Parents and Students across the Country, by declaring the Trump Administration may proceed on returning the functions of the Department of Education BACK TO THE STATES. Now, with this GREAT Supreme Court Decision, our Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, may begin this very important process. The Federal Government has been running our Education System into the ground, but we are going to turn it all around by giving the Power back to the PEOPLE. America's Students will be the best, brightest, and most Highly Educated anywhere in the World. Thank you to the United States Supreme Court! The three liberal justices on the court dissented over the decision which will allow McMahon – a founder of World Wrestling Entertainment – to lay off nearly 1,400 staff. McMahon said it's a 'shame' it took the supreme court's intervention to let Trump's plan move ahead. 'Today, the supreme court again confirmed the obvious: the president of the United States, as the head of the executive branch, has the ultimate authority to make decisions about staffing levels, administrative organization, and day-to-day operations of federal agencies,' McMahon said in a statement. A lawyer for the Massachusetts cities and education groups that sued over the plan said the lawsuit will continue, adding no court has yet ruled that what the administration wants to do is legal. 'Without explaining to the American people its reasoning, a majority of justices on the US supreme court have dealt a devastating blow to this nation's promise of public education for all children. On its shadow docket, the Court has yet again ruled to overturn the decision of two lower courts without argument,' Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a statement. Read the full story here: Also overnight, Trump said he was 'disappointed but not done' with Vladimir Putin in comments to the BBC's journalist Gary O'Donoghue. It followed yesterday's Oval Office meeting with Nato's chief, Mark Rutte, in which Trump promised a new weapons deal for Ukraine and threatened to impose 'severe' sanctions on Russia if the war does not end within 50 days. The interview also touched on the assassination attempt against him, how he is looking forward to his state visit to the UK and his immigration and tax policies and we will bring you some major lines shortly. In other news: will face questioning from lawmakers for the first time since he was ousted as national security adviser. Trump has nominated him to be US ambassador to the United Nations, and he's set to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing today. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, thanked Trump for saying that European nations, led by Germany and Norway, could purchase US-made Patriot missile air-defense systems on Ukraine's behalf, to help defend the country against aerial bombardment by Russia. Trump continued his attacks on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, calling the central banker a 'stupid guy' and a 'knucklehead' as the president called for interest rates to be lowered to 1% or less. As Trump faced blowback from supporters over his administration's decision to not release more information about the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, more attention was being paid to the president's evasive answer on the subject during a portion of an interview with Fox News last year that was not broadcast. Updated at 1.41pm CEST
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Veeam Kasten Assessed 'Awardable' for Department of Defense work in the P1 Solutions Marketplace
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 15, 2025-- Veeam ® Software, the #1 global leader by market share in Data Resilience, today announced that Veeam Kasten has achieved 'Awardable' status through the Department of Defense (DoD) Platform One (P1) Solutions Marketplace. The P1 Solutions Marketplace is a digital repository of post-competition, 5-minute long readily-awardable pitch videos, which address the Government's most stringent requirements in hardware, software and service solutions. As organizations increasingly rely on Kubernetes for containerized applications and VMs, the need for robust data resilience – including backup and disaster recovery solutions – becomes critical. The dynamic nature of containers complicates traditional backup strategies. Without proper backup and recovery processes in place, organizations risk data loss, service disruption, financial impact, and adverse mission outcomes, making backup and disaster recovery essential for mission continuity and data integrity. Veeam Kasten provides comprehensive backup and disaster recovery, application mobility and ransomware protection for mission critical Kubernetes workloads. Whether managing large-scale migrations, ensuring resilient operations, or automating data protection and recovery, Veeam Kasten delivers unmatched reliability, security and usability. Veeam Kasten is the first enterprise-ready data protection solution to be hosted on Iron Bank – the vetted repository of assessed containers, purpose-built to enable the rapid, scalable, and secure deployment of applications across the DoD. Veeam Kasten images are available for P1 users to deploy on their Kubernetes clusters with confidence and ease, reducing deployment times from months or years to just weeks. 'As the DoD accelerates the adoption of emerging technology, the inclusion of Veeam Kasten in the P1 Marketplace demonstrates our commitment to delivering secure, data resilience for Kubernetes,' said Gaurav Rishi, Vice President of Product Management at Veeam. 'This milestone allows us to better support government agencies and contractors with a comprehensive solution for their Kubernetes application workloads, maximizing operational efficiency and enhancing data resilience in today's complex IT landscape. 'While most backup tools retrofit container support, Veeam Kasten was built for Kubernetes from day one, with native APIs, hardened images, and zero-trust architecture. Veeam Kasten is uniquely purpose-built – combining the industry's first FIPS 140-3-validated Kubernetes protection, P1 Iron Bank-hardened images, and automated SBOM generation – to enable federal agencies to meet stringent cyber resilience mandates without compromising innovation. We're excited to continue supporting the defense community with our industry-leading solutions and further strengthening Veeam Kasten's capability to secure Kubernetes data and support the DoD mission.' Veeam Kasten's video, Veeam Kasten for US Fed in Five Minutes, is now accessible by government customers on the P1 Solutions Marketplace. It presents an actual use case in which the company provides the what, why, and how of Veeam Kasten for Kubernetes and highlights how Veeam Kasten can help US Federal agencies and organizations protect their cloud native VM and container workloads. Veeam Kasten was recognized among a competitive field of applicants to the P1 Solutions Marketplace whose solutions demonstrated innovation, scalability, and potential impact on DoD missions. Government customers interested in viewing the video solution can create a P1 Solutions Marketplace account at Federal agencies can request access or schedule a product demo via For more information on Veeam, visit About Veeam Software Veeam®, the #1 global market leader in data resilience, believes every business should be able to bounce forward after a disruption with the confidence and control of all their data whenever and wherever they need it. Veeam calls this radical resilience, and we're obsessed with creating innovative ways to help our customers achieve it. Veeam solutions are purpose-built for powering data resilience by providing data backup, data recovery, data portability, data security, and data intelligence. With Veeam, IT and security leaders rest easy knowing that their apps and data are protected and always available across their cloud, virtual, physical, SaaS, and Kubernetes environments. Headquartered in Seattle with offices in more than 30 countries, Veeam protects over 550,000 customers worldwide, including 67% of the Global 2000, that trust Veeam to keep their businesses running. Radical resilience starts with Veeam. Learn more at or follow Veeam on LinkedIn @veeam-software and X @veeam. About the P1 Solutions Marketplace The P1 Solutions Marketplace is a digital repository of post-competition, readily awardable pitch videos that address the Department of Defense's (DoD) most significant challenges in hardware, software and service solutions. All awardable solutions have been assessed through complex scoring rubrics and competitive procedures and are available to Government customers with a Marketplace account. Government customers can create an account at For more information or media requests, contact: [email protected]. Supporting Q&As Why do you need Kubernetes protection? Veeam Kasten protects the unique characteristics of modern, cloud-native development in Kubernetes including data, configurations, metadata and dependencies. Kubernetes manages key data, configurations, and dependencies for modern apps. Veeam Kasten helps by safeguarding all these elements, ensuring Kubernetes workloads remain resilient, available, and secure. What does 'Awardable' mean in the Department of Defense Platform One Solutions Marketplace? 'Awardable' status means Veeam Kasten has passed DoD vetting and is pre-approved for procurement, allowing agencies to quickly acquire and deploy the solution without lengthy review processes. What platforms and environments are supported by Veeam Kasten? Veeam Kasten supports all major Kubernetes distributions, including Amazon EKS, Google GKE, Azure AKS, Red Hat OpenShift, VMware Tanzu, and on-premises Kubernetes clusters. View source version on For Veeam media inquiries, [email protected]. KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA WASHINGTON OHIO INDUSTRY KEYWORD: DATA MANAGEMENT DEFENSE SECURITY TECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE SOURCE: Veeam Software Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 07/15/2025 09:05 AM/DISC: 07/15/2025 09:05 AM
Geeky Gadgets
2 days ago
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Elon Musk Reveals GROK 4's Future : MacroHard, Tesla Merger, DoD and more
What happens when the world's most ambitious entrepreneur unveils a technology that could reshape industries, governments, and even the way we live? With the introduction of GROK 4, Elon Musk is once again pushing the boundaries of what artificial intelligence can achieve. This isn't just another AI model—it's a tenfold leap in computational power over its predecessor, designed to tackle challenges that were once thought insurmountable. From transforming Tesla's autonomous systems to securing high-stakes partnerships with the Department of Defense, GROK 4 represents more than just innovation; it's a bold statement about the future of human-machine collaboration. But as Musk's vision expands to include ventures like MacroHard, questions arise: How far can AI go, and what does it mean for industries on the brink of transformation? Wes Roth provides more insights into the far-reaching implications of Musk's latest AI endeavor, exploring how GROK 4 is set to redefine sectors ranging from transportation to national security. You'll uncover the innovative capabilities that make this model a fantastic option, including its role in Tesla's smarter vehicles and its potential to transform government operations. But it doesn't stop there—Musk's ambitious infrastructure investments and focus on explainable AI hint at a broader strategy to make AI not just powerful, but also ethical and accessible. As we unravel the layers of this new development, one thing becomes clear: GROK 4 isn't just a technological milestone; it's a glimpse into a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into every facet of our lives. Elon Musk's GROK 4 Transforming AI with GROK 4's Advanced Capabilities GROK 4 is built on a foundation of computational power that is ten times greater than its predecessor, GROK 3. This leap in processing capability enables the model to tackle complex tasks with enhanced coherence, adaptability, and precision. Its key features include: Advanced AI video generation for creating dynamic, high-quality content Multi-agent systems capable of intricate coding, image processing, and collaborative problem-solving Enhanced long-term task management for sustained performance and efficiency These features position GROK 4 as a leader in AI innovation, offering unparalleled versatility for industries that demand precision, scalability, and reliability. Its ability to manage sophisticated tasks with fluid intelligence sets it apart from competitors like Claude Opus 4, making it a pivotal tool in the evolution of artificial intelligence. Specialized AI Agents: Transforming Human Interaction Through XAI, Musk is developing specialized AI agents designed to address diverse applications. These agents simulate human interactions within virtual environments, offering tailored solutions for industries such as: Customer service, where AI can provide faster and more accurate responses Education and training, allowing personalized learning experiences Healthcare and defense, where precision and accountability are critical A central focus of these systems is explainable AI (XAI), which emphasizes transparency and interpretability. By making AI decisions more understandable, Musk aims to foster trust and usability, particularly in sensitive fields where ethical considerations and accountability are essential. This approach ensures that AI systems are not only powerful but also accessible and responsible. Elon Musks Reveals GROK 4's Future Watch this video on YouTube. Stay informed about the latest in GROK 4 AI model by exploring our other resources and articles. Integration with Tesla: Smarter Vehicles for a Connected Future GROK 4's integration into Tesla vehicles marks a significant milestone in Musk's AI strategy. By mid-2025, Tesla models, including the S3X, Y, and Cybertruck, will feature GROK 4 capabilities, provided users have premium connectivity or Wi-Fi access. This integration enhances vehicle intelligence, allowing: Improved user experiences through intuitive interfaces Smarter decision-making systems for navigation and safety Seamless connectivity for advanced features While Musk has ruled out a full merger between Tesla and XAI, this collaboration highlights the potential for cross-industry innovation. By blending automotive technology with advanced AI, Musk is setting new standards for intelligent transportation systems, paving the way for a future where vehicles are not only autonomous but also deeply integrated into the digital ecosystem. Government Partnerships: Advancing National Priorities Musk's AI ambitions extend into the public sector, with XAI securing contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the General Services Administration (GSA). These partnerships focus on delivering AI solutions that address critical national priorities, including: Operational efficiency to streamline government processes Enhanced security measures to protect sensitive data and infrastructure Reliability for mission-critical applications in defense and public services By aligning AI capabilities with federal needs, Musk's ventures contribute to defense modernization and infrastructure development. These collaborations underscore the growing importance of AI in public service, where innovation can drive both efficiency and security. Setting New Standards in AI Research and Development GROK 4 has undergone rigorous testing using time horizon benchmarks, demonstrating superior performance in task efficiency and long-term coherence. Research indicates that AI task completion efficiency is doubling every six months, and GROK 4 exemplifies this trend. Its advancements in areas such as AI video modeling and multi-agent systems position Musk's initiatives as formidable competitors to tech giants like Google. By consistently pushing the boundaries of AI research, GROK 4 is setting new standards for what artificial intelligence can achieve, offering practical solutions for real-world challenges. Infrastructure Investments: Building the Backbone of AI To support GROK 4's immense computational demands, Musk has invested heavily in infrastructure, including the Colossus data center. This state-of-the-art facility is specifically designed for advanced AI operations and is complemented by a dedicated power plant to ensure a stable and sustainable energy supply. These investments provide a competitive edge, allowing Musk's ventures to scale their AI capabilities while maintaining efficiency and reliability. By prioritizing infrastructure, Musk ensures that GROK 4 can meet the growing demands of AI-driven industries, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of future technological advancements. The Future of GROK 4 and Musk's Vision for AI Elon Musk's vision for artificial intelligence extends beyond technological innovation to encompass societal transformation. GROK 4's capabilities, combined with synergies across ventures like XAI and Tesla, position Musk as a pivotal figure in the AI revolution. From AI video generation to government solutions, GROK 4 is poised to influence industries worldwide. As Musk continues to push the boundaries of AI, his initiatives are likely to shape not only the future of technology but also the global economy, redefining how industries operate and interact in an increasingly interconnected world. Media Credit: Wes Roth Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
2 days ago
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Pentagon inks contracts for Musk's xAI, competitors
The Pentagon announced contracts on Monday with multiple leading US artificial intelligence firms including Elon Musk's xAI, which has faced intense scrutiny in recent days over anti-Semitic posts by its Grok chatbot. Each of the contracts to xAI, Anthropic, Google and OpenAI have a ceiling value of $200 million, the Pentagon's Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) said in a statement. The awards will enable the Department of Defense "to leverage the technology and talent of US frontier AI companies to develop agentic AI workflows across a variety of mission areas," it said. The contract with xAI comes just days after the company was forced to apologize again for controversial posts by its Grok chatbot. After an update on July 7, the chatbot praised Adolf Hitler in some responses on the X social media platform, denounced "anti-white hate," and described Jewish representation in Hollywood as "disproportionate." xAI apologized for the extremist and offensive messages, and said it had corrected the instructions that led to the incidents. The release on Wednesday of Grok 4, the latest chatbot version, was almost met with scrutiny after it appeared to consult Musk's positions on some questions it was asked before responding. The contract between xAI and the Department of Defense comes even as Musk and President Donald Trump have publicly feuded in recent weeks. Musk, a top backer of Trump's most recent presidential campaign, was entrusted with managing the new agency known as DOGE to massively slash government spending under the current administration. After ending his assignment in May, the South African-born entrepreneur publicly criticized Trump's major budget bill for increasing government debt. The president and the businessman engaged in heated exchanges on social media and in public statements before Musk apologized for some of his more combative messages. - 'Critical national security needs' - The government and the defense sector are considered a potential growth driver for AI giants. Musk's xAI announced on Monday the launch of a "Grok for Government" service, following a similar initiative by OpenAI. In addition to the Pentagon contract, "every federal government department, agency, or office (can now) purchase xAI products" thanks to its inclusion on an official supplier list, xAI said. Meta meanwhile has partnered with the start-up Anduril to develop virtual reality headsets for soldiers and law enforcement. OpenAI had previously announced in June that it had secured a Defense Department contract with a ceiling of $200 million. "Establishing these partnerships will broaden DoD use of and experience in frontier AI capabilities and increase the ability of these companies to understand and address critical national security needs with the most advanced AI capabilities U.S. industry has to offer," said the CDAO statement on Monday. tu-gw-des/sla
