Latest news with #U.S.DepartmentofDefense
Malaysia Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
Defense Department backs top AI firms with $200M contracts
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded major AI contracts to leading American firms, including OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Elon Musk's xAI, as part of an effort to deepen its use of advanced artificial intelligence tools across defense operations. The contracts, each with a ceiling of US$200 million, aim to develop agentic AI workflows to address critical national security challenges, according to the Department's Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. "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," the office said. OpenAI was previously named as one of the first recipients in June. At the time, the Pentagon said the maker of ChatGPT would "develop prototype frontier AI capabilities" that could support both warfighting and enterprise domains. These efforts align with a broader government strategy to foster a competitive and secure U.S. AI ecosystem. In April, the White House's Office of Management and Budget released new guidance directing federal agencies to ensure that the public benefits from a vibrant domestic AI market. The contracts mark a significant expansion in federal engagement with cutting-edge AI firms, especially as geopolitical tensions and evolving battlefield technologies increase the demand for real-time, autonomous decision-making tools.
Canada News.Net
7 days ago
- Business
- Canada News.Net
DoD taps Musk's xAI, OpenAI, Google for national security AI
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded major AI contracts to leading American firms, including OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Elon Musk's xAI, as part of an effort to deepen its use of advanced artificial intelligence tools across defense operations. The contracts, each with a ceiling of US$200 million, aim to develop agentic AI workflows to address critical national security challenges, according to the Department's Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. "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," the office said. OpenAI was previously named as one of the first recipients in June. At the time, the Pentagon said the maker of ChatGPT would "develop prototype frontier AI capabilities" that could support both warfighting and enterprise domains. These efforts align with a broader government strategy to foster a competitive and secure U.S. AI ecosystem. In April, the White House's Office of Management and Budget released new guidance directing federal agencies to ensure that the public benefits from a vibrant domestic AI market. The contracts mark a significant expansion in federal engagement with cutting-edge AI firms, especially as geopolitical tensions and evolving battlefield technologies increase the demand for real-time, autonomous decision-making tools.
Cedar News
7 days ago
- Science
- Cedar News
Video: Massive Fire Erupts Inside Mysterious Area 51 Near Rachel, Nevada
A massive fire broke out today inside the highly secretive Area 51, located in the Nevada desert near the small town of Rachel. The blaze was captured live from a private property adjacent to the restricted military zone. Thick flames and smoke were seen rising from within the classified area, raising questions about the cause and extent of the fire. So far, there has been no official statement from the U.S. Department of Defense regarding the incident. Area 51 is known for its extreme secrecy and has long been associated with experimental aircraft testing and UFO-related theories. Authorities and observers are closely monitoring the situation as social media buzzes with speculation about what caused the blaze and its possible implications.
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First Post
16-07-2025
- Business
- First Post
Apple signs $500 rare earth deal with Pentagon-linked mine operator to weaken China grip
The backing from one of the world's most valuable companies comes after MP, which operates the only U.S. rare earths mine, last week agreed to a multibillion-dollar deal with the U.S. Department of Defense that will see the Pentagon become its largest shareholder read more Apple has signed a $500 million deal with MP Materials for rare earth magnets, mitigating supply risks after China curbed exports this year and representing a major coup for MP that sent its shares soaring by a fifth. The backing from one of the world's most valuable companies comes after MP, which operates the only U.S. rare earths mine, last week agreed to a multibillion-dollar deal with the U.S. Department of Defense that will see the Pentagon become its largest shareholder. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Las Vegas-based company's stock price has nearly doubled since the government deal was announced. It has had remarkable turnaround since last year when it contemplated merging with an Australian rival as profits plunged in what CEO Jim Litinsky called a 'very frustrating' pricing environment for rare earths. The deal, announced on Tuesday, guarantees Apple a steady flow of rare earth magnets free from China - the world's largest producer. For Apple, the cost to support U.S. magnet production pales in comparison to the long-term risk that it could lose access entirely to the critical components, analysts said. 'We're in an era where executives are willing to pay a significant premium for a reliable supply chain. They don't want stoppage,' said Gracelin Baskaran, director of the critical minerals security program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. China placed export restrictions on rare earths in April in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Though the U.S. and China reached a deal in June that has resolved much of the rare earth dispute, broader trade tensions continue to underscore demand for non-Chinese supply. As part of the agreement, Apple will prepay MP $200 million for a supply of magnets slated to begin in 2027. The companies did not disclose the length of the deal nor the volumes of magnets to be provided. The agreement calls for magnets produced from recycled material, in keeping with Apple's long-standing goal of ending its reliance on the mining industry. They will be produced at MP's Fort Worth, Texas, facility using magnets recycled at MP's Mountain Pass, California, mining complex. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Rare earth materials are essential for making advanced technology, and this partnership will help strengthen the supply of these vital materials here in the United States,' Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement. Bob O'Donnell, president at market research firm TECHnalysis Research, said Tuesday's move 'makes complete sense' given that Apple requires significant amounts of rare earth magnets for its devices. 'Plus, by focusing on a U.S.-based supplier, it does help position Apple more positively in Washington,' he said. Apple, which said the deal is part of its $500 billion four-year investment commitment to the U.S., has faced threats from Trump over iPhones not made in the U.S. But many analysts have said making the iPhone in the U.S. is not possible, given labor costs and the existing smartphone supply chain. Apple did not disclose which devices in which it will use the magnets. MP said the deal will supply magnets for hundreds of millions of devices, which would constitute a significant share of any of Apple's product lines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD MP produces mined and processed rare earths and has said it expects to start commercial magnet production in its Texas facility by the end of this year. Last week's deal between MP and the U.S. government includes a price floor for rare earths designed to spur investment in domestic mines and processing plants, which has been lagging partly due to low prices set in China. The company also has magnet supply deals with General Motors and Germany's Vacuumschmelze. Rare earths are a group of 17 metals used to make magnets that turn power into motion, including the devices that make cell phones vibrate. They are also used in weapons, electric vehicles and many other electronics.
Japan Today
14-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
Musk's xAI signs Pentagon deal for contentious Grok chatbot
Elon Musk's xAI, which features a large language model that has spewed Hitler-supporting rhetoric and antisemitic tropes, said Monday it has signed a deal to provide its services to the U.S. Department of Defense. Launched at the end of 2023, Grok has rarely been out of the headlines for its offensive gaffes, and will now offer its services as "Grok for Government." 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 added. After an update on July 7, the chatbot praised Adolf Hitler in some responses, denounced on X "anti-white hate", and described Jewish representation in Hollywood as "disproportionate." xAI apologized on Saturday for extremist and offensive messages, and said it had corrected the instructions that led to the incidents. The new version of the chatbot, Grok 4, presented on Wednesday, consulted Musk's positions on some questions it was asked before responding, an AFP correspondent saw. The contract between xAI and the Department of Defense comes even as Musk and President Donald Trump are locked in a bitter feud. The two men became close during Trump's latest run for the presidency and, following the inauguration, the Republican billionaire entrusted Musk with managing the new agency known as DOGE to slash the government by firing tens of thousands of civil servants. 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. The government and the defense sector are considered a potential growth driver for AI giants. Meta has partnered with the start-up Anduril to develop virtual reality headsets for soldiers and law enforcement, while in June OpenAI secured a contract to provide AI services to the U.S. military. © 2025 AFP
