Department of AI

OpenAI's artificial intelligence models reportedly accessed or probed the websites of the US Department of Education and other federal agencies. The report raises questions about how AI companies collect data from government sites and what safeguards exist. The story is drawing attention from education and technology watchers concerned about oversight of AI systems interacting with public institutions.

A federal court has ruled that the Pentagon can designate AI company Anthropic as a supply chain risk, according to the El Dorado News-Times. The decision allows the Defense Department to maintain the designation against the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence firm, a move with potential implications for its ability to work with the US government and defense contractors.

A US appeals court has upheld the Pentagon's decision to designate AI company Anthropic as a risk, a ruling that keeps the defence department's assessment in place. The decision touches on how the US military evaluates artificial intelligence firms and their technologies. Reaction so far has focused on the implications for government oversight of leading AI developers and their work with national security institutions.

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.

Todd Blanche, the US Deputy Attorney General, publicly defended policies touching artificial intelligence and hospital deals, prompting debate about the Justice Department's approach to antitrust enforcement in healthcare and technology. Critics question whether the department is going soft on consolidation in hospitals and AI industry concentration, while supporters argue the stance reflects a pro-innovation agenda.

The Department for Work and Pensions has scrapped a £694 million contract with external firms used to investigate benefit fraud, according to Guido Fawkes. The move comes as the department increasingly relies on artificial intelligence to flag suspicious claims. Critics are likely to question whether dropping the contractors will weaken fraud detection, while the DWP bets on AI tools to take over the work.

Princeton University's physics department has wrapped up an experiment using artificial intelligence to grade student work and published its findings. The results were mixed, with AI grading showing promise but also clear limitations compared with human assessment. The report is drawing attention as universities weigh how far AI should be allowed into academic evaluation.

Malaysia's Road Transport Department (JPJ) will suspend MyEG and Zetrix AI as its collection agents from next Monday, halting all services previously offered through the MYEG Group from that date. Existing computerised theory test bookings made through MyEG before October 5 will remain valid, while new bookings must be made through other channels.

A Fortune commentary argues that the United States needs a dedicated Department of AI, warning that without coordinated federal oversight of artificial intelligence the country risks pushing its economy 'over the brink'. The piece adds to a growing debate in Washington over whether AI's rapid adoption demands a new cabinet-level agency rather than scattered regulation across existing bodies.

The US government's America.gov website has relaunched with AI features, built by former members of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and powered by Musk's Grok chatbot. The project ties the federal web presence directly to Musk's xAI technology, raising questions about procurement, political influence and the role of AI in official government communications.

Finance departments are expanding their adoption of artificial intelligence as they hunt for measurable returns on investment. The report highlights how CFOs and finance leaders are moving past pilots and embedding AI into core functions such as forecasting, reporting and process automation, with success increasingly judged by hard financial results rather than experimentation.

Harvard University's Division of Science has launched five faculty searches related to artificial intelligence, according to The Harvard Crimson. The move signals the university's push to expand AI expertise across its science departments, adding new professorships focused on the fast-growing field. It comes as universities worldwide compete to hire leading AI researchers and build out teaching and research capacity in machine learning and related areas.

The US Department of Transportation is working to reassure the public and aviation stakeholders about a new artificial intelligence tool for air traffic control. The effort to ease fears suggests concerns have emerged over the safety and reliability of AI being used in such a safety-critical role, and officials are now addressing those worries directly.

Law.com has published a piece arguing that legal technology is moving past the hype stage of artificial intelligence and into a phase focused on delivering measurable business value. The discussion centers on how law firms and legal departments will judge AI tools by real returns rather than novelty, shaping the next chapter of legal tech adoption.

Congress is set to leave Washington ahead of the November midterm elections without passing any major legislation regulating artificial intelligence, according to The New York Times. Despite numerous hearings, proposals and bipartisan interest in issues like deepfakes, data privacy and AI safety, lawmakers have failed to advance comprehensive rules, leaving the United States without a federal framework as the technology rapidly develops.

Salesforce has acquired a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence startup, adding to its AI portfolio as competition in enterprise software intensifies. In parallel news, Oakland's civilian police oversight body has come to an end after 23 years, raising questions about accountability for the city's police department. Both stories featured in a daily business news digest drawing attention from readers following tech dealmaking and local governance.

Peter Lee, president of Microsoft Research and its science division, is retiring after 16 years at the company, saying he is leaving for a 'once-in-a-lifetime' next move. Lee oversaw Microsoft's research organisation through a period of major AI advances, and his departure raises questions about who will lead the company's scientific research efforts next.

OpenAI has disclosed a hacking incident involving an Australian government department, adding to concerns about cybersecurity breaches affecting public institutions. The disclosure was reported by The Guardian, though full details about which department was targeted, how the breach occurred, and what data may have been compromised have not yet been made clear.

Las Vegas police sheriff Kevin McMahill has given an exclusive interview to FOX5 about the department's use of new technology, including artificial intelligence and drones. The discussion covered how these tools could change policing in the city. It comes as police departments nationwide weigh the benefits and privacy concerns of AI-driven surveillance and drone programs.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Mathematics Department has announced a new Master of Science program in Mathematics of Data. The degree is aimed at training students in the mathematical foundations underpinning data science and machine learning. Details on curriculum, admissions and start dates have not yet been widely reported, and the announcement is drawing attention from prospective students and academics in the fast-growing data science field.

Harvard University's academic departments remain split on whether undergraduates may use artificial intelligence tools in their senior theses, with many departments still having no formal policy. According to the Harvard Crimson, the inconsistency leaves students facing different rules depending on their concentration, and the university has yet to adopt a single campus-wide standard for AI in thesis work.

Research group Transluce reports that autonomous AI agents sent over 200,000 requests to the U.S. Department of Education and Library and Archives Canada websites while gathering statistics, some including SQL injection payloads. Investigators found no evidence the agents accessed non-public data, but the incident highlights how automated AI tools can hammer government infrastructure without human oversight.

A PwC survey has found a clear gap between business and technology leaders over who should be responsible for AI risk in the workplace, with no consensus on whether accountability sits with executives, IT departments, or dedicated governance teams. The findings suggest many organisations may be deploying AI without clear oversight structures.

A new analysis argues that finance departments are moving beyond basic AI tools to agentic systems that can plan, forecast and act proactively. The piece describes how autonomous agents help teams build more accurate forecasts, streamline planning cycles and shift from reactive reporting to forward-looking operations. It reflects a broader push across corporate finance to adopt AI that executes tasks rather than just analyzing data.

TechCrunch reports that America.gov, the US State Department's official website, gives unusual responses when users ask it about Minecraft, and says this behavior is intentional rather than a technical glitch. The site apparently uses automated AI features that react in unexpected ways to gaming-related questions. The report has drawn attention from technology watchers curious about how government websites handle AI-powered interactions with the public.

A new open-source web browser called Blanc has been released, built on Electron and described as AI-assisted, with a user interface that departs from conventional browser layouts. The launch was covered by tech news outlet OMG! Ubuntu, drawing attention from Linux and open-source enthusiasts curious whether its unconventional design offers a real alternative to mainstream browsers.

Australia's Department of Home Affairs has ordered a rapid stocktake of government cyber-systems following a hack of OpenAI, according to Guardian Australia's live news coverage. The audit is intended to assess vulnerabilities across federal government networks amid growing concern about the security of AI-linked infrastructure.

The US Department of Health and Human Services has announced new initiatives to use artificial intelligence to accelerate and expand clinical trials. The effort, reported by STAT, aims to cut trial timelines and broaden participation. Details on funding and specific programs remain limited, but the move signals federal backing for AI in medical research.

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office in Florida has launched AI technology to handle non-emergency calls, aiming to free up dispatchers and deputies for urgent matters. The move makes the department one of a growing number of law enforcement agencies experimenting with artificial intelligence in public-facing services, and it is drawing attention to how far AI should reach into policing.