Sep 30, 2026, 10:30 PM UTC

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a series of new military initiatives and commands during an address to junior officers and enlisted personnel. Among the unveiled projects is a new warfare research unit tasked with studying future military strategies and technology.

The unit will be led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, defense entrepreneur and Anduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey, and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Hegseth's speech focused on modernizing military operations and restructuring research efforts.

Sources: Bloomberg

US Representative Madeleine Dean has called on the federal government to establish clear guardrails for artificial intelligence, arguing that geopolitical competition with China should not preclude domestic oversight. Speaking on Bloomberg’s "Balance of Power," the Pennsylvania Democrat stated that federal intervention remains necessary to regulate emerging technologies safely and effectively. Turning to foreign affairs, Dean also criticized President Donald Trump’s strategy regarding Iran. She urged the administration to recruit experienced diplomats to help negotiate a resolution to the ongoing middle eastern hostilities.

Sources: Bloomberg.

Scale AI Chief Executive Officer Francis deSouza has called for an evidence-based approach to artificial intelligence development, arguing that public debate should rely on comprehensive testing rather than speculation or emotion. In an interview with Bloomberg, deSouza emphasized that rigorous evaluations are essential to determine both the capabilities and potential risks of AI systems before establishing mitigation strategies or deciding whether to alter the pace of development. He further noted that these assessments must encompass both proprietary frontier models and accessible open-weight models. By prioritizing concrete empirical data over speculative fears or overoptimistic hopes, deSouza suggested that policymakers and industry leaders can better navigate safety concerns while fostering technical innovation.

Sources: Bloomberg