In early March, Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg designated Palantir's Maven Smart System (MSS) as a formal program of record. MSS uses machine learning to analyze data streams from satellites, drones, and radar to support battlefield intelligence. The designation moves MSS from experimental use to a standardized, long-term fixture in U.S. military operations. It also locks in multi-year funding for MSS across battlefield deployments. The decision highlights the growing role of data-driven AI in U.S. defense and its implications for procurement and operations.

• Designate MSS as a formal program of record.
• Transition MSS from experimental to standardized, long-term use.
• Lock in multi-year funding for battlefield deployments.
• Integrate MSS data streams from satellites, drones, and radar into operations.
• Signal a broader shift toward data-driven AI in defense.

Eff.org and other tech nonprofits argue federal agencies should not use procurement rules to undermine AI trust and safety. The dispute between the Department of Defense and Anthropic over potential punishment for refusing to allow technology to be used for mass surveillance has spurred proposals to rewrite procurement rules. The article contends that procurement can and should reflect public policy, guiding federal spending toward projects that serve the public interest, including open-source software development. Rewriting rules could prevent future conflicts around AI policy and safety. The piece frames procurement as a tool to promote openness and trustworthy AI.

• Advise agencies to reform procurement to safeguard safety and trust in AI.
• Emphasize aligning spending with public-interest goals.
• Support development of open-source software.
• Warn against using procurement to undermine AI safeguards.

Hailo has expanded its Hailo-8 AI Accelerator portfolio to deliver high performance for a diverse range of edge AI applications. The new lineup targets edge use cases, enabling faster in-device inference. The portfolio aims to balance power, latency, and throughput across edge devices. The expansion broadens potential applications in industrial automation, robotics, and IoT. The move underscores ongoing growth of specialized hardware for edge AI.

• Expand the portfolio to cover more edge AI workloads.
• Improve high-performance inference on edge devices.
• Address diverse edge application requirements.
• Strengthen Hailo's position in the edge AI market.