Pentagon names former DOGE employee Gavin Kliger as new chief data officer (defensescoop.com)

The Pentagon has appointed Gavin Kliger as its new chief data officer to spearhead the Department of Defense’s (DOD) initiatives in artificial intelligence. With a background in the Defense Department's cost-cutting measures and previous experience at Databricks, Kliger aims to enhance the U.S. military's AI capabilities and maintain its competitive edge in global military AI. His role will involve overseeing the implementation of AI projects, including the significant GenAI.mil platform and the Drone Dominance Program, as he collaborates with advanced AI labs to integrate private sector innovations into military operations. Kliger's appointment is particularly notable amid ongoing tensions between the Pentagon and AI companies like Anthropic, which are concerned about ethical implications surrounding their technologies, especially in relation to autonomous weapons and surveillance. As Kliger commits to accelerating AI integration with a sense of "wartime urgency," his leadership will be pivotal in navigating these complex dynamics while ensuring that cutting-edge technology translates into strategic advantages for U.S. forces. His efforts reflect a broader push within the military to harness AI for operational superiority during a critical period of technological advancement and geopolitical rivalry.