Latest news with #DARPA
TechCrunch
19 hours ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
National security meets next-gen tech at Disrupt 2025 AI Defense panel
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is where breakthrough ideas meet the real-world challenges that define the future — and with over 10,000 startup and VC leaders converging, there's no better place to have the hard conversations. One of the most urgent? How artificial intelligence is reshaping national defense, security, and critical infrastructure in real time. Enter AI Defense, a can't-miss panel discussion taking place on one of the two AI Stages, where leaders from government, venture, and the armed services will explore the high-stakes collision of innovation and national security. Why this conversation matters now With AI evolving at a blistering pace, the stakes for defense innovation have never been higher. From autonomous systems and decision intelligence to cybersecurity and battlefield readiness, the U.S. defense and intelligence communities are racing to build smarter, more adaptive technologies — without compromising ethics, oversight, or safety. This panel explores the delicate balance between intelligence and control, the role of startups in defense innovation, and the multi-billion-dollar opportunities emerging at the intersection of national security and AI. If your startup touches defense, government, cybersecurity, or AI infrastructure, this is a conversation you can't afford to miss. Where defense, intelligence, and innovation converge Onstage, you'll hear from Dr. Kathleen Fisher, Director of the Information Innovation Office at DARPA, who is leading the charge on tech that gives the U.S. and its allies an edge in the information wars of the 21st century. With a career that spans AT&T Labs and academia at Tufts University, Fisher blends research credibility with strategic vision, and she's shaping the next generation of defense-grade AI. Joining the panel is Sri Chandrasekar, Managing Partner at Point72 Ventures, and formerly a leader at In-Q-Tel, the CIA's strategic investment arm. Chandrasekar knows how to spot frontier tech that moves the needle, and he's built investment frameworks to support some of the intelligence community's toughest missions. Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW Rounding out the panel is Justin Fanelli, Chief Technology Officer for the Department of the Navy. Fanelli lives at the intersection of cybersecurity, innovation, and adoption, driving digital transformation across one of the most complex organizations in government. From his DARPA Service Chiefs Fellowship to his nationally recognized work in defense health and command systems, Fanelli brings the boots-on-the-ground perspective to how defense is done in the age of AI. Catch it live at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 This AI Defense panel takes place on the AI Stage. Exact session time coming soon — but don't wait to claim your pass. TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 runs October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Join 10,000+ startup and VC leaders for three days of conversations and connections that define what's next. Grab your pass now before prices increase after July.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Did the Defense Dept. cancel a grant to Harvard, then pay it anyway?
A new court filing Tuesday shed some light on an unusual wrinkle in the U.S. government's fight with Harvard University. Harvard previously claimed the U.S. Department of Defense had terminated a $3.4 million grant for important research into biological threats, despite pleas from an official to maintain the grant for national security purposes — but then asked for work to continue and paid the grant anyway. A Defense Department official issued a court statement this week saying the grant — supporting research for the 'AMPHORA' program, which stands for Assured Microbial Preservation in Harsh or Remote Areas — wasn't canceled after all. That's even though it was included in a list of terminated Harvard grants released in May. Efstathia Fragogiannis is director of the contracts management office with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the Department of Defense. Fragogiannis wrote that in the days following a May 12 letter to Harvard announcing the cancellation of that grant and many others, DARPA officials sought and received an exemption for the grant for reasons of national security. 'On May 21, 2025, May 22, 2025, and June 27, 2025, DARPA informed Harvard via email that the agreement remains active and that it should continue to perform work on the AMPHORA project,' Fragogiannis wrote. 'As such, Harvard has continued to perform work pursuant to that agreement, for which DARPA has paid, including the July 8, 2025, payment for work performed from May 1 to 31.' Harvard had claimed the request for continued work and the payment it received were evidence that 'reinforces' its court argument that 'the government's categorical terminations of research funding were arbitrary and capricious.' Harvard had said in a court filing they inquired with the federal government about whether the AMPHORA grant is in fact still active, but they haven't received a response. In a filing released Tuesday, the government argued that 'Harvard's grants were ultimately terminated because of Harvard's categorical refusal to respond to the Government's concerns' over antisemitism. A Harvard University spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The court filings come as part of an ongoing lawsuit in which Harvard disputes cancellation of billions of dollars of funding by the U.S. government. It's one of two lawsuits the university has against the Trump administration, the other relating to its ability to accept foreign students. More Harvard University news Trump admin invokes Civil Rights Act in argument for Harvard funding cuts Harvard extends hiring freeze, says Trump actions could cost school $1B a year Trump admin halted Harvard grant, but Defense Dept. still paid it, court docs say A reckoning: Trump's attacks are inspiring self-reflection in higher ed Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump admin halted Harvard grant, but Defense Dept. still paid it, court docs say
An unnamed Department of Defense official previously 'pleaded' with her superiors to keep paying Harvard University for a particular national security grant related to biological threats. And according to court documents, they have — despite the grant's termination. In a July 11 filing from one of its federal lawsuits against the Trump administration, Harvard informed the court it had received payment from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) — part of the Department of Defense — for the 'AMPHORA' program, which stands for Assured Microbial Preservation in Harsh or Remote Areas. With emerging infectious disease hotspots expected to increase globally within the next 50 years, the program seeks to develop a system without refrigeration 'that can preserve any microbe (bacteria, fungus, virus) from any sample, environment, or clinical setting, increasing the DoD's ability to surveil for emerging threats and protect force health and readiness,' according to the agency's website. Despite the grant being listed as terminated beginning May 12, DARPA has since asked Harvard's AMPHORA researchers to continue testing samples and to update on the project's progress, the court documents state. Then on July 8, the government paid Harvard approximately $373,000 on the AMPHORA grant for work conducted by its scientists May 1-31. Read more: Trump admin renews demand for Harvard foreign student info: 'We tried to do things the easy way' According to Harvard, the payment 'reinforces' its court argument that 'the government's categorical terminations of research funding were arbitrary and capricious.' 'This new evidence provides further support for Harvard's arguments,' Harvard wrote in its filing last week. Earlier court filings in Harvard's lawsuit disclosed that an unidentified Defense Department official had 'pleaded' with her superiors in the Pentagon not to cancel Harvard's AMPHORA grant because doing so could pose 'grave and immediate harm to national security.' The official said Harvard was the top-performing team in the AMPHORA program, which involves several teams from varying research institutions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly directed the cancellation of the military grants, and the notification stated the AMPHORA grant 'no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities.' Harvard has inquired with the federal government about whether the AMPHORA grant is in fact still active, but they haven't received a response, they wrote. A spokesperson for the Department of Defense said the agency does not comment on ongoing litigation. More Harvard University news A reckoning: Trump's attacks are inspiring self-reflection in higher ed Harvard continues dismantling its DEI offices amid Trump attacks Trump admin renews demand for Harvard foreign student info: 'We tried to do things the easy way' Trump admin threatens Harvard's accreditation over antisemitism response Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Northrop Grumman's Space Mechanic Clears Milestone in DARPA-Backed Satellite Servicing Program
Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) is one of the best space stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On June 5, 2025, Northrop Grumman's SpaceLogistics division successfully integrated a U.S. Naval Research Laboratory–developed robotics payload, complete with dual arms and advanced electronics, onto its Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) spacecraft bus at the Dulles, Virginia facility. This isn't just engineering flex; it's a milestone on the DARPA-led Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) program. The MRV is being primed to inspect, repair, relocate, and even attach life-extension pods to GEO satellites once it launches. This matters because commercial satellite-servicing in GEO is no longer sci-fi, it's becoming operational. By enabling satellite longevity and in-orbit upgrades, Northrop positions itself at the center of a burgeoning on-orbit economy. Hedge funds love companies unlocking recurring revenue via infrastructure and tech leadership, and this is textbook. In short, NOC is not just building rockets and fighter jets. It's building a space 'mechanic' that makes revenue from fixing multi-hundred‑million‑dollar assets as they orbit 22,000 miles from Earth. This robotics integration milestone proves they're ready to launch that future. Northrop Grumman is a diversified aerospace and defense powerhouse, designing advanced military aircraft, missile systems, satellites. Its SpaceLogistics arm is pioneering commercial on‑orbit servicing with MRV, pushing the boundary of what's possible in space infrastructure. While we acknowledge the potential of NOC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Northrop Grumman's Space Mechanic Clears Milestone in DARPA-Backed Satellite Servicing Program
Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) is one of the best space stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On June 5, 2025, Northrop Grumman's SpaceLogistics division successfully integrated a U.S. Naval Research Laboratory–developed robotics payload, complete with dual arms and advanced electronics, onto its Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) spacecraft bus at the Dulles, Virginia facility. This isn't just engineering flex; it's a milestone on the DARPA-led Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) program. The MRV is being primed to inspect, repair, relocate, and even attach life-extension pods to GEO satellites once it launches. This matters because commercial satellite-servicing in GEO is no longer sci-fi, it's becoming operational. By enabling satellite longevity and in-orbit upgrades, Northrop positions itself at the center of a burgeoning on-orbit economy. Hedge funds love companies unlocking recurring revenue via infrastructure and tech leadership, and this is textbook. In short, NOC is not just building rockets and fighter jets. It's building a space 'mechanic' that makes revenue from fixing multi-hundred‑million‑dollar assets as they orbit 22,000 miles from Earth. This robotics integration milestone proves they're ready to launch that future. Northrop Grumman is a diversified aerospace and defense powerhouse, designing advanced military aircraft, missile systems, satellites. Its SpaceLogistics arm is pioneering commercial on‑orbit servicing with MRV, pushing the boundary of what's possible in space infrastructure. While we acknowledge the potential of NOC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
