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Defense Launches 120-Day AI Weapons Study With Musk, Luckey

By Drooid · Oct 6, 2026, 5:51 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Project Meridian, a 120-day AI weaponry study.
Project leaders are former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey.
The Defense Department tasked MITRE Corporation with analysis and conflict-of-interest safeguards.
Professor Richard Painter warned the CEOs might promote products that benefit their own companies.
A GAO official said safeguards exist but the study’s recommendations must be closely scrutinized.

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Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Project Meridian, a 120-day AI weaponry study.
Project leaders are former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey.
The Defense Department tasked MITRE Corporation with analysis and conflict-of-interest safeguards.
Professor Richard Painter warned the CEOs might promote products that benefit their own companies.
A GAO official said safeguards exist but the study’s recommendations must be closely scrutinized.