Author: Frank Salvato

A growing number of state prison systems are embracing artificial intelligence and advanced data tools to address one of the most persistent problems in criminal justice: recidivism. According to recent reporting, 19 state prison systems are now using technology developed by Recidiviz, a nonprofit organization that consolidates fragmented corrections data and applies AI-assisted tools to help prison officials identify rehabilitation opportunities, improve case management, and better prepare inmates for reentry into society. Supporters argue that better data and predictive insights can reduce repeat offenses, improve public safety, and save taxpayers money. Skeptics, however, continue to raise concerns about transparency, accountability,…

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the war in Ukraine from a conflict driven primarily by manpower and conventional weapons into one increasingly defined by data, automation, and machine-speed decision-making. Recent reporting indicates that AI-enabled systems are shortening the time between identifying a target and striking it, while advanced drone networks, commercial satellite intelligence, and battlefield analytics are giving Ukrainian forces new tools to offset Russia’s larger population and military resources. The conflict is becoming a real-world laboratory for the future of warfare, where technological superiority may prove as important as troop strength. From a conservative perspective, Ukraine’s experience underscores a…

Google is moving aggressively to challenge Nvidia’s dominance in artificial intelligence hardware by expanding the commercial reach of its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and adopting many of the financing and ecosystem-building strategies that helped Nvidia become the dominant force in AI computing. The company is backing large-scale data-center projects, providing financial guarantees, investing in cloud infrastructure partnerships, and marketing specialized AI chips directly to customers. While Nvidia still controls the overwhelming majority of the AI accelerator market through its GPUs and software ecosystem, Google’s vast financial resources, growing TPU adoption, and willingness to subsidize infrastructure development signal that the AI…

A sweeping cybersecurity investigation has revealed that millions of consumer devices inside American homes—including low-cost streaming boxes, digital picture frames, Android-based electronics, and compromised mobile applications—have been quietly transformed into “residential proxy” networks that allow cybercriminals and state-sponsored hackers to route internet traffic through unsuspecting U.S. households. The discovery began after investigators traced suspicious activity linked to a Russian intelligence-backed hacking operation and ultimately uncovered a vast infrastructure that has reportedly involved hundreds of thousands of residential IP addresses and potentially tens of millions of infected devices. Security researchers warn that these networks help foreign adversaries conceal their identities while…

Federal energy regulators have launched a sweeping effort to modernize transmission-grid rules in response to the explosive growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure and the unprecedented electricity demands of large-scale data centers. Rather than imposing a single national standard, regulators directed regional grid operators to justify or revise existing interconnection policies, with the goal of accelerating AI-related development while protecting consumers from higher utility costs and preserving grid reliability. The move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader strategy of strengthening America’s competitive position against China in the race for AI leadership, while addressing mounting concerns that existing power-grid regulations are ill-equipped…

A potentially transformative shift in battery technology is emerging through the use of 3D printing, allowing batteries to be integrated directly into the structure of devices rather than being confined to traditional cylindrical or pouch-shaped cells. The technology promises lighter consumer electronics, longer-range drones, improved military systems, and eventually more efficient electric vehicles. Several startups are pursuing different approaches, from printing complete battery systems into available space within products to streamlining battery manufacturing by eliminating energy-intensive production steps. While commercialization remains in its early stages and widespread adoption may still be years away, defense and aerospace applications are becoming key…

Washington is moving fast on artificial intelligence regulation—but not necessarily in the right direction. What’s emerging from federal agencies and legislative proposals is a familiar pattern: a sprawling, bureaucratic response to a rapidly evolving technology, heavy on compliance frameworks and light on actual risk mitigation. The result is a regulatory environment that may look tough on paper but does little to address the real dangers already unfolding inside American enterprises. Meanwhile, the most pressing threats—shadow AI usage, uncontrolled agentic systems, and preventable operational failures—are accelerating largely unchecked. The core problem isn’t that policymakers are paying attention to AI. It’s how…

Waymo has announced a recall affecting 3,871 of its fifth-generation robotaxis after multiple incidents in Arizona and California where autonomous vehicles failed to properly recognize freeway closure signs and active construction zones, resulting in cars entering restricted work areas. Federal regulators said the software could misinterpret or deprioritize construction-related hazards, creating a potential crash risk. Although no injuries or collisions were reported, the incidents prompted Waymo to voluntarily restrict freeway operations while deploying software updates designed to improve construction-zone detection and response. The recall marks the company’s second major software-related recall in just over a month and adds to growing…

A final investigative report has concluded that the fatal implosion of OceanGate’s Titan submersible during its June 2023 expedition to the Titanic wreck was caused by a combination of flawed engineering, inadequate testing, structural defects in the carbon-fiber pressure hull, and a corporate culture that discounted safety concerns. Investigators determined that OceanGate failed to validate the true strength and durability of the vessel’s carbon-fiber hull, did not follow accepted engineering standards, and continued operating the experimental craft despite warning signs of structural degradation. The findings also highlighted regulatory gaps that allowed the uncertified submersible to conduct deep-ocean missions without meaningful…

The United States is increasingly focused on the national security and economic risks associated with relying heavily on overseas semiconductor production, particularly in Taiwan, for the advanced chips that power artificial intelligence, defense systems, telecommunications networks, and modern consumer technology. Recent reporting indicates growing concern among U.S. policymakers that any disruption to foreign chip production—whether from geopolitical conflict, Chinese aggression, supply-chain instability, or industrial espionage—could severely impact the American economy and military readiness. At the same time, efforts are underway to expand domestic manufacturing capacity through major investments, new fabrication facilities, and tighter controls on technology transfers to strategic competitors.…