U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth Meets Elon Musk to Discuss AI in Military Applications
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Pentagon chief Hegseth meets Musk for second time at Pentagon
WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met billionaire Elon Musk at the Pentagon on Wednesday, officials said, the second known time the close ally of President Donald Trump has visited the Pentagon. "The Secretary met with Elon Musk and other members of the X AI team this morning," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement. "The Department of Defense is committed to engaging with AI industry CEOs to ensure our warfighters are equipped to face 21st century threats," Parnell added. Earlier on Wednesday, Hegseth's pastor, Brooks Potteiger, had said on X: "It's not everyday you walk past Elon Musk en route to preach." Potteiger spoke at a Christian prayer service at the Pentagon on Wednesday. Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Chris Reese Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:United StatesADAS, AV & SafetySustainable & EV Supply Chain
[2]
Pentagon Chief Hegseth Meets Musk for Second Time at Pentagon
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met billionaire Elon Musk at the Pentagon on Wednesday, officials said, the second known time the close ally of President Donald Trump has visited the Pentagon. "The Secretary met with Elon Musk and other members of the X AI team this morning," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement. "The Department of Defense is committed to engaging with AI industry CEOs to ensure our warfighters are equipped to face 21st century threats," Parnell added. Earlier on Wednesday, Hegseth's pastor, Brooks Potteiger, had said on X: "It's not everyday you walk past Elon Musk en route to preach." Potteiger spoke at a Christian prayer service at the Pentagon on Wednesday. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Chris Reese)
[3]
Pentagon chief Hegseth meets Musk for second time at Pentagon
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met billionaire Elon Musk at the Pentagon on Wednesday, officials said, the second known time the close ally of President Donald Trump has visited the Pentagon. "The Secretary met with Elon Musk and other members of the X AI team this morning," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement. "The Department of Defense is committed to engaging with AI industry CEOs to ensure our warfighters are equipped to face 21st century threats," Parnell added. Earlier on Wednesday, Hegseth's pastor, Brooks Potteiger, had said on X: "It's not everyday you walk past Elon Musk en route to preach." Potteiger spoke at a Christian prayer service at the Pentagon on Wednesday. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Chris Reese)
[4]
US Defense Secretary Hegseth meets Musk for second time at Pentagon
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met billionaire Elon Musk at the Pentagon on Wednesday, officials said, the second known time the close ally of President Donald Trump has visited the department's headquarters. In March, Musk, whose businesses have a number of Defense Department contracts, was granted an unprecedented top-level meeting at the Pentagon. "The Secretary met with Elon Musk and other members of the X AI team this morning," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement. "The Department of Defense is committed to engaging with AI industry CEOs to ensure our warfighters are equipped to face 21st century threats," Parnell added. The meeting was first reported by Reuters. Earlier on Wednesday, Hegseth's pastor, Brooks Potteiger, had said on X: "It's not everyday you walk past Elon Musk en route to preach." Potteiger spoke at a Christian prayer service at the Pentagon on Wednesday. Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ahead of his first meeting in March, there was a media report that Musk would be briefed on secret war plans for China, something Musk, Trump and others denied. Musk, at the time, called the report "pure propaganda" and urged legal action against leakers. Musk's businesses Starlink and SpaceX already have a number of Pentagon contracts, raising questions about conflicts of interest as he advocates for innovation and re-prioritization of Pentagon spending to find efficiencies. Trump's planned Golden Dome missile defense shield, which would require hundreds of sensors and other satellites to keep watch for incoming ballistic missiles, would be a natural fit for SpaceX and its Starlink unit. The opportunities for his companies, SpaceX in particular, under Trump could drive billions of dollars of revenue to his firms. The White House has previously said Musk will recuse himself if any conflicts of interest arise between his business dealings and his role in cutting federal government spending. Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has made cuts across the U.S. government, including at the Pentagon. Musk said on Tuesday he will cut his political spending substantially, the latest public signal that he is shifting his attention back to his business empire amid growing investor concerns. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Chris Reese and Jamie Freed)
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a second meeting with Elon Musk and his X AI team at the Pentagon, highlighting the growing importance of AI in national defense strategies.
Pentagon Hosts Second Meeting with Elon Musk on AI
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with billionaire Elon Musk and members of his X AI team at the Pentagon on Wednesday, marking their second known encounter at the Department of Defense headquarters 1. This meeting underscores the growing importance of artificial intelligence in national defense strategies and the Pentagon's efforts to engage with industry leaders in the field.
Source: Reuters
DoD's Commitment to AI Integration
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized the significance of the meeting, stating, "The Department of Defense is committed to engaging with AI industry CEOs to ensure our warfighters are equipped to face 21st century threats" 2. This statement reflects the DoD's recognition of AI's potential to revolutionize military capabilities and its proactive approach to collaborating with private sector innovators.
Musk's Expanding Influence in Defense
Elon Musk's companies, including SpaceX and Starlink, already hold several Pentagon contracts, which has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest 4. The billionaire's involvement in government efficiency initiatives and his role in cutting federal spending have further complicated these concerns. The White House has previously stated that Musk would recuse himself if any conflicts arise between his business dealings and his role in government spending cuts.
Implications for Future Defense Projects
The meeting comes at a time when the Trump administration is planning ambitious defense projects, such as the Golden Dome missile defense shield. This initiative, which would require hundreds of sensors and satellites, could potentially benefit Musk's companies, particularly SpaceX and its Starlink division 4. The opportunities presented by such projects could drive billions of dollars in revenue to Musk's firms.
Transparency and Public Interest
The high-profile nature of these meetings has not gone unnoticed. In March, when Musk was granted an unprecedented top-level meeting at the Pentagon, rumors circulated about potential briefings on secret war plans for China. Musk vehemently denied these claims, calling them "pure propaganda" and urging legal action against leakers 4.
Balancing Business and Government Roles
As Musk continues to navigate his dual roles in the private sector and government advisory positions, he has recently announced plans to cut his political spending substantially 4. This decision may be an attempt to address growing investor concerns and shift focus back to his business empire. However, the ongoing collaboration between Musk's AI initiatives and the Department of Defense suggests that his influence in shaping future military technologies remains significant.
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