Tech Today: Defense Deals, Legal Battles, and the Future of Transit
From the high-stakes halls of the Pentagon to the futuristic skies of New York City, here is the latest in technology and innovation.
The Pentagon’s New AI Partnerships
The Pentagon says it has now entered into agreements with eight of the world’s leading artificial intelligence companies, including SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, NVIDIA, Reflection, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Oracle, to deploy their advanced AI capabilities on the Department’s classified networks for operational use. Interestingly, that list did not include Anthropic, which filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon after the Secretary of Defense ordered all government agencies to immediately stop using Anthropic tools.
Fintech and Everyday Payments
Soon there will be a new way to pay for items on your phone. Cash App announced that they are testing the “Nearby Payment” option, which allows people nearby to pay you faster. In the example they shared, it works similar to a Bluetooth feature; you can just hold up your phone to another person’s phone to share the payment. They say it’s currently being tested in Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
A Leap Forward for Air Taxis
Flying air taxis took one step closer to being reality above the skies of New York City. Joby Aviation recently completed the first-ever point-to-point eVTOL flight in NYC history. Eric Allison, Joby’s Chief Product officer, said it’s a critical proof of concept, with the company targeting passenger flights as soon as the second half of 2026.
Regional Tech Growth & SpaceX
According to the Baltimore Sun, Westminster’s Mayor says SpaceX, which is owned by Elon Musk, purchased a property at 1121 Independence Way. Several job opportunities for the location have already been posted.
The AI Legal Showdown
There’s a legal battle brewing between Elon Musk, the owner of ‘X’, and Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. Jury selection began this week for a civil lawsuit filed by Musk, accusing Altman and other top leaders of double-crossing him by straying away from the San Francisco company’s founding mission. His main issue, according to the suit and his posts on ‘X’, is that they shifted to a moneymaking model behind his back.
Innovation in the Nation’s Capital
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AI Expo DC: We’re learning more about the AI Expo coming up in D.C. starting next Thursday. The free, three-day event (May 7th – May 9th) now has over 150 confirmed speakers, including military commanders, and will feature live tech demonstrations, a drone area, and a robot cage.
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Self-Driving Taxis: This week also featured a deeper dive into new legal efforts to get self-driving taxis here in the District. I sat down with Councilmember Charles Allen to find out how the plan could benefit the city financially.
