The Pentagon wants $30 million to build an AI-powered lie detector

The US Department of Defense has requested $30.3 million over the next five years to develop an advanced form of lie detector. The program, known as "Polygraph+" or "Polygraph Next," focuses on AI and machine learning scoring algorithms alongside "standoff sensing," a technique that allows for physiological readings without physical attachments. According to budget documents, the project aims to modernize federal credibility assessment technologies to improve accuracy. The initiative comes amid heightened internal tensions, as the Pentagon has increasingly utilized polygraphs to identify sources of alleged leaks regarding US weapons stockpiles. Managed by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), the technology is intended for vetting prospective employees and detecting insider threats. While the specific technologies remain undisclosed, the project is currently awaiting Congressional approval.