Upcoming Innovation Summit, AI, Fundings: Elevation Semiconductor, Empower Equity
24 January 2024 - A Weekly Publication by New North Ventures
We are only a week away from hosting our highly anticipated Boston Innovation Summit in partnership with The Cipher Brief, where leading innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and defense experts will convene to discuss and drive solutions to critical issues at the intersection of national security and technology. We are honored to host an impressive group of speakers and panelists with deep experience and unique perspectives on a wide range of topics, recapped in part below. We will continue announcing the lineup over the next week.
Keynote: The Shock and Awe of Deepfakes
Ben Colman, CEO, Reality Defender
In the Era of AI and Cognitive Warfare
Dawn Meyerriecks, Former CIA Deputy Director for Science and Technology
Ian Allen, CEO of Civil Films
Amanda von Goetz, CEO of Fermata Discovery
Aaron Brown, Founder and Former Intel Executive
Macro Perspectives on Threat Landscape
Suzanne Kelly, Cipher Brief
Ralph Goff, Former CIA Executive
Kevin Higgins, Former Chief of Staff for Director of CIA
Startup Showcase: Innovating in the National Interest
Don't miss this opportunity to engage with industry leaders and gain valuable insights into the future of technology. Secure your spot, RSVP here.
OpenAI Changes Policy to Allow Military Applications
OpenAI has updated its usage policy to remove the prohibition on the use of its technologies for "military and warfare" purposes.
The company stated that the change was made to accommodate military customers and projects that align with its mission, emphasizing that its policy still prohibits the development and use of weapons.
The update aims to provide clarity and facilitate discussions on national security use cases, including collaboration with entities like DARPA to enhance cybersecurity tools for critical infrastructure.
The change, noticed by The Intercept on January 10, has raised questions about OpenAI's stance on military applications, with the company neither confirming nor denying its openness to serving military customers in response to inquiries.
What Sections 9 and 10 of the Executive Order on AI Mean for Government Contractors
President Biden signed an Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence on October 30, 2023.
Sections 9 and 10 of the EO are particularly relevant to government contractors.
Section 9 focuses on protecting privacy, requiring federal government action to mitigate AI-related threats to privacy. It involves steps such as identifying commercially available information (CAI) and promoting privacy-enhancing technologies (PETS).
Section 10 provides uniform direction for federal government agency efforts to develop and use AI. It includes the creation of an interagency council, guidance on agency AI governance, and initiatives to improve federal hiring of AI talent. Contractors are encouraged to align their AI products/services with Section 10 and the OMB guidance for potential advantages in government contracts.
Founded: 2021
Key People: CEO Ingyun Nam
Elevator Pitch: Energy-efficient, voltage power management alternative designed for the next generation of systems.
Funding: The company raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Vestel Ventures on January 22, 2024.
Founded: 2016
Key People: CEO Herbert Dwyer
Elevator Pitch: An upfront cost barrier software for energy efficiency intended to provide upgrades at commercial buildings.
Funding: The company raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from LEONID Capital Management on January 22, 2024.
Founded: 2022
Key People: CEO Terry Reinert
Elevator Pitch: An intelligence system intended to provide cyber protection and business intelligence to fleet owners.
Funding: The company raised $775,000 of venture funding through the combination of equity and debt from undisclosed investors on January 19, 2024.
Look for a new episode of Securing the Future Podcasts wherever you listen. In our most recent episode, we have Stephen DiBartolomeo, Principal at Scout Ventures, sit down with General Partner Jeremy Hitchcock for an engaging conversation about venture capital and entrepreneurship.
