Pentagon’s Top AI Official Sold Millions in Tech Stock While Setting Military AI Policy

Pentagon AI chief Emil Michael sold up to $75M in xAI and Perplexity stock while simultaneously overseeing military AI policy. This financial activity has raised sharp ethics questions regarding his role in setting government standards for artificial intelligence. The transactions occurred while Michael held a top position at the Pentagon, creating a potential conflict of interest between his private investments in tech companies and his official responsibilities in shaping national military AI strategies and policies.