New Guidance from the Pentagon for Procuring Unbiased Artificial Intelligence

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has published new guidance for contracting and program personnel aimed at ensuring artificial intelligence systems purchased by the Pentagon are neutral and free from ideological dogma.

The directive, issued by John Tenaglia, principal director for defense pricing, contracting and acquisition policy, advances President Donald Trump's agenda to prevent biased artificial intelligence across the federal government. In an executive order signed in July, Trump mandated that large language models purchased by federal agencies be impartial and neutral tools. Tenaglia noted that while compliance with regulations and the OMB memo is mandatory, the Pentagon document serves strictly as guidance and aims to provide a standardized approach.

The new guidance offers templates for acquisition officials to assist in AI procurement processes, including transparency, documentation requirements, standardized solicitation language, and official contract texts. This development coincides with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's efforts to integrate commercial AI into the Department of Defense. Meanwhile, Representative Jimmy Patronis is working to codify Trump's executive order into law.