The Pentagon seeks $30 million for AI-powered lie detection technology

The US Department of Defense has requested $30.3 million over five years to develop 'Polygraph+', a modernized credibility assessment program. The initiative aims to integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning with 'standoff sensing'—a method to measure physiological responses without physical contact. Managed by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, the project is intended for employee vetting and insider threat detection. While the Pentagon seeks to improve accuracy, the proposal faces skepticism from experts who argue that technology-based lie detection remains scientifically flawed and historically unreliable. Previous studies, including those by the National Research Council, have consistently questioned the efficacy of polygraph testing. Despite these concerns, the Pentagon continues to utilize such methods for internal security, particularly in response to recent leaks. The program remains subject to Congressional approval, with the government exploring prototypes that track facial temperature, pore activity, and movement.