Pentagon Seeks $30.3 Million for an AI-Powered Lie Detector
The US Department of Defense is seeking $30.3 million over five years to develop a more advanced lie-detection system, according to its latest budget request. The initiative, known as Polygraph+ or Polygraph Next, would combine artificial intelligence and machine learning with upgraded scoring algorithms designed to assess deception. The project will also explore “standoff sensing,” a technique intended to detect physiological or behavioral signals from a distance rather than requiring a subject to be physically connected to conventional polygraph equipment. The proposed funding highlights the Pentagon’s continued interest in using AI to improve tools for security, intelligence, and screening applications. However, the request describes a research and development effort, not a finished product ready for widespread deployment. The reliability of AI-based lie detection remains an open question, particularly because stress, fear, cultural differences, and other factors can produce signals that may be mistaken for deception.