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USPTO Releases Updated Guidance for AI-Assisted Inventions
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Artificial intelligence. The USPTO issued updated guidance for AI-assisted inventions.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office within the Department of Commerce has issued revised guidance on determining the patentability of an invention created with the help of artificial intelligence systems.

In a Federal Register notice published on Friday, the USPTO stated that it is rescinding the February 2024 inventorship guidance for AI-assisted inventions.

USPTO Releases Updated Guidance for AI-Assisted Inventions

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What Standards Govern Joint Inventorship in AI-Assisted Innovation?

According to the latest guidance, the Pannu factors do not apply when “only one natural person is involved in developing an invention with AI assistance because AI systems are not persons and therefore cannot be ‘joint inventors’ so there is no joint inventorship question to analyze.”

Pannu factors help determine whether an individual has made a meaningful and inventive contribution sufficient to be named a co-inventor.

The guidance considers AI systems as “analogous to laboratory equipment, computer software, research databases, or any other tool that assists in the inventive process.”

Although they may generate ideas and offer services, AI systems remain tools used by the human inventor, according to the guidance.

When several individuals contribute to an invention that was developed with the help of AI, the standard rules for determining joint inventorship still apply. According to the guidance, this includes assessing each person’s contribution to the claimed invention using the Pannu factors.

USPTO noted that in addition to utility patents, the guidance also applies to design and plant patents as well as patent applications.

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New ARPA-H Director Details Health Tech Initiatives, Pushes for Broader Partnerships With Innovators
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Alicia Jackson, director of ARPA-H. Jackson issued a new letter addressed to the ARPA-H community

Alicia Jackson, the new director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, identified recent ARPA-H initiatives and called for innovators to introduce new technologies that can improve the nation’s healthcare systems in a letter addressed to stakeholders.

What Projects Has ARPA-H Launched So Far?

One of the achievements that Jackson identified in the letter is the Universal Patching and Remediation for Autonomous Defense, or UPGRADE, a program that aims to develop automated cyber defense tools for hospitals.

UPGRADE, launched in November, has already identified performer teams that will work on projects addressing vulnerabilities associated with medical devices.

“Since my arrival only one month ago, we’re back in business and taking the bull by the horns: we’ve launched and awarded efforts spanning the gamut of health, from distributed biomanufacturing of genetic medicines, to automated cyber patches for our embattled hospitals, to new tools that will make the United States the safest place to have a baby,” Jackson, who was appointed ARPA-H director in October, wrote in the letter.

New ARPA-H Director Details Health Tech Initiatives, Pushes for Broader Partnerships With Innovators

What other technologies are revolutionizing federal healthcare? Find out at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Healthcare Summit on Feb. 12. The event will feature leaders from the Defense Health Agency, National Institutes of Health, and other government and industry organizations to discuss healthcare innovation and modernization of IT systems. Secure your tickets to this critical GovCon summit today.

What Is ARPA-H Seeking From Innovators?

The agency leader also stressed the role of industry to advance the mission of ARPA-H. She noted some recent technologies developed to improve healthcare, such as 3D-printing organs, a tool that enables joints to heal, and a platform that can predict drug safety and efficacy prior to clinical trials.

Jackson is inviting researchers, start-ups and companies to engage with ARPA-H through upcoming Proposers’ Days and join open funding opportunities.

“By convening and inspiring the best innovators from around the world, we strive to make the seemingly impossible not just possible, but probable,” she stated.

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Space Force Advances Naval Research Laboratory’s TREx to Operational Prototype
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Logo of the U.S. Space Force. The Space Force conducted a TREx and JAM demonstration

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command has transitioned the Naval Research Laboratory’s Transmit/Receive Enterprise, or TREx, from a research effort into an operational prototype.

During an early August demonstration, TREx connected the Space Development Agency’s satellite operations center to commercial and government antennas through the Joint Antenna Marketplace, or JAM. TREx was integrated into SSC’s antenna services architecture after earning an Authority to Operate.

“The TREx system brings enhanced flexibility and efficiency to our antenna services, directly supporting our mission to deliver integrated, resilient capabilities to the field,” said Col. Patrick Little, program director for SSC’s newly established Systems Delta 85.

Space Force Advances Naval Research Laboratory’s TREx to Operational Prototype

Leaders from the Space Force and other Department of War components will be present at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29. The GovCon conference will feature panels on advancing space IT and other technologies to support warfighters. Join the event by purchasing your tickets today.

How Will JAM-TREx Integration Support Defense Missions?

Developed by Auria Space and Sphinx Defense, JAM is a cloud-based marketplace that enables satellite operations centers to schedule communication sessions, or contacts, with available antennas.

By pairing JAM and TREx, SSC is supporting Tranche 1 of SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, or PWSA, by enabling contacts with the Tranche 0 satellites and meeting immediate warfighter requirements.

Tranche 0, also known as the warfighter immersion tranche, demonstrates the low-latency communications, enabling beyond-line-of-sight targeting and missile warning and tracking from low Earth orbit.

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White House Issues New Rules to Limit Foreign-Made Drone Use, Strengthen UAS Cybersecurity
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Drones. The OMB memo warns that foreign-made drones pose potential threats to federal networks and mission data.

The White House has released new procurement guidance directing federal agencies to adopt strict cybersecurity standards for unmanned aircraft systems and accelerate the shift away from foreign-made platforms. The government-wide memo, issued by the Office of Management and Budget on Nov. 21, implements provisions of the American Security Drone Act and outlines new requirements intended to protect federal missions and support U.S. drone manufacturers.

Why Is OMB Warning Against Foreign-Made Drones?

The memo warns that drones produced by entities tied to foreign adversaries pose potential threats to federal networks and mission data, including unauthorized data capture, remote-access vulnerabilities, covert surveillance capabilities and supply chain disruptions. It states that heavy reliance on foreign-made systems also undermines domestic manufacturing capacity needed for federal operations.

What Cyber Safeguards Must All Federally Funded Drones Meet?

Agencies have 180 days to implement the cybersecurity safeguards for any drone purchased with federal funds, including those acquired through grants. Under the new policy, drones must be treated as both aircraft and IT systems, and must meet requirements, including:

  • Multi-factor authentication for remote access
  • Secure and verifiable software and firmware updates
  • Encryption of data at rest and in transit
  • Controls to block unauthorized data transfers
  • Remote lock or wipe functions
  • Deletion of high-confidentiality mission data after operations

The memo also directs agencies to assess during acquisition and solicitation development whether procurement from U.S. manufacturers is necessary to maintain domestic production capacity. It allows noncompetitive acquisitions when needed to support the U.S. industrial base.

When Do Restrictions on Foreign Drones Take Effect?

Starting Dec. 22,  agencies may not use federal funds to purchase or operate drones listed as prohibited by the Federal Acquisition Security Council. Exemptions are limited to select national security agencies, including the Departments of War, Homeland Security and Justice. Those apply if certain procurements or operations serve a vital national interest. 

These exemptions cover operations related to research, evaluation, training, testing and analysis for electronic warfare, cybersecurity or the development of UAS and counter-UAS technology; active missions such as counterterrorism, counterintelligence, protective services, or federal criminal and national security investigations; and UAS platforms modified to eliminate data transfer to foreign entities.

All waiver requests must be approved by the OMB director and reported to Congress.

How Will the Rules Apply to Grants and Federally Funded Purchases?

Federal agencies must incorporate the new drone security requirements into grant solicitations and evaluate proposals before awarding funds. Recipients will be subject to monitoring and review to ensure systems purchased with federal funding comply with the updated standards.

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NAVAIR Selects 4 Vendors to Compete for Drone ISR Basic Ordering Agreements
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NAVAIR seal. The Naval Air Systems Command plans to issue delivery orders for unmanned aerial system ISR services.

The Naval Air Systems Command’s program executive office for unmanned aviation and strike weapons has revealed plans to issue delivery orders under four basic ordering agreements to support land and sea-based unmanned aerial system contractor-owned, contractor-operated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, services.

What Will NAVAIR’s UAS COCO ISR Services Contracts Cover?

According to a presolicitation notice published on SAM.gov on Nov. 20, the agreements will require contractors to provide trained personnel, non-developmental UAS platforms, certifications, operations and maintenance, spare parts, and product support.

These services are intended to support ISR missions, delivering continuous sensor data and imagery to combatant commands. They will aid U.S. and allied forces in combat and contingency operations, guided by joint urgent operational needs, fleet top-level requirements and other operational directives.

Which Companies Will Vie for Delivery Orders Under NAVAIR’s BOAs?

NAVAIR will procure the necessary products or services from a restricted set of suppliers, including AeroVironment, Shield AI, Insitu and Textron Systems. These companies are expected to compete for each opportunity, with the winning bidder receiving the delivery order under the applicable BOA.

Based on the request for information notice issued on SAM.gov in January, Insitu and Textron Systems are currently providing the services under firm-fixed-price BOAs issued in March 2021.

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General Atomics Advances Helium-Cooled Fast Modular Reactor Concept
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General Atomics Electromagnetics logo. General Atomics has finished the conceptual design for its fast modular reactor.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems has finished the conceptual design for its new helium gas-cooled fast modular reactor, or FMR.

What Is the Fast Modular Reactor?

The Department of Energy said Tuesday the FMR is designed as a gas-cooled, modular reactor capable of delivering 44 megawatts of firm power while occupying less than a quarter of an acre of land. Factory-built for scalability, the reactor features an air-cooling system, making it well-suited for deployment in remote or arid environments. It uses high-assay low-enriched uranium, or HALEU, fuel encased in silicon carbide, enabling operation at temperatures twice those tolerated by conventional light-water reactor fuel.

The FMR is one of three early-stage concept projects exploring advanced nuclear energy technologies under the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. The DOE supports the project through an Advanced Reactor Concepts 2020, or ARC-20, award.

“The ARC-20 program has supported critical advances in the Gas-cooled Fast Reactor concept and demonstration of robust materials that enable an added layer of safety, while still enabling operation without the need for a water source,” said Christina Back, vice president of nuclear technologies and materials at General Atomics. “These features facilitate siting and compatibility for small communities and diverse applications, including the recycling of used nuclear fuel.”

How Did General Atomics Validate the FMR Design?

The General Atomics division validated the FMR design’s safety systems, fuel and operational performance through modeling and laboratory-scale testing, and fabricated sample fuel rods. The company has also filed licensing documents with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, paving the way for preliminary design and potential demonstration in the 2030s.

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Pentagon Releases Zero Trust Guidance for Securing OT Systems
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The Department of Defense's seal. DOD issued its Zero Trust for Operational Technology guidance

The Department of Defense has issued new guidance detailing how its components must implement zero trust principles across operational technology environments.

The 28-page document titled Zero Trust for Operational Technology offers activities and outcomes that are specific to zero trust adoption for department-owned OT systems, DOD said.

Pentagon Releases Zero Trust Guidance for Securing OT Systems

Get updates on DOD’s zero trust journey at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21. The event will bring together leaders from across the private and public sectors to network and discuss threats to American systems and innovations to defeat adversaries in the cyber domain. Reserve your spot at this critical GovCon conference by purchasing your tickets today. 

What Is the Scope of the New Zero Trust Guidance?

The document applies to a wide range of operational technology, including industrial control systems, building automation, transportation and physical access control. These systems support functions in energy management, water treatment, logistics handling and facility operations.

According to the Pentagon, applying traditional IT security methods to OT may be ineffective or may create risk. OT environments, the document explained, rely on legacy equipment, specialized engineering expertise and safety-driven requirements.

The guidance comes a few months after DOD issued its Directive-Type Memorandum 25-003, which requires components to achieve Target Level Zero Trust across unclassified and classified systems.

It also aligns with existing DOD and U.S. government cybersecurity policies, including the Zero Trust Overlays, the Cybersecurity Reference Architecture and the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Special Publication 800-82 for improving OT security.

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House Bill Seeks to Create Unified Federal AI Strategy as Global Competition Accelerates
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Artificial intelligence. The AI for America Act aims to establish a coordinated federal AI strategy.

A new House bill is seeking to establish a unified federal strategy for artificial intelligence and modernize the government’s research and regulatory approach to the technology. 

The office of Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., who introduced the AI for America Act, said Tuesday that the bill is intended to strengthen U.S. leadership amid accelerating global competition in AI, particularly with China. “Artificial intelligence will define the next century of economic growth, national security, and global competitiveness,” Kiggans said.

House Bill Seeks to Create Unified Federal AI Strategy as Global Competition Accelerates

The introduction of the AI for America Act reflects the U.S. government’s push to bring greater coherence, coordination and accountability to federal AI efforts. At the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 19, practitioners from across government and industry will share how they’re aligning AI innovation with mission needs. Reserve your seat now to join this relevant AI-centered event.

What Would the AI for America Act Require?

The proposed legislation directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to produce an AI action plan by July 31, 2027. The plan must outline measurable goals for U.S. AI leadership and workforce development, public-private partnerships, security safeguards and measures to prevent bias in data and model outputs. OSTP would update the plan every two years.

The bill also tasks OSTP with detailing steps to modernize civilian AI research infrastructure, particularly those involved in partnerships with the Department of Energy, NASA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Science Foundation.

Under the proposal, NIST will issue a report on audit mechanisms, review protocols and disclosure practices to help detect security risks and potential bias across AI systems. OSTP and relevant federal agencies, including DOE and the Departments of Transportation and Health and Human Services, should identify outdated regulatory obstacles that hinder AI deployment across sectors such as healthcare, transportation and scientific research. Both actions must be performed a year after the legislation’s enactment.

The measure builds on Executive Order 14179, which aims to remove barriers hindering American leadership in AI.

“Right now, federal agencies lack a unified strategy for integrating AI into mission-critical functions,” said Kiggans. “This bill ensures the federal government takes a coordinated, strategic approach across agencies, strengthens public-private partnerships, and protects Americans from bias, cybersecurity threats, or misuse of data.”

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HHS Expands Leadership Team With New Appointments
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Department of Health and Human Services' logo. HHS appointed new officials

The Department of Health and Human Services has appointed Adm. Brian Christine, Alex Adams and Michael Stuart to leadership roles.

Christine, Adams and Stuart were nominated to their new roles by President Donald Trump and received Senate confirmation in early October.

“I promised President Trump I would deliver meaningful reform at HHS and improve the health and well-being of every American. Fulfilling that commitment includes placing strong, capable leaders where they can make the greatest impact,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Each of these appointees brings a record of achievement, leadership and a deep dedication to restoring the nation’s health and wellness.”

HHS Expands Leadership Team With New Appointments

Meet leaders from across the federal healthcare industry at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Healthcare Summit on Feb. 12. The event will feature panel discussions on modernization, the adoption of cloud and artificial intelligence, and utilizing data to promote HHS’ Make America Healthy Again agenda. Companies that wish to strengthen their partnership with agencies or enter the federal healthcare market should attend the highly anticipated event. Purchase your tickets here.

Who Are the New HHS Appointees?

HHS named Christine, a men’s health expert who has published peer-reviewed research and trains surgeons around the world, as the assistant secretary for health. Christine earned his medical degree from Emory University and had his residency in urology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

In his new role, he will focus on restoring trust in public health, increasing transparency and strengthening chronic disease prevention.

Christine will also continue to oversee the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps., a uniformed service that protects health and safety across the nation.

Alex Adams was appointed assistant secretary for family support within the Administration for Children and Families. Before joining HHS, he served as director of Idaho’s Department of Health & Welfare. He also led as budget and regulatory director under Idaho Gov. Brad Little.

Adams earned his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in pharmacy from the University of Toledo and his master’s in public health from Johns Hopkins University.

Michael Stuart, former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, will oversee regulatory reform and oversight within the HHS as general counsel. As U.S. attorney, he led federal enforcement efforts in West Virginia and had a hand at the largest Medicaid fraud prosecution in the state’s history.

Stuart earned his law degree from the Boston University School of Law. 

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GAO Says DOD Needs Clearer Rules to Track Funding for Pacific Deterrence
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GAO logo. GAO urged DOD to develop clearer guidance for selecting programs to be included in PDI budget exhibits.

The Government Accountability Office says the Pentagon’s annual budget reporting for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative does not give Congress a reliable picture of how the department is resourcing efforts to counter China in the Indo-Pacific. According to a GAO report published Tuesday, the military services applied inconsistent criteria when deciding which programs to include in PDI budget exhibits for fiscal years 2023 through 2025.

The government watchdog noted that the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps included facilities sustainment efforts, while the Army and Navy excluded similar activities. It also stated that some programs east of the International Date Line were included despite guidance focusing primarily on activities west of the line and that other submissions listed development efforts unlikely to yield operational results within five years, even though PDI is intended to emphasize near-term impact.

Where Do Pentagon and INDOPACOM Assessments Conflict?

GAO found that the programs and funding detailed in the Department of Defense’s annual budget exhibit differ from the Indo-Pacific Command’s independent assessment. While some discrepancies stem from INDOPACOM’s assumption of unlimited resources, others arise from different program priorities. These inconsistencies, GAO said, hinder Congress’ ability to assess whether the DOD resources align with strategic goals and create uncertainty about the DOD’s most critical needs for the Indo-Pacific region.

How Should DOD Improve PDI Guidance and Alignment?

GAO issued two recommendations. It said the under secretary of defense for policy should revise its guidance to clearly define how programs are selected for inclusion in PDI budget exhibits—covering enhancements; research, development, test and evaluation; facilities sustainment; and geographic scope—and establish processes and roles for validating programs. The official should also update PDI processes to ensure the Pentagon reviews and considers INDOPACOM’s funded priorities when preparing annual budget reports.

DOD concurred with both recommendations.

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