Ever to Conquer – Week of October 14, 2025

🎙️ Podcast Spotlight
Ever to Conquer with Jon Rogers

In this episode, Jon Rogers highlights why real transformation in government starts with people, not technology. He shares how trust, collaboration, and clear communication can drive innovation more effectively than any single tool. The conversation explores how empowering teams, aligning around shared goals, and creating space for change can turn big ideas into lasting impact.

• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple

📰 Top Stories This Week

1) Senate Passes Bill to Require AI Chipmakers to Prioritize U.S. Sales

• Summary: The U.S. Senate recently passed a provision (as part of the NDAA) that would require AI chipmakers (like Nvidia, AMD) to prioritize sales to American companies before selling to foreign entities. Tom's Hardware
• Why it matters: This is a major lever in the U.S. industrial strategy - placing AI hardware control squarely in the national security and policy domain. Contractors and system integrators will need to be especially vigilant about supply chains, export rules, and relationships with chip vendors.
• Actionable: Review supply chains for dependencies on foreign-made chips, engage in upcoming rulemaking, and be ready to show alignment with “Made-in-America” sourcing priorities.

2) Anthropic Expands Claude Gov to National Security Missions

• Summary: Anthropic is readying its Claude Gov model line for expanded use in cyber operations, intelligence analysis, war-gaming simulations, and defense training, working under the Trump administration’s push for deeper AI adoption. Axios
• Why it matters: The emerging overlap between defense and commercial AI is accelerating. AI models with “dual-use” capability will increasingly compete for both mission and civilian budgets.
• Actionable: If your organization serves in national security, defense, or intelligence, now is a moment to evaluate Claude Gov’s features and alignment, while keeping security oversight top of mind.

3) States Put Forward AI Strategies Amid Federal Gridlock

• Summary: With federal-level AI legislation stalling, states like Vermont, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and North Dakota are developing their own AI strategies, deployment models, and governance frameworks. Axios+1
• Why it matters: States are becoming laboratories of AI policy and implementation. Their approaches may set precedents that federal agencies adopt later
• Actionable: Watch key states for pilot programs you can partner with or benchmark. If your customers include state/local entities, tailor offerings to regional contexts and regulatory variation.

4) GSA & xAI Sign Expanded Deal for Federal Access to Grok

• Summary: The General Services Administration and xAI (Elon Musk’s AI company) formalized a “OneGov” agreement that lets federal agencies access Grok frontier models for $0.42 per agency , valid through March 2027. UPI+3U.S. General Services Administration+3Executive Gov+3
• Why it matters: This cements Grok as a government-available model and forces incumbents (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) to compete in a more elastic procurement environment.
• Actionable: Agencies should pilot Grok in low-risk domains. Vendors should compare model performance, cost, and security guarantees to differentiate their offerings.

Innovative Company on Our Radar

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