The Daily Scoop Podcast
Episode Title: Army wants to boost funding for its FUZE program
Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Billy Mitchell

Episode Overview

This episode dives into two major government technology headlines impacting federal leadership:

1. The U.S. Army's intention to increase funding for its innovative FUZE program, aimed at accelerating technology adoption and partnerships, especially with startups.
2. The release of new interim AI guidance by the U.S. federal judiciary, outlining guardrails and opportunities for the court system’s adoption of artificial intelligence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The U.S. Army’s FUZE Program and Funding Boost

Segment Starts: [00:32]

• New Funding Model:
  The Army’s top acquisition official expressed plans to further grow resources for the FUZE initiative. FUZE, introduced by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, serves as a "cradle to grave" capital funding model.

  • Quote (Billy Mitchell voices Army language):
    "Driscoll has described it as the Army's new cradle to grave capital funding model." [00:55]

• Program Integration:
  FUZE merges elements from multiple technology innovation programs:

  • X Tech
  • Small Business Innovation Research
  • Small Business Technology Transfer
  • ManTech
  • Technology Maturation Initiative
    Purpose: Form a more integrated framework to deliver new capabilities to soldiers faster. [01:07]

• Startup Engagement and Rapid Contracting:
  Army seeks to contract with startups new to its ecosystem in just 60 to 70 days.
  Existing partners with prototypes may receive contracts in as little as 10 days, with soldier iterations starting within 30 to 45 days.

  • Quote (Driscoll):
    "...the Army trains like it fights and that acquisition should be no different." [01:40]

• Financial Commitment:

  • $750 million already allocated to FUZE.
  • Planned increase to $765 million next year.
  • Future funding anticipated to rise even more.
  • Quote (paraphrased from Brent Ingraham at AUSA):
    "...he anticipates that funding levels for those efforts will be higher in subsequent years." [02:10]

2. Federal Judiciary’s Interim Artificial Intelligence Guidance

Segment Starts: [02:25]

• Background:
  The federal judiciary issued interim AI guidelines addressing responsible use, procurement, and the security of AI tools. This comes in the wake of inquiries about AI misuse by court clerks leading to errors in federal court orders.

• Task Force & Policy Intent:
  An AI Task Force, established earlier in 2025, prepared the guidance, which federal courts received by July 31. The guidance balances technological exploration with risk management as permanent policy is developed.

• Scope and Emphasis:

  • Applies to judges, staff, and personnel.

  • Addresses:

    • Use guidelines for AI tools
    • Procurement and security
    • Confidentiality and judicial data protection
    • AI education for judiciary members

  • Quote (Judge Robert J. Conrad, via letter):
    "...includes suggestions for AI tool use, procurement and security, as well as recommendations for specific areas like confidentiality and security of judiciary data and AI education." [03:07]

• Context of Disclosure:
  Guidance was revealed in response to Senator Chuck Grassley's inquiry regarding AI-generated errors in official orders.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Army Secretary Dan Driscoll [01:40]:
  "The Army trains like it fights and that acquisition should be no different."

• Brent Ingraham at AUSA [02:10]:
  "...he anticipates that funding levels for those efforts will be higher in subsequent years."

• Judge Robert J. Conrad’s AI Guidance Description [03:07]:
  "...includes suggestions for AI tool use, procurement and security, as well as recommendations for specific areas like confidentiality and security of judiciary data and AI education."

Key Timestamps

• [00:32] – Details of the FUZE program and Army acquisition goals
• [01:40] – Contracting speed and intent for startups, notable Driscoll quote
• [02:10] – Current and future FUZE funding levels
• [02:25] – Introduction and context for federal judiciary AI guidance
• [03:07] – Content and scope of the new AI guidance

Final Thoughts

This episode highlights significant steps by two government branches in modernizing processes:

• The Army rapidly growing investment and accelerating tech partnerships to maintain military edge.
• The Judiciary cautiously approaches AI adoption, allowing experimentation but with safeguards, as it crafts durable policy in response to practical challenges.

For more on these stories and ongoing federal technology shifts, listeners are encouraged to visit FedScoop.com.