Pentagon launches Project Meridian with Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey amid conflict-of-interest concerns
The Department of Defense has appointed SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckian to lead a 120-day study on autonomous weapons, prompting criticism over potential financial conflicts.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new initiative, Project Meridian, to examine the role of artificial intelligence, autonomy and other emerging technologies in future warfare. The 120-day study will be overseen by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, SpaceX chief Elon Musk and Anduril Industries co-founder Palmer Luckey, with analysis to be conducted by the MITRE Corporation.
The selection of Musk and Luckian has raised questions about possible conflicts of interest, given that SpaceX holds more than $8 billion in U.S. defense contracts and Anduril produces military drones and other systems. University of Minnesota law professor Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer, warned that the participants “want to sell stuff” and could influence procurement decisions to favor their own products.
A senior Defense Department official who asked to remain anonymous described the situation as “a massive conflict of interest,” noting that the study could shape future weapon purchases, potentially benefiting companies owned by the panel members. The Department of Defense said MITRE will apply “appropriate conflict-of-interest and information safeguards” in its analysis.
The Pentagon has not clarified whether Musk and Luckian will serve as special government employees or as contractors, a distinction that determines the ethical rules they must follow. A Government Accountability Office official, speaking anonymously, said the project’s findings will need close scrutiny and that existing safeguards may not be sufficient.
Critics also pointed to broader ethical concerns, citing the Trump administration’s handling of stock holdings by officials involved in defense procurement. The Department of Defense declined to comment on the conflict-of-interest issues, and representatives for SpaceX and Anduril did not respond to requests for comment.