THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 3/14/25

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“The budget is not just a collection of numbers, but an expression of our values and aspirations.”

— Sen. Jack Lew

Senate passes stopgap funding bill with $6B in military spending, averting shutdown
The Senate passed a stopgap funding bill on Friday, preventing a government shutdown while allocating $6 billion for defense and $6 billion for veterans’ health care through September 30. The 54-46 vote came despite concerns from military leaders that temporary funding hurts readiness and modernization. Lawmakers, though reluctant, supported the measure to avoid a shutdown. The Defense Department will operate under a full-year continuing resolution for the first time, impacting shipbuilding, maintenance, and new contracts. Meanwhile, an effort to reinstate fired veteran federal employees under Elon Musk’s efficiency initiative failed. Click here to read more.

Google is officially dumping Assistant for Gemini
Google is officially phasing out Google Assistant, transitioning users to its AI-powered Gemini assistant over the coming months. According to a company blog post, Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices or available for new downloads later this year. The upgrade will extend to tablets, cars, headphones, watches, and smart home devices like speakers, displays, and TVs. While Google Assistant will continue to function temporarily, Google is expected to reveal more details—possibly at Google I/O in May. Launched in 2016, Google Assistant is now giving way to Gemini’s expanding AI ecosystem. Click here to read more.

End of a downturn?
A new Pew Research Center study suggests that the decline of Christianity in the U.S. has stabilized, with just over 6 in 10 Americans still identifying as Christian—a rate unchanged for the past five years. While Christianity has declined since 2007, the rise of religiously unaffiliated “nones” has also leveled off at 29%. Experts attribute past declines to digital culture, church scandals, and secular influences, though some see signs of renewed faith interest. Bible sales have surged, and millennials are returning to churches, seeking stability for their families. Click here to read more.

Under Trump, AI Scientists Are Told to Remove ‘Ideological Bias’ From Powerful Models
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has updated its AI Safety Institute (AISI) guidelines, removing references to AI safety, fairness, and responsible AI, while emphasizing reducing ideological bias and boosting U.S. economic competitiveness. The changes come amid a broader shift in AI policy under the Trump administration, which has deprioritized efforts to combat misinformation and bias in AI models. Critics warn that this could lead to more discriminatory and unsafe AI systems, while supporters argue it fosters American AI dominance. The policy shift aligns with broader government restructuring led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Click here to read more.

Witkoff warns time is not on Hamas’s side as terror org. makes impractical demands
The U.S. government has proposed a “bridge” plan to extend the Gaza ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover, aiming to negotiate a permanent cessation of hostilities. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff dismissed Hamas’s latest offer, calling it a stalling tactic, and warned that time is running out. The U.S. plan includes the release of five living hostages and several deceased hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire extension. Hamas’s refusal to compromise has frustrated negotiators, with Israel accusing Hamas of psychological manipulation. Hostage families urge urgent action, criticizing delays in Israel’s government response. Click here to read more.