THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 8/13/25

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

“The most dangerous phrase in the language is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.'”

— Rear Adm. Grace Hopper

Paratroopers test autonomous vehicle with AI for mortar resupply
Paratroopers tested the Overland AI ULTRA Fully Autonomous Tactical Vehicle during the multinational Agile Spirit 25 exercise in Georgia on July 29, aiming to enhance battlefield safety by keeping soldiers out of harm’s way. The ULTRA, an all-wheel, off-road vehicle capable of carrying up to 1,000 pounds at speeds of 35 mph, ran mortar resupply missions for 60mm and 120mm units. Controlled via satellite or internet connectivity — or pre-programmed for autonomous routes — the system is designed to be affordable and expendable, costing far less than crewed combat vehicles. Overland AI sees future roles for ULTRA in breaching obstacles, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation. Army leaders say exercises like Agile Spirit help test and refine such capabilities, with soldiers reporting strong interest in wider adoption. Click here to read more.

Apple’s plan for AI could make Siri the animated center of your smart home
Apple is reportedly planning a major AI push that could make Siri the animated hub of a future smart home ecosystem, Bloomberg reports. The company is developing products including a 2027-targeted tabletop robot resembling an iPad on a moving arm, an Amazon Astro-like wheeled robot, and even exploring humanoid concepts. The tabletop model would feature a more conversational, LLM-powered Siri with visual personality—possibly Memoji-like—that can track users and interact naturally. By mid-2026, Apple also aims to release a smart home display, similar to a Google Nest Hub, for controlling devices, playing music, taking notes, and making video calls, with face-recognition personalization for multiple users. Alongside this, Apple is working on a new lineup of home-security devices, including cameras, as it seeks to close its generative AI gap with competitors. Click here to read more.

Answers in Genesis Unveils Disney-Like Bible Attractions in Pigeon Forge and Branson
Answers in Genesis has launched new Disney-like Bible attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Branson, Mo., offering families a 5D virtual reality journey from the Garden of Eden to the resurrection of Christ without leaving their seats. The Truth Traveler 5D experience combines motion-synchronized chairs, wind effects, and immersive storytelling to reinforce biblical truth while entertaining guests. Known for the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, the ministry has expanded to these popular tourist destinations, with Pigeon Forge featuring a planetarium and Branson adding a theater for live shows and projection mapping. Chief Digital Officer Ben Wilt says the goal is to affirm the Bible’s authority while delivering a “Disney-level” experience with robust pre-show elements and intentional design. Both sites include food and gift shops, aiming to leave visitors with a lasting impression of Scripture’s importance. Click here to read more.

FDA’s bellyflop a sign that AI is no silver bullet for public safety – interview
FDA’s new AI drug review tool “Elsa”—developed with OpenAI to help speed up approvals—has been accused by insiders of fabricating medical studies and misrepresenting research, making it unfit for clinical reviews. In an interview with Cybernews, Brooke Hartley Moy, CEO of AI fact-checking firm Infactory, said she wasn’t surprised, warning that large language models often hallucinate facts and are poorly suited for tasks demanding precision and trust. She cited pressure on agencies to deploy AI quickly without enough in-house expertise, creating a “perfect storm” for failure. While Moy sees promise for AI as an augmentation tool in healthcare, she stressed that human oversight is essential and that the FDA must take a cautious approach to rebuild public trust. Click here to read more.

WATCH: Hamas uses fake WCK humanitarian vehicle to target IDF soldiers in Gaza
The IDF says it eliminated five Hamas fighters in Gaza last week who were using a vehicle falsely marked with the World Central Kitchen (WCK) emblem to disguise their activities. The military claims the fighters also wore yellow vests to appear as aid workers, aiming to avoid being targeted. WCK confirmed to Israeli officials that it had no connection to the vehicle, which was located in Deir al-Balah before being struck by an Israeli Air Force jet. The IDF accused Hamas and other groups of exploiting humanitarian symbols to mask military operations, and said it will continue working with aid organizations to prevent such abuse. Click here to read more.