DARPA Chief Departs Defense Department to Work for Google

From Wired.com's "DANGER ROOM - What's Next In National Security":

Exclusive: Darpa Director Bolts Pentagon for Google

Darpa director Regina Dugan will soon be stepping down from her position atop the Pentagon’s premiere research shop to take a job with Google. Dugan, whose controversial tenure at the agency lasted just under three years, was “offered and accepted at senior executive position” with the internet giant, according to Darpa spokesman Eric Mazzacone. She felt she couldn’t say no to such an “innovative company,” he adds.

Dugan’s emphasis on cybersecurity and next-generation manufacturing earned her strong support from the White House, winning her praise from the President and maintaining the agency’s budget even during a period of relative austerity at the Pentagon. Her push into crowdsourcing and outreach to the hacker community were eye-openers in the often-closed world of military R&D. Dugan also won over some military commanders by diverting some of her research cash from long-term, blue-sky projects to immediate battlefield concerns.

“There is a time and a place for daydreaming. But it is not at Darpa,” she told a congressional panel in March 2011 (.pdf). “Darpa is not the place of dreamlike musings or fantasies, not a place for self-indulging in wishes and hopes. Darpa is a place of doing.” For an agency that spent millions of dollars on shape-shifting robots, Mach 20 missiles, and mind-controlled limbs, it was something of a revolutionary statement.

Later on in the article it states that The Pentagon’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has an active investigation ongoing that looks into Dugan's approval of certain defense contracts as there may have been contract(s) given to a company she owns. Although the article states the investigation has nothing to do with the move to Google.

“Dr. Dugan’s departure is not related to an OIG investigation,” Lt. Col. Melinda Morgan, a spokesperson for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, adds in a statement. “The OIG conducts regular audits of Defense agency contracts and ethics programs; as a Defense agency, this includes Darpa.”

Perhaps, but it would be a great cover story nonetheless as to the reason for her relinquishing to Google.

Very interesting acquisition Google has made to their team. I mean, it's just a search engine company right? I wonder what her role will be?

From the PopSci article:

Subheadline Link: Do you have what it takes to run DARPA? Ability to mind-control the weather a plus

DARPA Chief Departs Defense Department to Work for Google

Google didn't specify what she'll be doing, but said she will be a "real asset." "Regina is a technical pioneer who brought the future of technology to the military during her time at DARPA," the company said in a statement.

So, who will be the next DARPA Chief? and...what will become of Google in the future?

Very interesting acquisition Google has made to their team. I mean, it's just a search engine company right? I wonder what her role will be?

Everyone knows how networking works. I'm wondering if people should even be allowed to cross fields when it comes to career choices. Think about it....

It's like when politicians become lobbyists.



No Google, "Don't be 'evil'..."

Originally posted by UberL33t
So, who will be the next DARPA Chief? and...what will become of Google in the future?

DARPA and a connection with Google?!?!?! I am shocked.

Shocked.

reply to post by UberL33t


The fact you think Google is only a search engine company shows how little you know. What does a self driving car have to do with search engines? Google has their hand in a lot of pots, very innovating stuff, completely unlike most social media companies that simply sell information to make a profit and deliver nothing of Value. Take a look at Google's Self Driving Cars.

reply to post by OccamsRazor04

The fact you think Google is only a search engine company shows how little you know.

Perhaps I should have used the < sarcasm > or < facetious > tag

Google is AI and has algorithms to build entire social engineering constructs. You are your IP...thats the mark of the beast...its not a chip or tattoo in your hand or forehead (fairytale) You already have the mark

Technology and Informational Warfare to control and manipulate world affairs.....you havent seen nothing yet.


Your unbelief will assure their security and success.
They dont call it the Inter-Net for nothing. Consider yourself officially mapped tagged and tracked starting today.
Its Virtually a Reality----denying it exists wont make it go away.

Google is like the walmart of the internet.

Maybe she cut a deal with the government, they will back off on the investigation of her if she joins google to help mine their data, the gov probly doesnt have the money to pay for it anymore lol