Pentagon AI Chief Sells Millions in Perplexity Stake

Emil Michael, a US Defense Department under secretary and the Pentagon’s chief technology officer, plays a central role in shaping military technology and artificial-intelligence policy. His personal investments in prominent AI startups have therefore drawn scrutiny as the department expands its dealings with commercial model developers and weighs policies that can affect competition among Perplexity AI, xAI, Anthropic and other industry players.

Financial disclosures show Michael sold Perplexity AI shares valued at between $5 million and $25 million in June. The divestment follows a profitable sale of his xAI holdings earlier this year, marking another disposal of a major private AI investment. The timing has attracted additional attention because Michael previously led sanctions-related action targeting rival Anthropic, placing his financial transactions alongside consequential Pentagon decisions affecting the sector.