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Alphabet's Eric Schmidt heading Pentagon's new innovation board

Following the launch of Alphabet's Jigsaw, Schmidt is leading a new innovation board.
Written by Jake Smith, Contributor
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Former Google CEO and current Alphabet chairman Eric Schmidt is heading the Pentagon's newly formed innovation board that aims to help the Department of Defense keep up with current technology.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced the plans on Wednesday in Silicon Valley, saying the innovation board will be comprised of up to 12 people who have successfully led large private and public organizations.

Members will be selected by Secretary Carter and Schmidt, and the group won't engage in military operations or strategy.

"The board's mandate is to provide department leaders independent advice on innovative and adaptive means to address future organizational and cultural challenges, including the use of technology alternatives, streamlined project management processes and approaches - all with the goal of identifying quick solutions to DoD problems," a release stated.

Last month, Alphabet launched a similar arm called Jigsaw to focus on world policy. Schmidt's work with the Pentagon comes after Apple has been heavily highlighted in the news for refusing to unlock the iPhone of the San Bernardino terrorists following a court order.

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