The U.S. government is requesting $30.3 million over the next five years to develop an advanced form of lie detection technology, according to a recent Department of Defense budget proposal. This initiative, known as "Polygraph+" or "Polygraph Next," aims to integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning into scoring algorithms. It also explores "standoff sensing," a technique that measures physiological responses without the need for physical contact with the subject. The program, reported by Inside Defense, is intended to modernize the federal government's polygraph and credibility assessment tools to enhance their accuracy and reliability. This push for improved lie detection comes amid increased use of polygraph tests within the Department of Defense, particularly under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth has relied on polygraphs to investigate allegations of leaks to the press. In September, the New York Times reported that around 50 Joint Staff officers had undergone polygraph tests after media coverage revealed concerns about U.S. weapons stockpiles in the war with Iran. The new technology, managed by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), would be used for vetting federal employees and identifying potential insider threats. However, the specific technologies involved have not been disclosed, and the DCSA has not provided additional details. Previously, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) sought companies to develop deception detection technologies. Two firms, Presage Technologies and Altec Research, were selected to build prototypes. Presage Technologies claims to measure heart rate and breathing using standard cameras, while Altec Research is exploring non-contact sensing methods. A prototype image from Altec, shared by the DIU, shows it tracks head movement, facial skin temperature, and pore activity. However, neither company has responded to requests for comment, and the DIU has declined to provide further information. Traditional polygraph technology has remained largely unchanged since its development in the 1920s. Examiners typically rely on measurements of blood pressure, pulse, breathing, and sweat to determine if someone is lying. These tests compare a subject's physiological responses to baseline and target questions. While the federal government conducts tens of thousands of polygraph tests each year, the results are rarely accepted in court. In 1983, Congress’s Office of Technology Assessment found limited evidence supporting the use of polygraphs for employee screening. A 2003 report by the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) stated the evidence on the polygraph’s effectiveness was "weak at best." Research suggests that without technological assistance, people can detect lies just over half the time. The American Polygraph Association claims the polygraph is between 80 and 94% accurate, but the NRC report warned that even a test with this level of accuracy could still result in many errors. Given the scale of the Department of Defense, which employs 2.8 million people, an imperfect system could lead to tens of thousands of false accusations. Other concerns include the subjective nature of polygraph interpretations, the likelihood of different examiners reaching conflicting conclusions, and the fact that individuals can learn to manipulate the test by artificially altering their physiological responses. Additionally, people from minority groups are more likely to be judged as deceptive, raising concerns about bias.