Mike Phillips Tech

Articles

This is a collection of selected writing and past work, including technology, operations, and investigative topics.

These articles reflect my background in analyzing complex systems, breaking down information, and communicating it clearly.

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Recent Articles

Clinical AI Has Arrived. Now Comes the Hard Part.

By mid-2025, the FDA authorized over 1,250 AI-enabled medical devices, yet there remains a significant gap between clearance and real clinical application. While AI excels in image analysis and documentation automation, clinical decision support adoption lags due to low clinician confidence. Regulatory changes are emerging, but challenges in deployment and governance persist across healthcare systems.

Why Government Agencies Keep Failing at ITSM Implementation

The recurring failures in federal IT Service Management (ITSM) implementations stem from agencies misunderstanding what they need, mismanaging processes, and neglecting platform ownership post-deployment. Successful outcomes require pre-award engagement, standardized workflows, dedicated administration, and robust change management to ensure that technology enhances operations rather than perpetuating dysfunction.

The Pentagon Just Requested $1.5 Trillion. The Fight Over Golden Dome’s Most Ambitious Layer Is Just Beginning.

The Pentagon’s FY2027 budget proposal includes a historic $1.5 trillion, with significant allocations for missile defense and space-based interceptors under the Golden Dome program. While funding is substantial, costs and feasibility pose challenges, prompting debate on whether such interceptors will be developed amid growing adversary capabilities and budget scrutiny.

The Hidden Costs of Enterprise Software Procurement in the Public Sector

Government agencies often underestimate the total costs of enterprise software due to hidden expenses not included in contracts. These include implementation, licensing complexity, data migration, training, ongoing administration, and vendor lock-in. Addressing these costs requires a comprehensive approach to procurement, focusing on total ownership rather than just upfront prices to avoid future financial waste.

You Paid for AI. So, Why Can’t You Use It?

Emerging patterns across major AI platforms show users frequently face disruptions during critical tasks like resume writing and coding due to usage limits and system slowdowns. Users expect reliable access but instead encounter inconsistent availability, revealing a gap between marketed productivity and actual performance under pressure, compromising workflow continuity.

AI Tools and the Ethics of Sensitive Storytelling

AI tools can enhance investigative research through document analysis and pattern recognition, but they pose serious risks when used with vulnerable populations. This article argues for careful application of AI, emphasizing data privacy, consent, and the importance of human judgment in sensitive research to avoid potential harm.

The SOW Nobody Reads Until Something Goes Wrong

The statement of work (SOW) often becomes central when IT projects fail, revealing gaps between contract intentions and deliverables. Most SOWs lack clarity on outcomes, acceptance criteria, and scope, leading to disputes and inefficiencies. Addressing these issues upfront can prevent costly complications and ensure project success.

AI killed the hiring process. Here’s how to fix it.

Job search automation has hindered recruitment by prioritizing algorithmic efficiency over human judgment, causing organizations to filter out diverse and qualified candidates. Platforms have reinforced biases, leading to a lack of accountability in hiring decisions. To improve, employers must reassess their tools, maintain human evaluation, and focus on quality hires over efficiency.

The hidden cost of tribal knowledge in tech organizations

Tribal knowledge in organizations often remains undocumented, functioning effectively until a key individual leaves. This loss creates gaps that are difficult to measure, leading to errors and inefficiencies. As organizations grow, reliance on informal knowledge becomes riskier. Structured documentation can transform this liability into an accessible asset, minimizing disruption during transitions.

AI can’t save you from a disorganized system

Companies are investing in AI tools to enhance productivity, but many face disappointing results. The issue often lies not in the technology but in the organizations’ unstructured information and workflows. Successful adoption requires prioritizing clear documentation and standardized processes, as these foundational elements critically influence AI performance.

Seeing Beneath the Surface: New 3D Color Imaging Breakthrough Could Transform Medical Diagnostics

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking imaging technique that enables three-dimensional, full-color visualization of the human body, enhancing medical diagnostics and surgery. This technology captures depth and color data, offering insights into tissue composition and disease. With potential applications in cancer detection and surgical planning, it promises improved healthcare outcomes and efficiency.

AI Models Are Getting Better — Quietly Reshaping Power, Productivity, and Accountability

The evolving landscape of artificial intelligence is marked by improved core models that emphasize reliability and efficiency over hype. As these models enhance productivity without replacing human roles, businesses are increasingly able to integrate AI into existing workflows. This shift signifies a critical moment in AI’s impact on the economy and competitiveness.

Musk’s Power Stack: Why the SpaceX–xAI Merger Raises Real Tech Governance Questions

Elon Musk plans to merge SpaceX with his AI venture, xAI, enhancing vertical integration across aerospace and artificial intelligence. While this could boost American competitiveness, it raises significant concerns about accountability, national security, and regulatory challenges. Policymakers must ensure that innovation does not lead to unregulated power concentration in technology sectors.

Pentagon Expands Computer Warfare Capabilities as Digital Battlefields Grow

The Pentagon is intensifying its focus on computer warfare, viewing it as a crucial frontline capability for modern defense. This shift highlights the importance of cyber operations in disrupting adversaries without traditional conflict. However, the expansion of cyber warfare presents risks such as uncontrollable malware and unclear rules of engagement, necessitating careful oversight.

Former Google Engineer Convicted of Stealing Confidential AI Technology

A federal jury convicted a former Google engineer of economic espionage for stealing trade secrets related to AI technologies to benefit entities linked to China. This case highlights national security concerns regarding AI, prompting increased internal security measures in tech companies and reinforcing the view of AI as a strategic national asset.

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