(NewsUSA) - The AI+ Expo, taking place on June 2-4 in Washington, D.C., seeks to spark discussions of ideas and initiatives related to the intersection of AI, emerging technology, and national security.

The AI+ Expo is sponsored by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI.

Don’t Miss the Drones

A highlight of this year’s AI+ Expo is a drone assembly workshop, where attendees can learn about the inner workings of drones, try simulators to learn and practice speed and agility skills, and watch professional pilot demos.

In addition, the Expo is hosting an interservice U.S. Military Drone Competition in partnership with the U.S. National Drone Association. The competition is open to all military service members, as well as high school and college students. Apply on the Expo website to sign up.

Engage in The Exchange: Innovation and National Security

This year’s Exchange is the fourth in a series, and brings together AI experts from the government, private sector, and scientific community to examine how to advance collaboration in pursuit of national security. The SCSP Exchanges were inspired by Dr. Ash Carter, the 25th Secretary of Defense, whose pioneering work initiated a transformational change across the U.S. government. The Exchange is set to continue the extraordinary discussions and connections made during previous events.

Hone Your Hacking Skills

The SCSP is teaming up with AGI House to co-host its third—and biggest—Hackathon yet! Join 300 hundreds of passionate builders for hands-on problem solving, rapid prototyping, and creative experimentation at the intersection of AI and real-world impact. Apply at the Expo website to secure your spot for a unique opportunity to push boundaries and build something meaningful.

Find Your New Career

This year’s Expo includes an ai+careers area for job seekers looking to level up their career as well as those seeking a better understanding of how AI is shaping the workforce.

The Talent Marketplace, hosted by ClearanceJobs, provides opportunities for meetings with employers from industry, academia, and government. Attendees can build a profile in the Cvent app to access on-site interviews, resume reviews, career coaching, and networking opportunities.

At the ai+careers Stage, attendees can join live conversations with experts on how AI and other emerging technologies are transforming work, education, policy, and security. Interactive booths provide opportunities to engage with organizations at the forefront of AI and emerging tech innovation.

Read More About It

A dedicated bookstore space will host engaging book talks, signings, discussions, and Q&As. Attendees can purchase books on AI, geopolitics, history, and technology, and meet their favorite authors.

The AI+ Expo is free and open to the public. Visit expo.scsp.ai to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - “Silent Horizons" by Chad Robichaux

In this new military thriller, Foster Quinn is more than a former Force Recon Marine: he’s a husband, father, and faithful brother to his teammates. When one of them is killed during a high-risk operation, Foster struggles to balance his roles as a dedicated family man and an elite warrior.

Then he gets the chance to step in where his best friend left off, assuming a cover identity that will pave the way for a critical mission. On his own in a new country, he must carefully choose who to trust. One wrong move could spell disaster.

From former Force Recon Marine Chad Robichaux and Navy TOPGUN fighter pilot Jack Stewart comes a thriller that gives readers a pulse-pounding glimpse into the clandestine side of special operations. It’s perfect for fans of Jason Bourne and James Reece and makes a great Father’s Day gift.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/43FrimM.

“Vested Interest” by Bailey Herrington

Vested interest: "a special concern or stake in maintaining or influencing a condition, arrangement or action especially for selfish ends." — Merriam Webster Dictionary.

In “Vested Interest: A David Elliott Mystery,” an attractive, intelligent young member of David Elliott’s congregation disappears; fear and ugly rumors spread throughout the community and the congregation. After her strangled body is found, the autopsy reveals startling details. The investigation, hampered by a lack of solid evidence, proceeds slowly. When another member of David Elliott’s congregation dies mysteriously, the increasing anxiety rips the church apart and intensifies David’s doubts about his ability and self-worth. David finds evidence that appears to incriminate members of his congregation as killers. His daring plan to confront the killers erupts in violence and death before the killers can be brought to justice.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3S5X857.

“Portrait of a Feminist” by Marianna Marlowe

Infused with a passion for justice, this expansive memoir by a biracial and multicultural feminist will appeal to fans of “Crying in H Mart” and “How to Raise a Feminist Son.”

With writing that is simultaneously wise and shimmering, nuanced and direct, Marlowe confronts her own experiences with the hallmarks of patriarchy. Interweaving stories of life as the child of a Catholic Peruvian mother and an atheist American father in a family that lived many years abroad, she examines realities familiar to so many of us — unequal marriages, class structures, misogynist literature, and patriarchal religion. Through braided memories that flash against the present day, “Portrait of a Feminist” explores the essential questions of feminism in our time: What does it look like to live in defense of feminism? How should feminism be evolving today?

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4iPNyhE.

“Invaders of the Heartland” by James Bultema

After LAPD brass scrutinized his split-second decision in a deadly bank shootout, Detective Jake Dalton left the city behind for his hometown—Fairview, Oklahoma. But his return to small-town life is anything but quiet.

Taking over a struggling four-person police department, Jake believes he’s left big-city crime in the past—until the Chinese mafia moves in, turning Fairview into the hub of a ruthless billion-dollar marijuana empire.

When Jake sounds the alarm, federal agents dismiss him, and local officials look the other way. Outgunned and outnumbered, he stands alone as the last line of defense against a brutal syndicate determined to seize total control. One wrong move could cost him everything.

Written by a retired LAPD officer, Invaders of the Heartland is a gritty, high-stakes police procedural brimming with real-world authenticity, crime, and conspiracy. The story may be fiction, but the crisis is very real.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4iV5GGU.

(NewsUSA) - "Retirement Planning That Delivers" by Pete Bosse, PhD, CFP

It’s not unusual to fear the unknown when it comes to retirement, such as: What will I do with all my free time? What do I still want to accomplish? Will I have enough money to live on? How will I stay connected to friends from work? How will I stay healthy in retirement? Answers to all these questions and many more are contained in this book.

While other books focus on the numbers and the math — the spreadsheets, savings goals and investment strategies — “Retirement Planning That Delivers” focuses on 80% lifestyle, 20% finances. What if retirement could be a time to rediscover your passions, deepen relationships and make every day fulfilling — without the constant worry about finances? Whether you’re just starting your journey or feel like you’re behind, this guide offers practical, actionable advice to help you take control of your retirement today.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/42VpUeW.

“The Sooner You Forget” by Christopher Bensinger

In this little-known chapter of World War II history, a young American soldier must reconcile what happened to him at the hands of the Nazis — and his own government.

Soon to be eighteen, Charlton Buckley is looking to escape the grips of his dead-end Wisconsin hometown and abusive father. He channels his youthful enthusiasm toward piloting for the Air Force — but then his plane is shot down on his first mission, and he’s captured and sent to a German stalag. As the Nazis’ war efforts start to fail, they pull Jewish soldiers from the Allied ranks and transport them to a secret labor death camp. Despite his Christian background, Buckley is taken, and there he experiences horrors beyond imagination.

Navigating trauma, faith, love and loyalty, “The Sooner You Forget” is the story of one man’s search to find true liberation decades after imprisonment. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4c6qedT.

BookTrib’s Lit Picks: First Chapters From the Hottest Books

Here’s a chance for readers to get a sneak peek into some of the hottest books and new voices being talked about in literary circles.

BookTrib.com — a leading source for book reviews, news, interviews and articles — offers readers the Winter 2025 edition of its popular Lit Picks ebook collection of first chapters from the hottest new books. Featuring excerpts from over 50 new releases and hidden gems, “BookTrib Lit Picks” is the perfect read!

A free digital sampler, “BookTrib Lit Picks” includes a sampling of contemporary and historical fiction, thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, self-help, memoirs and more from Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins to award-winning small presses and works from independently published authors. Get your free download at https://booktrib.com/litpicks.

“Voices of the Civil War” by Barry Robbins

Step into the hearts and minds of those who lived through America's darkest chapter with "Voices of the Civil War", a groundbreaking work that brings history to vivid life through meticulously crafted first-person narratives.

More than just a retelling of battles and dates, "Voices of the Civil War" plunges you into the human experiences and wrenching emotions of a nation at war with itself. Feel the agonizing weight of command, the adrenaline-pumping terror of combat, the soaring hope of emancipation and the heart-rending anguish of a country torn asunder.

Prepare to be transported back in time and forever changed by the poignant, personal voices within these pages. You'll walk away with a profound new appreciation for the impossible choices, the inspiring resilience and the staggering human toll of the war that forged modern America. Purchase at https://2ly.link/26Qn3

(Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer at Stride) - Summer is almost here, and the educators at K12-powered online schools have created your ultimate guide to fend off summer learning loss. These tips can help keep your child’s mind active and engaged during the break—when learning often takes a backseat and academic progress can slide.  

Research shows that students in grades 1-8 lose around 17-34% of their English language arts and math gains over the summer. Once fall rolls around, teachers typically dedicate the first couple months to helping students catch up. 

While teachers will help your child get back on track in the fall, you can take proactive steps this summer to help them maintain and even grow their skills and knowledge. 

1. Enroll in a summer course. 

Summer school is one of the most effective ways to prevent summer learning loss. Online options, like K12-powered online schools, make it easy to fit learning into your family’s summer routine. Whether reinforcing challenging concepts or exploring new and interesting subjects, online summer school provides enrichment in a flexible setting.  

2. Read for fun. 

Reading can boost cognitive performance, language development, and academic achievement and decrease symptoms of stress. Visit your local library and let your child pick books that interest them to nurture a lifelong love for reading. 

3. Get career focused. 

High school students can get real-life experience in different career paths through activities like volunteering, job shadowing, and internships. The K12 Career Services Center offers online resources, including an internship search tool, to help them get started. 

4. Explore community activities. 

Local classes, academic and recreational camps, and community sports can provide structure and purpose for children who prefer the routine of the school year. Whether it’s a pottery class, a STEM camp, or a soccer team, these activities help develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.  

5. Play to learn. 

Games—whether classic arcade, puzzles, or role-playing—can boost motivation and engagement. Add an educational twist, and learning becomes entertainment. Language apps like Duolingo and platforms like K12 Skills Arcade are great tools that turn gaming into brain-boosting fun. 

By incorporating one or more of these activities into your child’s summer routine, you can help prevent learning loss and keep their mind engaged! Small, intentional changes like these can make a big difference and set your child up for a strong, confident start to the new school year. 

(NewsUSA) - Demand for apartments is at a record high, with renters signing new leases and renewing their existing stays in droves. Residents’ expectations have also increased as they want their renting experience to be as seamless as the rest of their online life. That means integrated technology, financial wellness tools and rewards for their loyalty.

RealPage, the leading provider of AI-enabled software platforms to the real estate industry, is addressing the needs of modern residents through an innovative technology called LOFT. RealPage created this new mobile app as a one-stop solution for a fulfilling apartment lifestyle from leasing to living, with easy move-in guidance, a financial wellness platform and a loyalty program to earn rewards when residents pay rent on time. Residents can pay their way, through their digital wallet, by snapping a picture of a check or splitting it into smaller chunks. Since launching in early 2025, RealPage’s LOFT is already being offered by more than 500 apartment properties across America, giving more than three million residents access to LOFT, with many more to come.

“Residents, and especially digital natives, demand digital experiences as part their apartment living lifestyles,” said Isabelle Meyer Stapf, RealPage Senior Vice President and General Manager, Payments. “Through LOFT, RealPage is prioritizing financial wellness for renters, bringing them solutions to earn rewards, make flexible rent payments and build their credit.”

LOFT also simplifies the renter’s journey from leasing to living. LOFT Leasing is a first-of-its-kind leasing experience that guides residents through application, approval and signing – with AI capabilities to streamline the back and forth. LOFT Moving enables a simplified moving experience for residents with a configurable moving checklist and integrations with local providers to order utilities, internet and moving services. And LOFT Loyalty allows residents to earn points for paying rent online and on time with any payment method. Residents can then redeem those points for rewards from airline and hotel travel to local restaurants and movie theatres.

Property managers find value in LOFT, as their residents have one app for all of their essential tasks. Jess Molasky, Chief Operating Officer of Ovation, a RealPage customer who owns and manages apartments throughout the country added, “If I can reward my residents to show up, if I can reward my residents to make payments on time, and again, if I can have that stronger relationship because their moving experience was a good one, we become their ally.”

Visit loftliving.com to learn more.

Photo caption: New LOFT app by RealPage allows residents to earn rewards for paying rent on time and the ability to make flexible rent payments, all while building credit

(Tax Watch America) - It's tax season and consulting firms are touting their quick and easy services to relieve the stress caused by filing complex returns.

However, this year, businesses should be on the lookout for AI-driven "pop up" technology firms pretending to be expert tax consultants—their speedy "solutions" might land you an audit rather than tax credits.

One of the worst of these shady "fly-by-night" scamsters is a company called SPRX. Their CEO Dominic Vitucci is notorious for making claims that are too good to be true or flat out misleading, ranging from attacking the expertise of CPAs to downplaying the risks of IRS audits.

For example, Vitucci argues SPRX's AI model represents the true "expert" in the field rather than CPAs, stating, "You know what's a real expert? An AI model that is trained on the entire body of R&D tax credit rules."

He even admits SPRX "entirely automates the R&D tax credit claiming process using AI."

But to credibly claim R&D tax credits requires careful legal and regulatory analysis—beyond what AI models are capable of.

These types of claims echo the 2023 IRS "Dirty Dozen" list, which included firms that aggressively marketed the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) with misleading promises. The IRS also cautioned against over-relying on AI for tax filings, emphasizing that AI lacks the ability to make complex, accurate legal determinations.

A true tax professional would acknowledge the risk of overreliance on AI, yet SPRX's CEO never does. Nor does he explain what steps his firm takes to ensure their AI is generating accurate and defensible analysis for their clients.

Vitucci tries to console potential clients, stating SPRX will "represent them in an IRS exam if an agent ever questions our report." However, SPRX hasn't been around long enough for any of their clients to have been audited.

SPRX fails to mention that if their AI-generated tax advice results in an audit, their customers, not the firms themselves, are held legally liable. It remains unclear if SPRX would also represent clients in these scenarios during court proceedings.

AI can be risky during audit preparedness too. AI-generated claims may lack the necessary documentation and substantiation required to withstand an IRS audit, leaving taxpayers exposed to financial and legal risk.

All of these false or misleading claims paint a clear picture of SPRX: their overreliance on AI for R&D tax credits is a risk businesses cannot afford to take.