New Delhi, Sept. 29 -- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed Pentagon personnel to use advanced intelligence, cyber and artificial intelligence capabilities to identify and disrupt foreign interference targeting upcoming US elections, according to a report by Axios.

The directive reportedly comes as the threat of foreign interference has remained a recurring concern during US election cycles over the past many years. And, the latest effort will involve some of the most advanced AI capabilities used by the US government to detect and counter potential threats.

According to the news outlet, Hegseth authorised a memo on September 22 outlining three related directives aimed at protecting US elections.

The first directs the Pentago...