Matt Scherer
San Antonio
Want to illuminate your content message to others? I can help you with your content and connection strategy.
Articles by Matt Scherer
Cost of Operation Epic Fury goes beyond billions already spent
A U.S. sailor signals to launch an F/A-18F Super Hornet in March on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford in support of Operation Epic Fury in the Mediterranean Sea. Largely absent from the conversation on the costs of war are the long-term costs of caring for the men and women who are conducting these operations. Long after the conflict ends and the headlines disappear, America will still have an obligation to support the veterans who served, our guest columnist writes.
An AI Crash Is a Real Possibility
Traders at the New York Stock Exchange analyzing the market following the release of Nvidia’s quarterly earnings report, November 2025. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago.) The AI boom is already the largest capital investment project in history, running a price tag greater than the Manhattan Project, Interstate Highway System, and Apollo program combined. Estimates of the total cost of the data center buildout run as high as $7 trillion.
Here's how discharge papers will serve veterans and their families later in life
On this Memorial Day, our guest columnist implores Military families to have a quiet conversation with their parents and other loved ones about the location of veteran's discharge papers. Ethan Rocke/Ethan E. Rocke/Contributor Memorial Day allows a lot of us to visit our families and friends at cemeteries. It’s also a good time to discuss the location of the discharge paperwork for veterans still with us.
How veterans can navigate the VA to get bathroom safety devices and adaptive equipment for their homes
One of the most important things any veteran can do is remember the name of their Veterans Administration primary care manager, especially if they need adaptive equipment for their bathroom. Sam, a veteran, is just finishing a stint in a rehab hospital. His wife asked me for help in getting shower bars from the VA for their home. When she and her husband couldn’t provide the name of their VA primary care manager, I advised them to contact the VA to obtain that person’s information first.
Department of Veterans Affairs streamlines claims process to deliver faster payments to veteran families
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Faster time and quicker payments for veteran families submitting a VA disability claim are now taking place to add those who serve to obtain them. According to the VA, the organization was required to separately address claims for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and Survivors Pension .
VA streamlines claims process for faster veteran survivor payments
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Faster times and quicker payments for veterans submitting a VA disability claim are now taking place to help those who serve obtain them. According to the VA, the organization was required to separately address claims for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation [va.gov] and Survivors Pension [va.gov] .
Veterans can now pursue disability claims for Agent Orange exposure in more locations
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Veterans may be eligible to file a disability claim with the Veterans Administration based on exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides in a wider range of locations, according to Jane Babcock, one of the top American veteran service advocates. "Veterans should remember Agent Orange & other herbicides were used in other places," Babcock said. Babcock said elderly veterans must have served for any length of time in one of the qualifying locations between Jan.
Veterans encouraged to serve as election judges for 2026 elections
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Military veterans are being encouraged to volunteer as election judges for the 2026 elections, where they can play a crucial role in supporting the democratic process. "Veterans are friendly and communicative with voters," said Mark Overberg, a national veteran voting advocate who encourages vets to volunteer in their local elections. Veterans bring unique qualities to election sites that benefit all voters, particularly newcomers to the process.
Veterans often skip out on the health care they're owed
A veteran is examined at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. Veterans Day provides opportunities for families and other significant influencers to discuss the processes to help retired military professionals obtain the benefits they deserve. Stacey Wescott/TNS A security guard stands near the entrance of Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio.
Rep. Gonzales, veterans don't need another medal. They need benefits help.
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales has proposed a new medal for those who served in support of Operation Midnight Hammer, a strategic mission to damage Iran's nuclear sites. How about instead focusing on benefits for veterans? Ronald Cortes Matt Scherer is the co-founder of Military Transition Roundtable that works with veterans in transition from military service to the civilian workplace. He also served as a volunteer American Legion service officer.
Connecticut can set a national standard for worker protection in the AI age. Original
As if Connecticut workers didn't have enough to worry about at the moment, here comes "bossware." Bossware refers to automated technologies employers can use to track their workers' activities, spy on their actions, and even make automated decisions about their employment status, benefits, pay, work schedules, and more - often in ways that threaten their health, safety, privacy, and legal rights.
Tech Talk: Talking Tech with Grace Gedye and Matt Scherer On AI Governance
CDT’s Tech Talk is a podcast where we dish on tech and Internet policy, while also explaining what these policies mean to our daily lives. You can find Tech Talk on Spotify, SoundCloud, and iTunes, as well as Stitcher and TuneIn. Recently, legislative bodies across the United States have exploded as lawmakers in over 10 states introduced several closely related bills to tackle AI- systems and their impacts on various facets of society.
Several States Are About to Make a Big Mistake on AI - POLITICO
To consumer and worker advocates like us, this situation practically screams out for regulation. Unfortunately, Congress has struggled for years to pass meaningful new regulations on technology, and there’s no guarantee that will change soon. State legislatures are picking up the slack, with a number of AI bills currently in the works — but they won’t solve the problem either, unless they’re reformed.
EU’s AI Act: CDT Europe responds to the European Commission’s Proposal on High-Risk Classification
Also by Rachele Ceraulo, CDT Europe Advocacy Intern We are approaching the final weeks of negotiations on the EU’s AI Act. Last week, the European Commission’s compromise text on the classification of high-risk AI systems was leaked to the media. The Commission’s decision to table this compromise is telling, as it indicates that the question of high-risk classification is a point of intense negotiations between the parties.
Global Efforts to Address Plastic Pollution: An FDA Perspective
Home International Programs International Programs News, Speeches, and Publications From a Global Perspective Global Efforts to Address Plastic Pollution: An FDA Perspective From a Global Perspective FROM A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE By Matt Scherer September 27, 2023 An arm of the United Nations is working to develop global consensus on how to reduce the rapid increase in plastic pollution.
Biden Admin Must Take Action On Worker Surveillance
Companies across the economy are increasingly using electronic surveillance to track and monitor their workforce - with serious impacts on worker power and health.... To view the full article, register now.
Biden Admin Must Take Action On Worker Surveillance
By Matt Scherer and Reed Shaw (July 11, 2023, 5:52 PM EDT) -- Companies across the economy are increasingly using electronic surveillance to track and monitor their workforce - with serious impacts on worker power and health.... Stay ahead of the curve In the legal profession, information is the key to success. You have to know what's happening with clients, competitors, practice areas, and industries. Law360 provides the intelligence you need to remain an expert and beat the competition.
CDT Comments to California Privacy Protection Agency on Automated Decision-making and Risk Assessments
The California Privacy Protection Agency initiated a rulemaking process in 2021 to implement the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act. During this process, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has urged the Agency to craft its regulations to effectively protect sensitive data, establish data minimization and use/purpose limitations, and provide transparency and mitigate discriminatory outcomes in automated decision-making.
CDT Comments to NTIA on Privacy, Equity, and Civil Rights
In 2021, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) began a process to engage stakeholders on how commercial data practices impact marginalized communities. Most recently, the NTIA issued a request for comments that inquires about the widespread ramifications of these practices for many communities, which will inform a report by NTIA addressing issues at the intersection of privacy, equity, and civil rights.
Helping others…. how this LinkedIn’s hidden feature will help you grow your online brand
With a growing reputation and nearly a billion worldwide users, LinkedIn is well-known for job seekers. Still, this social media portal has a hidden aspect to it. To me, it’s helping others. As a LinkedIn coach and teacher, I have shown others some amazing stories of how people have helped others. The Afghanistan withdrawal, hurricanes and other events have shown me how LinkedIn users have helped others. I want to suggest some simple ways to help others through LinkedIn. The first way?
CDT Comments Scrutinize NYC's Revised Rules That Leave Even More Workers Unprotected From Algorithmic Bias
Last year, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection began a rulemaking process to implement NYC’s Local Law 144 that requires bias audits for the use of automated employment decision tools (AEDTs).
Press Release: CDT & Top Civil Rights Groups Publish Standards to Ensure Fairness in Hiring Practices that Use Automated Tech
In partnership with leading civil rights organizations, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) today published new recommendations and guidance to ensure that tools used to make employment decisions are fair and equitable.
Five Key Takeaways from New EEOC and DOJ Guidance on Disability Discrimination in Algorithm-Driven Hiring
On May 12, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) became the first federal agencies to publish guidance explicitly addressing disability discrimination in automated hiring assessments, which are increasingly used by major employers. CDT commended the agencies’ work as a significant move in an area where CDT has long pushed for greater accountability.
Ableism And Disability Discrimination In New Surveillance Technologies: How new surveillance technologies in education, policing, health care, and the workplace disproportionately harm disabled people
[ Full report – PDF ] [ Plain language version – PDF ] Introduction Algorithmic technologies are everywhere. At this very moment, you can be sure students around the world are complaining about homework, sharing gossip, and talking about politics — all while computer programs observe every web search they make and every social media post they create, sending information about their activities to school officials who might punish them for what they look at.
CDT Joins Others in Urging White House OSTP to Make Civil Rights Top Tech Priority Across Hiring, Credit, Housing
The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) joined Upturn, the ACLU, the Leadership Conference, and other organizations in a letter to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and memos to key federal agencies about their oversight of tech practices across hiring, credit, and housing.
Hold Your Rocks, America — SMERCONISH
Like millions of others in the Lone Star State, I am living without power following a once-in-a-century snowstorm that has crippled our state’s infrastructure. Without a shower or a means to shave, I am in what some military guys term as living in “field conditions” – just the bare essentials. So, when I heard that Senator Ted Cruz abandoned our plight and decided to jet off to Cancun, Mexico, I was enraged. Millions of Texans want to throw a rock or two at Ted Cruz.
Using AI to Improve Hiring Legally and Ethically
Artificial intelligence (AI) and the ability to predict outcomes based on analysis of patterns are helping advance almost every area of human society, ranging from autonomous vehicles to predictive medicine. The business world derives great value from AI-driven tools and leverages data in almost every function.
4 Questions Every Manufacturer Should Ask Before Upgrading to Industrial IoT Platforms
As 2017 comes to a close, more and more organizations should—if that haven’t already—begin discussions on how the Internet of Things (IoT) can improve their operational capacity. In turn, many may decide to pursue further “smart manufacturing” options as they make changes or retool to take advantage of the lower costs and improved production IoT functionality can add to their operations.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Matt
Contact Matt, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack