Emerging Tech

NSF pitches Congress on the potential of quantum technology

The National Science Foundation made a case for robust congressional funding in emerging tech research following budget cuts to the agency this year.

Cybersecurity

Critical infrastructure cyberattacks pushed NSA to unmask thousands of U.S. identities through spying law

The number of U.S. identity unmaskings NSA conducted in response to requests from other agencies through Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act tripled in 2023 compared to the prior year.

Sponsor Content

Finally, Generative AI for Government

While blocking access to platforms like ChatGPT might shield government data from public AI models, it doesn't provide a proactive, secure alternative for agency employees.

Modernization

NASA’s long-term missions could be hurt by budget caps, lawmakers warn

House Science Chairman Frank Lucas R-Okla., said Congress needs to provide NASA with “sufficient support” to carry out its work.

Ideas

Federal agencies need to rethink culture in the fight against ransomware

COMMENTARY | Focusing efforts on risk management isn't about checking boxes – it's about building and changing agency culture.

Cybersecurity

Critical infrastructure blueprint gets long-awaited update but maintains status quo on key sectors

The memorandum reaffirms the statutory authority of America’s top cyber agency, but doesn’t update the primary list of critical sectors that can be targeted in cyberattacks, notably leaving out space infrastructure

Ideas

Why SD-WAN is the future of government networks

COMMENTARY | The revolution in IT workloads requires flexible, adaptable networking solutions.

Acquisition

Agencies awarded record-breaking $179B to small businesses in FY23

The Small Business Administration’s annual procurement scorecard found that 22 federal agencies received an “A” rating or higher when it came to meeting their contracting goals.

Sponsor Content

Adapting to the AI Landscape: Strategies for Technological Evolution in the Public Sector

Within the public sector, AI extends beyond mere automation and plays a pivotal role in revolutionizing processes, fostering efficiency, and ensuring informed decision-making.

Artificial Intelligence

Feds need to be careful when tapping generative AI for work

Human review of AI-generated outputs is critical, OPM says in new guidance for government employees.

Cybersecurity

VA is warning veterans about Change Healthcare cyberattack, secretary says

“There’s no confirmation yet” that veterans’ data was leaked by the ransomware attack, according to the VA secretary, but the department is proactively alerting millions of veterans and beneficiaries to be safe. 

Digital Government

IRS considers future of Direct File pilot

The agency hasn’t decided if it’ll field the program long term but does say that user feedback of the tool has largely been positive.

Artificial Intelligence

DHS launches new AI safety and security board

The board will be made up of 22 representatives from private sector, government and academia and will advise Secretary Mayorkas on risk mitigation for AI in critical infrastructure. 

Defense

The Army is trying to identify all the obstacles to adopting AI in 100 days

Launched in March, the effort is looking at poisoned datasets, adversarial attacks, Trojans, and more.

Defense

Deal will allow military spouses to telework from overseas

The move to allow federal employees to telework while overseas with their service member spouses is part of a larger effort to boost recruitment of military spouses.

Emerging Tech

Bipartisan bill seeks to grow NASA program using drones to fight wildfires

New legislation attempts to improve NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response to Operations program so firefighters can more effectively use drones.

Ideas

The case for making Direct File permanent

COMMENTARY | The Direct File pilot was a landmark event for the tax system and a victory for the civic technology movement. Now its time to make the program available to all taxpayers on a permanent basis.

Artificial Intelligence

How can feds evaluate the effectiveness of different AIs for various government tasks?

If you work with them enough, AI models almost start to seem like people, with each one having a specific set of strengths, weaknesses and quirks.