Digital Government
New bill aims to bring SNAP card security up to credit card standards
Security standards for SNAP cards have not kept pace with industry advancements, lawmakers say.
Artificial Intelligence
AI could help clear food stamp backlogs plaguing some states
States are increasingly seeing it as a way to better process public benefit programs amid workforce shortages and outdated technology issues. But change can be incremental amid policy and money concerns.
Digital Government
USDA's equity commission urges 'sweeping and generational change'
The independent commission’s report also included some to-do items for lawmakers.
Digital Government
USDA seeks fellows for its new digital service team
The tour-of-duty positions will “act as firefighters” to address pressing challenges across the Department of Agriculture, according to the agency’s CIO.
Cybersecurity
Proposed law aims to boost food and agriculture industry’s cyber posture
The bill would direct multiple stakeholders to conduct exercises that simulate when the food and agriculture sectors are hacked.
Artificial Intelligence
2023 was just the start of generative AI’s rise, government and industry leaders say
Generative artificial intelligence isn’t just a buzzword, it’s here to stay.
Digital Government
USDA unveils new data strategy
The Department of Agriculture’s new guidance builds on previous agency plans, and looks to improve data sharing and incorporate artificial intelligence into analytics operations.
Digital Government
USDA hopes more data access will improve states’ SNAP delivery
The Agriculture Department is also working to help states address card skimming and other persistent problems in the SNAP program.
Artificial Intelligence
Agriculture Department is taking a ‘cautious’ approach to generative AI
The agency’s data “also needs to be in a condition… to support those kinds of tools,” according to USDA chief data officer and responsible AI officer, Chris Alvares.
Policy
GAO: USDA violated the Anti-Deficiency Act while planning its relocation of science agencies
House Democrats renewed calls to institute tighter regulation of agency relocations in light of the watchdog agency's findings.
Modernization
The ‘future is at risk’ for government’s biggest civilian payroll provider, study finds
The National Finance Center — a part of the Agriculture Department — provides payroll services for over 170 agencies, but a lot of them aren’t happy with the services they’re getting.
Digital Government
How the Agriculture Department is ‘hardwiring’ customer experience into its work
The department’s chief customer experience officer, Simchah Suveyke-Bogin, told Nextgov/FCW that her primary goal is building capacity for customer experience.
People
USDA CIO talks modernization, CX priorities
The Agriculture Department has made strides to modernize tech systems and improve service delivery, but there’s more work to do, according to Chief Information Officer Gary Washington.
Digital Government
3 Customer Experience Tips for Feds from Feds
Two professional customer experience experts offered advice for other practitioners across the federal ranks this month.
Digital Government
USDA ‘Did Not Establish Performance Goals’ For its Broadband Program, Watchdog Says
A report from the Government Accountability Office found that the Agriculture Department’s ReConnect program lacks set performance objectives and a detailed fraud mitigation framework.
Emerging Tech
TMF Announces $95 Million in New Funding Focused on Security and Networks
The Technology Modernization Fund is announcing a new set of investments to help three agencies meet White House cybersecurity objectives.
Modernization
USDA, Justice Launch Website To Report Anticompetitive Behavior in Agriculture
The new portal will allow farmers and ranchers to report unfair behavior from other producers in the industry.
Emerging Tech
USDA’s Bot Program Saves More Than 150,000 Hours Per Year
The agency reached $5.3 million in cost avoidance while 27 cohorts of employees graduated from its reskilling program, Agriculture officials say.
Emerging Tech
Government Considers VR for Training and Therapy
A slate of contracting calls demonstrate ways agencies are putting the emerging technology to use.
Digital Government
GSA’s First Centers of Excellence Customer Touts $50M in Cost Avoidance
After three years, the Agriculture Department launched a cloud office, consolidated contact centers and stood up more than a hundred dashboards.
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