Scroll To Continue
Artificial Intelligence

Lawmakers demand review of VA’s AI-driven contract cuts

Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Angus King, I-Maine, said the use of AI to identify agency contracts for termination “adds an entire new level of unease connected to the decision-making, security, governance, and quality control of the entire process.”

Ideas

AI.gov: A missed opportunity for true innovation and fiscal responsibility

COMMENTARY | The internal chatbot initiative is yet another example of taxpayer dollars being squandered

Modernization

VA needs to better plan appointment scheduling modernization, watchdog says

The Government Accountability Office said VA “has not yet determined how the modernized and updated products used for scheduling will interface and be used to pull and combine the data” from its current VistA electronic health record system and the new Oracle Health software.

Sponsor Content

The High Cost of Improper Payments: How Agencies Can Mitigate Risks Effectively and Efficiently

Government travel and expense management ensures security, reduces waste, protects data, and keeps employees focused on critical missions.

Emerging Tech

New NSF telescope aims to discover unknowns in space

The Legacy Survey of Space and Time telescope at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory leverages novel technological systems to search for interstellar objects and study dark matter.

Cybersecurity

DHS expects Iran’s cyber forces will target US networks after strikes on nuclear sites

Iran has often targeted U.S. digital systems. Last year, Iranian hackers pilfered and distributed sensitive documents from inside President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.

People

Trump watchdog nominees draw congressional scrutiny for political histories

Labor inspector general nominee and former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., praised President Donald Trump during his confirmation hearing, while Veterans Affairs IG nominee Cheryl Mason, who was a senior advisor to VA Secretary Doug Collins, said she wasn’t involved in any decisions at the department.

Emerging Tech

Microsoft announces advancement in quantum error correction

The company said it is able to reduce error rates in its quantum computing capabilities by 1,000-fold thanks to four-dimensional geometric codes.

Digital Government

Lawmakers propose digital delivery option for GI Bill documents

Bipartisan legislation seeks to provide veterans and their beneficiaries with the ability to receive electronic correspondence about their GI Bill education benefits. 

Emerging Tech

G7 nations commit to advancing AI and quantum

The seven member nations agreed to collaborate on both artificial intelligence and quantum technology research and policy.

Sponsor Content

How AI powered federal service delivery can take agencies from reactive to proactive, at scale

AI empowers federal agencies to shift from reactive to proactive service, enhancing efficiency, personalization, and trust in citizen experiences.

Emerging Tech

Estonia begins laying the keystone for a great Baltic Drone Wall

The ultimate goal is to fully cover hundreds of miles of the border with Russia so that no drone can pass over the wall without being detected and possibly destroyed.

Modernization

Democrats press Palantir about reported creation of IRS ‘mega-database’

The possible creation of a shareable, governmentwide database of Americans’ personal information would be a “surveillance nightmare,” 10 House and Senate Democrats wrote in a letter to the tech company.

Artificial Intelligence

USPTO touts success in AI applications

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has initiated several programs — such as the Scout chatbot assistant and PE2E search tool — in an effort to streamline the work done by human employees.

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI awarded $200M DOD prototype contract

The Defense Department is eyeing administrative operations, health care and cyber as areas with potential use cases for the company's technology.

Emerging Tech

T-Mobile is using 5G, drones and AI to help first responders

The provider’s T-Priority 5G network slicing solution aims to give first responders enhanced connectivity services in disaster zones.

Modernization

VA official touts progress on EHR modernization project

The agency is undertaking “a no-fail mission to deliver a Federal EHR at every VA medical center by 2031,” VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence said.

People

Former USAID official, three contractors plead guilty in $550M bribery scheme

Their decades-long conspiracy involved rigged contracts, NBA tickets, mortgage payments, securities fraud and cash.

People

Georgetown leverages ex-fed tech experts with new fellowship program

Tech policy experts and U.S. Digital Service alums will join an inaugural program that aims to advance civic technology, while offering experience and insights to public service-focused students.

Digital Government

IRS isn’t sufficiently checking the performance of its identity proofing vendor

The identity validation service, ID.me, is the only option for taxpayers looking to access the more sensitive online services offered by the IRS.

Artificial Intelligence

House bill would task NSA with developing AI security playbook to counter China

Lawmakers want the NSA to develop guidance to help companies better protect the development of their advanced AI technologies from threat actors.