Emerging Tech
Lawmaker: Human Problem at Pentagon Worse than Tech Problem
Rep. Jim Cooper says Congress shouldn’t accept a government topped by acting political appointees.
Modernization
Pennsylvania Becomes First State to Use Automated System to Expunge Criminal Records
After passing the country’s first ‘clean slate’ bill, Pennsylvania is debuting a system that will automatically clear the records of all who are eligible.
Policy
Supreme Court Rejects ‘Contrived’ Defense of Citizenship Question on 2020 Census
The high court’s ruling called into question the Trump administration's justification for including the citizenship question but does not preclude the administration from asking residents whether or not they are citizens.
Artificial Intelligence
AI, Cyber Get Big Boost in Senate-Passed NDAA
The legislation would free up some $600 million for AI and cyber research, lock down the federal supply chain and prep the Pentagon for the cloud.
Cybersecurity
FDA Warns Certain Insulin Pumps Could Be Hacked
The Food and Drug Administration warned that some Medtronic insulin pumps could be manipulated by bad actors.
Policy
Congress Passes Bill That Forces IRS to Revamp Taxpayer Experience
The bill passed the House and Senate earlier this month and would usher in major changes to the way IRS engages with millions of customers.
Ideas
What Is a ‘Smart City’ Supposed To Look Like?
The vision of the technology-powered metropolis of the future is being sold with images that bear little resemblance to the real world.
Artificial Intelligence
Spy Agencies Turn to AI to Stay Ahead of Adversaries
In a world where everyone can collect data on everything, speedy analysis could make or break U.S. national security, a top intelligence official says.
Artificial Intelligence
Mark Zuckerberg Is Rethinking Deepfakes
In an interview, the Facebook CEO hinted that the company is trying a new approach to misleading videos created through artificial intelligence.
Modernization
Lawmakers: OMB ‘Skirting the Intent of the Law’ With New Data Center Policy
The administration’s shift in focus to optimization, rather than closures, is not what lawmakers envisioned when they passed FITARA.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Grapple with Improving Election Security While Respecting States’ Rights
Experts say paper ballots are the way to go, but pushed back against efforts to federalize elections.
Modernization
Shifting Priorities, Metrics Lead To Relatively Flat FITARA Grades
The latest scorecard showed agencies are making progress in key areas. But new metrics and a few backslides brought most grades back down.
Artificial Intelligence
Non-Discriminatory AI Requires a Human Touch, Experts Say
Interdisciplinary teams that include social scientists can help curb bias, experts told Congress.
Cybersecurity
Agencies Are Leaving Sensitive Data Vulnerable to Hackers, Congress Says
Amid growing threats from China, Iran and Russia, most agencies are struggling to put in place even the most basic cybersecurity measures, according to congressional researchers.
Modernization
OMB Updates Data Center Optimization Initiative
The new policy bans agencies from budgeting resources toward new or expanded agency-owned data centers without permission from the Office of Management and Budget.
Policy
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge on State Code Copyrights
Georgia holds a copyright for its annotated state code, which sells for $404, and sued to block a website from distributing free copies of the document.
Ideas
The Problem With Diversity in Computing
Tech’s discriminatory culture might never change, no matter how many women and people of color are invited into the room.
Policy
White House Wants to Know How Tech Can Help Prevent Veteran Suicides
The Office of Science and Technology Policy is asking for the public to weigh in on its veteran suicide prevention strategy.
Artificial Intelligence