Artificial Intelligence

China Is ‘Danger Close’ to US in AI Race, DOD AI Chief Says

JAIC leader stresses that AI ethics guidelines don’t slow down the United States. In fact, they are essential.

Cybersecurity

Energy Launches Supply Chain Program As Watchdog Called for More Action 

The Energy Department has been focused on securing the generation and transmission of power, but distribution processes are also increasingly vulnerable.

Emerging Tech

Republican Lawmakers Push for Billions in Boosts to Science Agency Budgets

Their re-introduced bill also calls for a national S&T strategy—and new requirements, including a supply chain-tracking database.

Ideas

People Gave Up on Flu Pandemic Measures a Century Ago When They Tired of Them – and Paid a Price

If we have anything to learn from the history of the 1918 influenza pandemic, it is that a premature return to pre-pandemic life risks more cases and more deaths.

Digital Government

Senate Bill Would Force Companies to Safeguard Consumer Data

The bill outlines “reasonable” duties of care, loyalty and confidentiality for companies to follow or face fines.

Ideas

Program Lets Users Design Their Own Quantum Computers

This is the first time that most people will be able to “touch” quantum computing.

Modernization

The FCC Wants Your Feedback to Improve Broadband Access

In an effort to create more accurate maps detailing broadband connections and service, the Federal Communications Commission is collecting first-hand accounts from users.

Cybersecurity

New Software Vendor Standards Coming Within Weeks, CISA Head Says 

The White House is leading an interagency effort focused on software development that will determine federal procurement of information technology.

Modernization

Deputy Federal CIO on Fate of Trump-era IT Policies

The Office of American Innovation, Cloud Smart and the Federal Reskilling Academy are some of Trump-era tech policies left behind. Now the Biden team must decide what to do with them. 

Modernization

How DISA Is Shifting to DEOS Cloud Tools as Interim Telework Solutions Sunset

DISA’s program director for the enterprisewide collaboration tools contract said the agency is creating a guide for other components to ease migration, including navigating security levels.

Ideas

Why Can't the IRS Just Send Americans a Refund – or a Bill?

At least 30 countries permit return-free filing, including Denmark, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Cybersecurity

CISA Will Use New Authority Over Internet Service Providers to Fight Ransomware, Official Says

Acting CISA Director Brandon Wales praised the government’s coordination absent a national cyber director.

Emerging Tech

Watchdog Says Software Development Issues May Force F-35 Delay

The Government Accountability Office found the Defense Department’s current modernization schedule “is not rooted in reality.”

Modernization

IRS Offers First Look at $2.6B Contract Touching All Its IT Systems

The new Enterprise Development, Operations Services contract will include developing new systems and improving the efficiency of existing applications.

Ideas

What Trump Got Wrong About Protecting GPS Users and America

The Global Positioning System has become the world’s most widely used tech utility.

Modernization

For State's COVID Contact Tracing Apps, Privacy Tops Utility

More than 28 million people in the United States have downloaded the mobile apps or activated exposure notifications on their smartphones

Digital Government

Survey: Nearly 1 in 4 Consumers Distrust Government COVID Data

The survey also showed significant levels of distrust in some emerging technologies.

Modernization

DISA’s Infrastructure as Code Partnerships Aim to Speed Up Defense Cloud Adoption

Microsoft and Amazon Web Services are working to create preconfigured templates for defense agencies.