Emerging Tech
Treasury to Experiment with Blockchain for Grants Management
After learning from other blockchain proof of concepts, officials will see if the technology can increase transparency into payment tracking.
Cybersecurity
Cybercriminals Strike Schools Amid Pandemic
At least 16 school districts have been victimized in a rash of ransomware attacks since the end of July.
Ideas
Google Shows Huge Panic Attack Rise During COVID
Researchers found a major jump in searches related to anxiety, panic attacks, and treatments for panic attacks, especially remote and self-care techniques.
Digital Government
Senate Still Divided on Comprehensive Data Privacy Legislation
Though recent bills are similar, lawmakers have yet to resolve two polarizing issues: preemption and private right to action.
Cybersecurity
Watchdog Highlights Need for Better Cyber Coordination Across Government
A pair of reports point to confusion about the State Department’s new cyber bureau and the vacuum left behind by the eliminated White House cyber coordinator position.
Artificial Intelligence
AI Commission Wants to Know How Government Can Help Industry Boost Commercial Innovation
Answers to a new request for comments will inform the group’s final report.
Emerging Tech
The Military’s Latest Wearables Can Detect Illness Two Days Before You Get Sick
Some 400 troops are testing the devices, trained on nearly a quarter million cases to detect COVID and a whole lot more.
Ideas
The First True Smart City Blossoms in Georgia’s Peachtree Corners
The city founded the Curiosity Lab, a huge facility designed to help industry test new technology.
Cybersecurity
FERC Asks Energy Sector to Report Huawei, ZTE Usage
Amid fears over having to replace equipment, Energy official noted no set timeline for implementing next steps on a related executive order.
Artificial Intelligence
Agencies Should Consider the Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence
Officials pushed agencies to examine the trade-offs—both positive and negative—as they adopt emerging technologies.
Modernization
Bill to Make 988 the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Hotline Heads to the President’s Desk
The Federal Communications Commission is laying the groundwork to launch by mid-2022.
Cybersecurity
Audit: HUD Doesn’t Ensure Sensitive Data It Shares Is Secure
A Government Accountability Office pointed to high turnover rates for top privacy and IT security officials as a reason for the agency's poor performance.
Ideas
Why You're Getting So Many Political Text Messages Right Now
Campaigns get more than just your money.
Ideas
On TikTok, the Trump Administration Is Adopting China’s Own Vision for the Internet
Until recently, the United States has been a staunch opponent of data localization laws.
Cybersecurity
Government Employees May Need to Update Threat Hunting Perspectives
As Congress considers expanding threat hunting programs into the private sector, a majority of federal workers surveyed last year didn’t seem to have a clue about such efforts within their own agencies.
Artificial Intelligence
Hurd, Kelly Introduce Resolution to Encourage Governmentwide Vision of Artificial Intelligence
The resolution urges lawmakers to pass legislation to encourage federal agencies to develop innovative artificial intelligence tools.
Emerging Tech
House Bill Proposes Millions to Build U.S. Quantum Network Infrastructure
The legislation would establish an Energy Department-led “research, development and demonstration program.”
Emerging Tech
Program Under Defense Innovation Unit Is Launching a New Consortium
The Institute for Nascent Innovations will look to identify and solve unseen issues in emerging crises.
Ideas
The Need for Unified Data Protection in the U.S.
Innovative businesses should be fighting to get federal privacy legislation to get the most out of data while simultaneously protecting customer information.
Cybersecurity