Emerging Tech

Inside One Lawmaker's Proposal for a Privacy Bill of Rights

Sen. Ed Markey’s, D-Mass., sweeping privacy framework would limit the amount of data companies collect on users and require more transparency about how it’s being used.

Emerging Tech

FCC Creates $20 Billion Rural Broadband Fund

At a briefing with President Trump, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai also said the agency will move forward with a 5G wireless spectrum auction at the end of the year.

Emerging Tech

GSA Testing Tool to Ensure Tech Projects Meet Accessibility Rules

A government-built AI tool to ensure compliance with accessibility mandates is headed for the user testing phase before going governmentwide this fall.

Ideas

The Art (Not Science) of Deepfakes

Modern machine-learning technology brings deepfakes within reach of anyone.

Emerging Tech

The Pentagon Is Killing a Key Independent-Research Program

For decades, JASON studies helped DOD and other agencies get outside perspectives on scientific and technical topics.

Modernization

IRS’ Plan to Modernize Old Tech Will Cost About $2.5 Billion

The agency is seeking $290 million this year as part of a six-year modernization plan.

Policy

GAO Will Pour $15 Million Into New Tech Assessment Office in 2020

The Science and Technology Assessment and Analytics team aims to build lawmakers’ understanding of emerging technologies and weigh in on tech-centric policies.

Digital Government

NIST Expands Hiring Authorities for Top-Level Tech Talent

The standards-setting agency is making it easier for hiring managers to onboard IT managers, engineers and scientists through new direct hiring authorities.

Artificial Intelligence

OPM Wants AI Bots To Decipher Government Legalese

The agency wants natural language processing bots that any employee can customize and deploy without significant tech skills.

Emerging Tech

Report: China’s Closing the Innovation Gap

Experts say the United States needs its own robust national strategy to compete in advanced technologies.

Emerging Tech

Scientists Predict Weak Sun Activity During Next Solar Cycle

Low solar activity should mean relatively calm space weather for the next 11 years.

Emerging Tech

IRS Turns to Automation Amid Shrinking Workforce

The tax agency is preparing to launch a bot that would reduce a critical contracting compliance measure from multiple hours to two minutes.

Emerging Tech

How to Design an Esports Arena

An architect working on Philadelphia’s future esports arena explains the basics of designing for video-game competitions.

Emerging Tech

NASA Makes First Award on GSA’s Massive $50 Billion Telecom Contract

With security authorizations trickling in, the space agency awarded a $10.5 million contract to support its core services.

Emerging Tech

How Customer Experience is Disrupting Government Technology

Better service delivery is changing the way implementers and users view technology.

Cybersecurity

Financial Regulators Want To Know If Their Cyber Assessment Tool Is Worth It

Four federal agencies are asking the industry they regulate whether a cybersecurity assessment is worth the work of collecting and submitting the necessary data.

Ideas

Is Your Agency Ready for AI?

Federal agencies can be particularly susceptible to AI failure, for several reasons.

Emerging Tech

114 Lawmakers Push to Fund Clean Energy Research

The group wants $500 million for the Energy Department’s advanced research projects agency, which would be eliminated under the White House’s 2020 budget request.