Modernization

Agriculture Invests $122 Million in Rural Electric Infrastructure

More than 6,200 customers over five states will benefit and part of the funds will go to smart grid tech.

Emerging Tech

Las Vegas Gambles on a 'Smart City' Technology Makeover

The casino mecca is piloting countless new technologies in public spaces in a bid to boost its smart-city brand. Worrying about the risks will come later.

Ideas

White House’s Race to Maintain AI Dominance Misses Opportunity

The administration supported a race for AI when it could have supported a race for ethical innovation.

Emerging Tech

Interagency Competition Seeks to Thwart Opioid Trafficking Through the Mail

Four agencies team up to offer $1.55 million in prize money for new tools and technology to solve long-running problem.

Emerging Tech

Former Staffers: Revive Congress' Office of Technology Assessment Right or Don’t Bother

There is a lot that could go wrong reconstituting Congress’ technology advisory office. But there’s a lot it could do to help, too.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers Demand Answers on Surprise Microphones Inside Google Nest

The group wants Google CEO Sundar Pichai to provide answers—in writing, and in person—on the microphones discovered in Nest products.

Digital Government

Lawmaker Scolds VA Chief for 'Stonewalling' Probe Into Trump's Mar-a-Lago Crowd

House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano called out Secretary Robert Wilkie for failing to provide documents on the agency’s communication with the trio.

Digital Government

NASA Is Rushing to the Moon

In the agency’s most ambitious dreams, it will be testing moon-landing systems within the next five years.

Digital Government

What You Don’t Know About the Pentagon’s DEOS Contract

The Pentagon’s other multibillion cloud contract has gone through some major changes in the last year.

Emerging Tech

Are America’s Companies Ready to Fight Russia & China? New Study Aims to Find Out.

Reagan Institute panel sets out to identify the ‘National Security Innovation Base’ from workforce skills to technologies, labs, companies and academia.

Emerging Tech

Should ICE Use GSA Schedules for Agile Development or Go Its Own Way?

The immigration enforcement agency is asking industry for advice on using existing contracts or building its own agile development vehicle.

Emerging Tech

Pentagon Wants Satellites That Can Dodge Incoming Fire

As China and Russia move to weaponize space, the U.S. military is working to give its constellations a “fighting chance.”

Emerging Tech

Microsoft Stands By Its $480 Million Pentagon Contract

The company reaffirmed its commitment to provide the Army with augmented reality headsets despite resistance from employees.

Emerging Tech

The Microphones That May Be Hidden in Your Home

The controversy around Google’s Nest home-security devices shows that consumers never really know what their personal technology is capable of.

Emerging Tech

Why Local Governments Aren’t All Aboard the Blockchain Train

From high costs of implementation to more pressing regulatory concerns, current barriers to entry make the technology difficult to implement.

Ideas

The Dangers of a Mandatory DNA Database

A controversy in Arizona is a portent of future public-policy fights.

Cybersecurity

White House Orders Agencies to Defend the Skies From Cyberattacks

In its National Strategy for Aviation Security, the Trump administration called on the government to be more proactive in spotting threats to U.S. airspace.

Digital Government

OPM Wants Agencies to Show Their Work on Management Agenda Tech and Data Goals

Annual human capital reviews are coming and agencies have to show progress meeting the administration’s workforce, tech and data priorities.

Emerging Tech

Trump Science Adviser Stresses the Benefits of Private Research Funding

Kelvin Droegemeier tells academic groups he favors stronger industry ties.