Digital Government

House Republicans Want China-Focused Bills Moved Through Regular Order

Committee ranking members signed a letter to Democratic leadership urging them to take advantage of the bipartisan support for passing legislation to boost U.S. innovation

Digital Government

Committee Moves Cabinet-level OSTP Director Nominee to Full Senate

The Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee voted to report Eric Lander’s nomination favorably, though Republican members were split.

Emerging Tech

DHS Plans Next Rally to Advance Facial Recognition Tech

Modern systems are getting good at verifying people who are wearing face masks—and DHS wants to make them better.

Ideas

The New Space Race Will Be Run by Robots

Given the risks of space travel versus the potential rewards, it seems like robots are better suited for this role than humans.

Ideas

If a Satellite Falls on Your House, Space Law Protects You – but There Are No Legal Penalties for Leaving Junk in Orbit

Looking at environmental law here on Earth may give some ideas on how to improve the current legal regime with respect to space debris.

Artificial Intelligence

Bill to Address Chip Shortage Is Only the Beginning, Senator Says

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said more legislation is necessary to keep pace with adversaries.

Emerging Tech

FTC Data Captures Record Surge in Cryptocurrency Scams

An official explained how “there are at least a couple of things in play” that are contributing to the highs.

Artificial Intelligence

Senate Bills Aim to Grow Federal Tech-Ready Workforce—and the Government’s Transparency About its AI Use

Lawmakers moved to operationalize suggestions made by a Congressionally-mandated AI commission.

Modernization

If the Pentagon Drops JEDI, Then What?

Defense Department officials say the contract’s enterprisewide capabilities are still needed, but how to fill that need may be different given the department’s changing cloud landscape.

Digital Government

FAA Knows It Needs More Tech Experts, Just Not How Many

The Federal Aviation Administration needs IT experts, as well as specialists in emerging technologies like drones and 3-D printing, but doesn’t have hard, quantitative data on those workforce gaps.

Cybersecurity

Biden Issues Executive Order to Bolster Nation’s Cybersecurity

The administration calls for a standardized federal playbook and review board for incident response, as well as changes to software procurement.

Emerging Tech

DOD Not Prioritizing Development of GPS Alternatives, GAO Says

Despite known vulnerabilities with GPS tech, the department treats developing other position, navigation and timing technologies as an “afterthought,” officials said. 

Digital Government

Survey: 1 in 3 Experience Slow Service Engaging With Government

Despite progress, a recent survey indicates agencies still have room to improve service delivery.

Digital Government

Pentagon Publishes Five Data Decrees

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks also mandated assessments of certain data efforts in a May 5 memo.

Emerging Tech

Energy Department to Fund Research into All Forms of Nuclear Matter

The agency has $10 million for projects that blend quantum information science with nuclear physics.