Digital Government
The Tech Policies the Trump Administration Leaves Behind
Nextgov looks back at the Trump administration's major IT policy moves that will have lasting effects on federal technology for the foreseeable future.
Emerging Tech
A State Becomes the First to Suspend Facial Recognition Technology in Schools
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there are “serious and legitimate privacy concerns” with the technology—but only prohibited its use until 2022.
Emerging Tech
Universal Service Fund Wants Automation Tools to Help Bring Broadband to Communities in Need
The corporation that manages the fund for the Federal Communications Commission is looking for a contractor to help automate its manual, time-consuming data verification process.
Ideas
Thousands of Ocean Fishing Boats Could Be Using Forced Labor—We Used AI and Satellite Data to Find Them
Forced labor is a known problem in open ocean fishing, but the scale has been very hard to track historically.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Targets Emerging Smart Technologies to Pilot in 2021
Companies are invited to apply to present relevant products during a solutions meeting next spring.
Emerging Tech
CBP Should Halt Expansion of the Biometric Entry-Exit Program, Many Commenters Write
Advocacy groups and the City of Portland wrote the Homeland Security Department urging a full stop on expanding the use of facial recognition technologies.
Ideas
How AI Will Help the U.S. to Mars and Beyond
Artificial intelligence and automation will play key roles in ensuring future astronauts on Mars can safely perform their missions.
Emerging Tech
Two Years into the Government’s National Quantum Initiative
An Office of Science and Technology Policy official offered a look back on what’s unfolded—and a glimpse into what’s to come.
Emerging Tech
Researchers Sent ‘Smart Fabric’ Capable of Detecting Microscopic Vibrations to Space
The acoustic fabric, which could eventually be used in spacesuits and soldier uniforms, “bridges the physical and digital domains,” officials say.
Emerging Tech
VA Plans Poop Pilots to Detect COVID-19 Outbreaks at Nursing Homes
The Veterans Affairs Department will test wastewater for early indications of infection among residents, who can then be quarantined to limit the spread to others.
Cybersecurity
Massive Hack Roundup: Microsoft Says Breach 'Not Espionage as Usual'
Here are the news and updates you may have missed.
Emerging Tech
The Evolution of Public Health
Driven by a global pandemic, federal agencies stepped up with new strategies and embraced new technical capabilities to combat the coronavirus and meet their missions.
Emerging Tech
DHS Works to Improve Biometric Scanning of Masked Faces
Almost 600 human volunteers participated in a recent technology evaluation.
Cybersecurity
DIU, CISA Team Up to Coordinate Cybersecurity Tech Investments
The Defense and Homeland Security departments agreed to develop cybersecurity technologies for national security applications together.
Policy
White House Launches Plan for a Nuclear Power System on the Moon
It follows other space-centered proposals from the Trump administration—and might not be the last.
Ideas
Why the New Administration Needs Federal Industrial Strategists
Smart strategy will require smart strategists who know the government’s policy levers and the technology innovation process.
Ideas
Racial Stereotypes Drive Students of Color Away from STEM, but Many Still Persist
But no matter what they do, they cannot shake the perception among certain white colleagues and collaborators that they don’t belong.
Ideas
Artificial Intelligences Are Power Hungry, But Not How You Think
Keeping AIs on an ethical short leash is important but there are other aspects to consider.
Digital Government
Wastewater Testing Tracks COVID Infection Trends
It could be a crucial step toward an informed public health response to diseases like COVID-19.
Modernization