Ideas
The Iconic American Inventor Is Still a White Male – and That's an Obstacle to Race and Gender Inclusion
National myths about inventorship normalize entrenched discrimination in STEM fields.
Digital Government
Flournoy Should Lead Biden’s Pentagon, Armed Services Chairman Says
Rep. Adam Smith told reporters Michèle Flournoy would help the Defense Department cut red tape to engage with new technologies needed for the future of defense.
Emerging Tech
Robotic Surgeries Are Changing the Game Inside One VA Facility
More than 60 robotics-boosted surgical procedures were performed since March—and the program will likely expand in the next year.
Ideas
Artificial Intelligence in Government and the Presidential Transition: Building on a Solid Foundation
Here are the key steps that the incoming Biden administration should take to make the federal government AI-ready.
Digital Government
Acting TTS Director to Return to FDIC
Bob DeLuca, who took temporary leadership of the Technology Transformation Services in July, will return to his duties as FDIC deputy chief information officer Dec. 21.
Emerging Tech
NIST Plans New Drone-Advancing Challenge Competition
Potential scenarios include locating stranded first responders with thermal imaging, tracking them where GPS is inaccessible, and more.
Cybersecurity
Experts Call for Government to Designate Commercial Space Sector as Critical Infrastructure
The federal government currently deems 16 sectors as critical infrastructure sectors because of their importance.
Digital Government
DHS IG Opens Probe into Warrantless Cellphone Tracking
The investigation is in response to a Congressional inquiry about Customs and Border Protection getting location data from phones.
Cybersecurity
DISA Updates Strategic Tech Priorities Through 2022
The defense agency adjusted its long-term cybersecurity and cloud plans to take into account progress and pivots made for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emerging Tech
NPS Officials Share Fresh Details on Forthcoming Self-Driving Shuttle Pilot
Yellowstone National Park visitors can catch rides on the autonomous shuttles early next summer.
Emerging Tech
NASA’s Ready for Companies to Put Its ‘Robo-Glove’ to Use
The futuristic, robotic handwear could help people on the job, or if they suffer from limited hand strength.
Podcasts
Critical Update: Inside NASA’s Digital Transformation
The space agency’s digital modernization is aimed at augmenting and improving three key mission areas, according to its chief data officer.
Emerging Tech
DOD Needs Simulations to Shorten Acquisition Timelines, Official Says
Advancements in modeling and simulation technologies will not only help train warfighters, but “revolutionize” design, acquisition, sustainment and test, the official said.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Want Data to Decide the Future of America’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
New legislation would launch a $10 million grant program to set the scene for what’s to come on the EV-use landscape.
Ideas
Government Striving for New Ways of Working
Ensuring necessary and equitable access to services will likely mean a hybrid approach of both digital and physical access for citizens.
Emerging Tech
The Defense Department IG Outlined the Pentagon’s Top Challenges. Here’s Where Tech Fits In.
Two new challenges added this year focus on technological dominance and data as a strategic asset. Tech like hypersonics, microelectronics, AI, 5G and biotechnology were also highlighted.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Clarifies Biometrics Database Can Move to Any Secure Cloud, Not Just AWS
While the performance work statement namechecks a specific cloud provider and product, a subsequent amendment and Q&A clarify the Pentagon’s true intent.
Artificial Intelligence
New Pentagon AI Chief: More Computers Would Bring Military AI Along Faster
Groundbreaking tools are around the corner, 3-star general says. The limiting factor is lack of computing power to grind through giant Pentagon datasets.
Artificial Intelligence