Ideas
The U.S. Election System Is Not Ready for Blockchain Technology … Yet
Blockchain does not exist in a vacuum. It requires extensive support from human personnel and other technology.
Emerging Tech
Open-Source Project Aims to Broaden Access to Early Alerts for Earthquakes
Using internet of things devices and open-source standards, developers and citizen scientists can help monitor earthquake activity, deliver alerts in moments of risk—and more.
Digital Government
Education Department Testing Tool to Make Data Collection Requests Easier
The pilot tool will undergo testing using real information requests at the Education Department and other statistical agencies but will later be available to other agencies.
Emerging Tech
Universal Service Fund Wants to Automate Verification of High-Cost Telecom, Broadband Areas
The Universal Service Administrative Company is looking at robotic process automation to streamline checks and balances before it subsidizes telephone and internet access in high-cost areas.
Emerging Tech
Do All Face Masks Offer Similar Protection? New Test Offers A Way to Compare
The limited findings raise doubts about the effectiveness of neck gaiters and bandanas in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Emerging Tech
NASA Prepares to Launch Internal COVID-19 Contact Tracing Program
The agency is using the Salesforce platform to begin tracking potential infections and community transmissions on a voluntary basis.
Emerging Tech
Six Months into VA's 5G-Enabled Hospital Project
The pandemic emerged early in its existence, but the infrastructure is already providing a foundation for health care innovation, an official said.
Podcasts
Critical Update: GSA's Centers of Excellence Program Evolves
The Centers of Excellence program started out working with agencies one at a time. But in less than three years, the program has sped up, staffed up and spread out across government.
Modernization
Pentagon Requests More Time to Review JEDI Cloud Contract Bids
The Defense Department says it wants to further discuss Microsoft’s and Amazon Web Services’ pricing.
Emerging Tech
DOD Releases Prime Airwaves for Commercial 5G Networks
Amid criticism, officials said 100 megahertz of federal midband spectrum will be transferred to commercial users at an unprecedented pace.
Modernization
Agencies Off-Pace to Switch to New Telecom Contract Before Cutoff Date, GAO Says
The latest FITARA scorecard showed what percentage of operations have moved off old infrastructure contracts—and the numbers aren’t good.
Emerging Tech
White House Council Seeks Input on Plan to Invest in Alternatives to GPS
The request for information flows from an executive order on the responsible use of positioning, navigation and timing services.
Digital Government
Bill Calls for ‘Mile-by-Mile’ Assessment of Tech Needs at the Southern Border
Rep. Xochitl Small Torres on Wednesday introduced the Southwest Border Security Technology Improvement Act in the House, a bipartisan bill that’s already moving through the Senate.
Artificial Intelligence
Report Recommends Doubling Federal Funding for AI Research
A new report from Reps. Will Hurd, R-Texas, and Robin Kelly, D-Ill., calls for increased funding and stronger federal leadership on artificial intelligence development.
Emerging Tech
COVID-19 Will Spur New Robot 'Friends' and Helpers
Socially assistive robots interact with people and can perform household chores, accomplish health care tasks, and offer emotional support.
Emerging Tech
TSA’s Looking to Rapidly Verify Passengers Without Biometrics or Physical IDs
Prior to the pandemic, hundreds of travelers would attempt to pass through security checkpoints each day without identification.
Modernization
How CBP Plans to Spend—and Repay—Its $15M Modernization Fund Loan
Agency officials already completed the first phase of modernizing the nation’s second-largest revenue collection system but needed an infusion of cash to keep the momentum going.
Emerging Tech
White House, NSF Launch Partnership to Boost K-12 Access to Quantum Education
Founding members from industry weighed in on how they aim to contribute.
Cybersecurity
CISA Director Identifies Main Targets of Russian Adversaries in Election Security Efforts
Appeals made to the information security community apply just as much to the average voter—the last line of defense is a patient voter.
Ideas