Ideas
Facial Recognition Is Here But We Have No Laws
Without legal safeguards, this technology will undermine democratic values and fundamental rights.
Cybersecurity
FBI Opens a New China-Related Counterintelligence Investigation Every 10 Hours, Director Says
China is ramping up illegal activity to subvert the U.S. during the pandemic, according to FBI Director Chris Wray.
Digital Government
Experts Break Down GSA’s Abrupt Cancellation of $15B Small Business IT GWAC
Four federal contracting experts joined Nextgov to discuss what happened with Alliant 2 Small Business, what’s next for the family of contracts and what this means for GSA’s suite of small business vehicles.
Ideas
DevSecOps: The Benefits of a More Dynamic DOD
Leveraging unclassified resources for the development of code to be run in a classified manner has many tangible advantages.
Digital Government
GSA Opens Bids for Largest Governmentwide Small Business Contract to Date
The final request for proposals is out for GSA’s IT services-focused 8(a) STARS III contract, which will have a ceiling of $50 billion.
Modernization
After Years In Limbo, GSA Cancels $15B Governmentwide IT Contract
The agency rescinded awards on the Alliant 2 Small Business last year, then canceled the solicitation altogether.
Digital Government
CBP’s Outgoing Biometrics Lead on Law Enforcement Use of Facial Recognition
Law enforcement should be careful using facial recognition in public spaces. But with the right applications, authorities and transparency, federal programs could serve a lot of good.
Emerging Tech
House Subcommittee Again Takes Aim at Amazon over Ring Surveillance
The subcommittee wants assurances from Amazon that its Ring doorbell camera isn’t being misused by law enforcement.
Ideas
China and AI: What the World Can Learn and What It Should Be Wary of
The world needs to engage seriously with China’s AI development and take a closer look at what’s really going on.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Systems Will Need to Have Certification, CISA Official Says
A process for vetting algorithms and their input data is needed to build confidence in the tech but is still very far off.
Digital Government
OMB Official: We Need More Cross-Agency Collaboration Tools
Mass teleworking due to the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital government, including a lack of communication options for interagency collaboration.
Digital Government
House Committee Leader Wants Oversight of Pentagon’s Handling of Banned Chinese Gear
One observer says prospects look dim for contractors requesting an extension on compliance with provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act.
Digital Government
What the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Revealing to Federal Chief Data Officers
While some agencies have yet to reveal a chief data officer, others are spinning up new teams, tools and projects to address the global health crisis.
Cybersecurity
DHS, NSA Conclude Pilot of Automated Mobile App Security Vetting Tool
While the program still has a ways to go, the team says it now has a way to automate mobile app security testing.
Artificial Intelligence
Critical Update: How Veterans Shaped a Coronavirus Chatbot
Chief Technology Officer Charles Worthington discusses how the agency rolled out new digital tools to help respond to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Emerging Tech
Senators Introduce Deepfake-Focused Amendment to Defense Authorization Act
The Deepfake Report Act would require the Homeland Security Department to study the threats posed by manipulated and synthetic media—including text.
Ideas
When Automation Sets Government Agencies Up for Failure
It's important to take the time to design a better system and workflow.
Emerging Tech
Industry Calls on Government to Invest Billions for Developing Secure 5G Networks
Comments to the NTIA also say the administration shouldn’t choose winners and losers to compete with Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban Federal Use of Facial Recognition Tech
If passed, federal agencies would not be able to run, fund, purchase or otherwise use data from facial biometric systems without congressional authorization.
Artificial Intelligence