Policy
Shutdown is ‘holding my veterans hostage,’ VA chief says
Some critical services are paused and many employees are not getting paid, Doug Collins says, though he will not guarantee their back pay.
Artificial Intelligence
Even if you’re furloughed, your skills don’t have to be
Google is stepping up with the launch of an entire set of free online courses to teach people, including furloughed feds, how to use AI to boost productivity and prepare for what’s next.
Artificial Intelligence
New AI export marketplace looks to connect domestic AI firms with foreign buyers
The Trump administration said the American AI Exports Program “will select industry-led export packages that will include AI hardware, software, models, and applications across industry sectors for promotion to countries and regions around the world.”
Cybersecurity
US cyber policy goals have regressed during Trump 2.0 in ‘unprecedented setback,’ landmark report says
Cuts to various agencies and the politicization of disinfo-tracking work have slowed implementation goals set out five years ago by a congressionally authorized cybersecurity policy group.
Ideas
What federal buyers need to succeed with AI-enabled procurement
COMMENTARY | Put workforce development before technology deployment and process reform before tools.
Artificial Intelligence
Inside Mission Daybreak: VA’s effort to support innovative suicide prevention
VA’s director of data and analytics innovation said the program “is looking for what is the right solution for the ways that we want to optimize care, and sometimes that's technology, and sometimes it isn't.”
People
SSA is denying excepted workers’ time off and telework requests, seemingly defying shutdown guidance
Though OPM guidance states that agencies should seek to accommodate the needs of excepted workers during lapses in appropriation, employees who have fallen ill or simply can no longer afford to commute without getting paid have been labeled AWOL and threatened with discipline.
Artificial Intelligence
Anthropic CEO defends support for AI regulations, alignment with Trump policies
Following the White House AI and crypto czar’s critique of Anthropic’s regulatory perspective, the company’s CEO noted that it is committed to speaking honestly about AI’s risks and benefits.
Artificial Intelligence
Salesforce pitches AI agents as the government sheds staff
Amid the White House’s ongoing push to reduce the federal workforce, “government will be the largest users of agentic technologies of any industry,” predicted one Salesforce exec.
Ideas
Hard lessons: A CIO’s playbook for consolidation
COMMENTARY | Agencies are under increasing pressure to reorganize their operations. But done well, consolidation can bring economies of scale, better alignment and more agility.
People
The shutdown isn’t hitting everyone equally. Politics and geography may help explain why
Nearly half of respondents in a recent survey said that shutdown firings of federal employees would harm their communities.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
House Democrats want answers on CISA reassignments to border security, immigration roles
A letter led by Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., argues DHS violated the Antideficiency Act when it conducted a reduction in force during the government shutdown.
Artificial Intelligence
Bipartisan House bill seeks to equip small businesses with AI
The AI for Mainstreet Act calls on the Small Business Administration to support small U.S. enterprises in adopting artificial intelligence systems.
Cybersecurity
China accuses NSA of multi-year hack targeting its national time systems
“NSA does not confirm nor deny allegations in the media regarding its operations,” an NSA official told Nextgov/FCW.
Defense
The Netherlands joins US Air Force’s robot wingman program
The U.S. ally also agreed to develop small drones for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance with General Atomics.
People
Trump admin vows to follow court order on layoffs, but some cuts may still be imminent
The Interior Department revealed new details on its planned reductions.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI researchers see current chatbot use supporting — not replacing — workers
A study co-authored by OpenAI found ChatGPT to primarily be used in decision-making capacities, minimizing its potential as a worker replacement.
Digital Government
Judiciary Democrats launch watchdog website amid withheld funding from inspector general group
The lawmakers are maintaining hotline information for over 20 OIGs, as watchdogs scramble to set up temporary websites after the White House withheld funding from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
Ideas
Web4 and the public sector: How agentic technology can transform government services
COMMENTARY | Citizens deserve government services that work as intuitively as their favorite consumer applications. Web4 provides the architectural foundation to make that vision reality.
Cybersecurity