Emerging Tech
Warner, Blackburn team up to reestablish U.S. leadership in international tech standards
New bipartisan legislation would ask NIST to help the U.S. establish a stronger international presence in setting emerging technology standards.
Acquisition
GSA officials have ‘fundamental disagreements’ with OIG in legality of Chinese camera purchases, per House committee
The agency’s procurement of Owl Labs cameras as part of a pilot program came under scrutiny in January.
Artificial Intelligence
Senate committees to start marking up AI bills soon, senator says
One of the Republican members of the bipartisan AI working group estimated that major Senate committees will begin marking up AI-related legislation “in March or April.”
Artificial Intelligence
Congressional Black Caucus launches AI Policy Series spotlighting discrimination
The new series of discussions hosted by the House’s Congressional Black Caucus will focus on ensuring AI systems are working for, not against, Black communities.
Policy
Biden admin to seek surveillance court blessing to renew Section 702 program through next year
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court will receive the White House filing next month.
Acquisition
Biden administration waives certain ‘Build America’ requirements for broadband
Even with the waiver, though, the administration estimates that roughly 90% of funding for equipment will still be used to purchase U.S.-made products.
Policy
Congress reaches fiscal 2024 funding deal, new stopgaps in hopes of averting shutdown
Lawmakers must act in a hastened and united fashion to pass the new CR before funding expires this week.
Policy
Civil liberties groups urge Congress to keep 702 measures out of upcoming funding votes
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is set to expire on April 19 unless reauthorized by Congress.
People
SSA taps White House tech official for CIO post
Marcela Escobar-Alava will be starting as the CIO of the Social Security Administration on Monday.
Artificial Intelligence
IBM calls for stricter regulatory posture on deepfakes
The multinational tech company supported legislation that outlaws synthetic AI-generated content
Artificial Intelligence
Using AI to fight fraud is paying off, Treasury says
The tech has helped recover over $375 million since Treasury began using it over a year ago.
Digital Government
HealthCare-dot-gov enrollees will also receive voter registration emails, vice president says
The communications are part of a Biden administration effort to improve voting rights and access.
Cybersecurity
Nearly 300 comment on proposed CMMC rule
The Defense Department now has to process and respond to the comments before it issues the final version of the industry-wide rule in the fall.
Defense
Russian space nuke wouldn’t alter US orbital-network plans, Space Force says
The nascent Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture is built on the idea that lots of satellites offer plenty of redundancy.
Cybersecurity
Biden executive order aims to stop adversaries from obtaining, exploiting Americans’ personal data
Data brokers under the order are barred from selling bulk caches of sensitive Americans’ data to multiple foreign countries, including China and Russia.
Defense
US tech is still powering Russian weapons, experts warn
American components that have been found in the sanctioned country’s weaponry are “fueling and supporting the growing and gargantuan Russian war machine,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
Emerging Tech
US signs on to international principles for 6G
In conjunction with nine other countries, the U.S. released six new principles intended to guide a global 6G wireless connectivity adoption.
Artificial Intelligence
OPM gives agencies an AI hiring playbook
The latest workforce guidance from the Office of Personnel Management covers the existing pay, leave and workforce flexibilities agencies can use to attract and keep AI talent.
Cybersecurity
Energy to fund 16 infrastructure cybersecurity projects
The White House’s cybersecurity strategy implementation plan asks the agency to identify pilot projects for energy infrastructure security.
Digital Government