Artificial Intelligence
UN approves resolution on AI safety and advancement
In an effort spearheaded by the U.S., a coalition of 193 countries — including China — have agreed to pursue the promising potential of artificial intelligence systems while mitigating their risks.
Cybersecurity
Biden seeks 10% bump to civilian cybersecurity spending for FY25
The funding boost is influenced by the White House’s National Cyber Strategy released last year.
Cybersecurity
Government funding bill punts extension of controversial spying power
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act expires April 19 unless reauthorized by Congress, and an 11th-hour funding bill crafted to avert a partial government shutdown doesn't address the matter.
People
NIST taps Kevin Stine to lead its IT lab
The Information Technology Laboratory has been at the heart of many of NIST’s landmark technology publications.
Cybersecurity
House advances bill empowering FTC to punish data transfers to foreign rivals
The unanimously approved legislation would give the FTC more enforcement power over data transfers to nations like China and Russia.
People
Tech, AI feature in new White House order to advance women's health research
First Lady Jill Biden argued a lack of such research has led to healthcare practices that are largely “based on men.”
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers eye 2025 defense bill for AI proposals
A leader of the Senate’s bipartisan AI working group said that next year's must-pass defense policy bill could include some substantive AI proposals, but the Senate is “not ready” for a comprehensive AI bill at this time.
Policy
US sanctions Kremlin-backed firms for operating network of fake news sites
The disinformation campaign was deployed in Fall 2022, and shows how Russia’s private sector easily works with the government on disinformation operations.
Policy
Lawmakers propose a new federal office to regulate workplace surveillance tech
The new bill from Reps. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., and Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., would also establish new employee rights and employer transparency rules around surveillance.
Cybersecurity
White House warns states of continued cyber threats to water infrastructure
The letter to state governors comes after the U.S. sanctioned Iran-linked hackers in February for their breach of water treatment systems last year.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
OPM pitches Congress on a federal cyber workforce revamp
Agencies are competing for talent because of an uneven landscape of authorities, according to the personnel agency, which says its proposal can change that.
Modernization
IRS has some of the oldest tech in government — it’s trying to change that
Agency leadership views the “historic funding” provided under the Inflation Reduction Act as an opportunity to get out from under the list of needed tech improvements that have long plagued the IRS.
Ideas
Building fairness into AI is crucial – and hard to get right
The pursuit of fairness in AI is not merely an ethical imperative but a requirement in order to foster trust, inclusivity and the responsible advancement of technology.
Acquisition
GSA awards $194M in identity proofing tech pacts
The General Services Administration awards eight blanket purchase agreements in support of Login.gov, its single sign-on portal to connect with government services.
Artificial Intelligence
DHS unveils new AI roadmap
The plan for artificial intelligence at the Department of Homeland Security comes alongside three new AI pilot programs, with aims to both harness the benefits and monitor emerging risks of the technology.
Cybersecurity
Ransomware payment debate resurfaces amid Change Healthcare incident
Expert views don’t entirely align on whether victims should pay ransomware hackers.
Emerging Tech
Lawmaker seeks to give NASA funding flexibility on interagency research efforts
Legislation from Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., would allow agencies to transfer funding to NASA to jointly partner on scientific or engineering projects.
Ideas
Navigating the cyber frontier 1 year into the National Cybersecurity Strategy
COMMENTARY | As outlined in the strategy, aggressively modernizing legacy systems is critical to manage risk across government networks.
Cybersecurity
U.S. still finding victims of advanced China-linked hacking campaign, NSA official says
The Volt Typhoon hacking collective, backed by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, has been working to burrow into sensitive U.S. systems, officials previously said.
Digital Government