Emerging Tech

Multiagency plan aims to boost biotechnology workforce

A new national strategy to grow the U.S.’s biotechnology sector focuses on workforce training and curriculum development. 

Policy

House, Senate China hawks concerned White House will let TikTok stay in the US

Key Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate warned that tweaked language in a new Commerce Department rule could lay the groundwork for TikTok’s proposal to store U.S. users’ data in the country.

Cybersecurity

CISA to launch new cyber supply chain resource hub

The new resource center will allow federal agencies and industry stakeholders to get their hands on practical tools to help meet new cyber supply chain risk management.

Emerging Tech

DHS looks to invest in digital credentialing

The department’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program issued a new solicitation looking for privacy-preserving digital credential wallets and verifiers.

Digital Government

Caller ID woes contributed to SSA disability backlog

Disability determinations at the Social Security Administration slowed during the worst days of the pandemic, and a hitch in a mobile device service played a part.

Ideas

The digital future may rely on ultrafast optical electronics and computers

COMMENTARY | About a decade ago, scientific efforts hit the speed limit of semiconductor-based transistors.

Modernization

Inside DHS’ quest to streamline customer experience and ease public burden

The Department of Homeland Security’s CIO detailed how his agency saved the public 20 million hours accessing agency services in a move that signals a major culture change.

Emerging Tech

Legislation would expand and extend government’s counterdrone authority

Bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate would extend DHS and DOJ’s authority to mitigate the threat posed by unmanned aircraft systems, while also providing state and local law enforcement with enhanced counter-detection capabilities.

Digital Government

Is government culture stifling CX innovation?

Risk aversion among government managers is blocking needed improvements to key programs, according to a recent white paper.

Modernization

Government tech – What’s sustainability got to do with it?

As it turns out, a lot, according to a recent best practices guide for agency CIO’s, and to Energy Department CIO Ann Dunkin.

Ideas

For IRS Direct File, let the evidence guide the way

COMMENTARY | A randomized, controlled trial is the best way to find out if using a government system to file taxes directly with the IRS will improve tax collection while reducing burden on taxpayers.

Modernization

House Oversight members want Login.gov documents outlining $187M modernization award

The chairman and ranking member of a House subcommittee investigating alleged misleading statements about the digital identity site want to know how the site’s project team secured a $187 million modernization grant.

Policy

Democrats call YouTube ‘extremely irresponsible’ for election misinformation rollback

YouTube’s decision to stop removing false content about previous U.S. elections “threatens to weaken our democracy,” several top Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee said in a letter to the platform’s leaders. 

Digital Government

GSA activates 5-year option on Alliant 2 IT vehicle

A final solicitation for the upcoming third iteration of this governmentwide contract remains under construction.

Emerging Tech

NIST launches new working group to tackle AI risks

The new initiative will bring together technical experts from across the public and private sectors to explore the benefits and challenges associated with generative artificial intelligence. 

Artificial Intelligence

First AI advisory committee report stresses getting regulatory balance right

Designing trustworthy AI systems with government regulatory help is a central theme in the NAIAC’s first report delivered to President Joe Biden.

Cybersecurity

Congress needs ‘private sector buy-in’ to address cyber workforce shortage

Organizations are working to educate and train the next generation of professionals to fill critical cybersecurity vacancies, but private sector firms need to change their hiring practices to integrate this pool of talent into the workforce. 

Cybersecurity

US ‘can’t PSA our way out’ of cyber vulnerability, CISA director says

Speaking during a Cybersecurity Advisory Committee meeting, CISA Director Jen Easterly noted that corporate responsibility for cyber must stand “as a matter of good governance.”

Digital Government

Will Hurd, former GOP lawmaker with tech expertise, announces White House bid

The three-term Texas congressman was the lead sponsor of the law that created the Technology Modernization Fund.