Emerging Tech

As drone popularity grows, government considers how to safeguard the skies

While the vast majority of drone operators pilot their devices safely, there have been incidents where drones stray into dangerous places.

Defense

How the US is using open-source intel to track Russia's war in Ukraine

Analysts are moving beyond who-what-when-where to "really focusing on the why,” a senior defense intelligence official said.

Cybersecurity

North Korea's cyber-enabled sanction evasion requires tougher response, lawmakers and experts say

Pyongyang’s growing reliance on cybercrimes to circumvent international sanctions should push the U.S. and its allies to fully enforce existing sanctions and review whether more regulations are needed to govern digital currencies.

Cybersecurity

The world is ‘reentering an era of strategic competition’ with cyber, official says

Cyberspace Ambassador Nathaniel Fick argued that the U.S. needs to be able to provide cybersecurity assistance to allies in a way that incorporates emerging technologies.

Digital Government

How the Agriculture Department is ‘hardwiring’ customer experience into its work

The department’s chief customer experience officer, Simchah Suveyke-Bogin, told Nextgov/FCW that her primary goal is building capacity for customer experience.

Digital Government

IRS seeks states’ input on its direct file pilot

States have until Sept. 4 to tell the IRS if they’re interested in participating.

Modernization

Pentagon’s termination of MyTravel program receives bipartisan criticism

The Pentagon’s reasons for reverting back to its legacy Defense Travel System after seven months “don’t add up,” according to Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.

Artificial Intelligence

Scaling and talent development dominate Senate’s AI-focused NDAA amendments

The upper chamber’s draft of the NDAA looks to regulate and incorporate AI systems in federal operations, broadly helmed by a team of bipartisan senators.

Ideas

6 ways AI can make political campaigns more deceptive than ever

COMMENTARY | There are real fears that AI will make politics more deceptive than it already is.

Policy

Defense and Commerce team up to support semiconductor investments

The two federal agencies signed a memorandum of agreement to exchange information on programs outlined under the CHIPS for America Act.

Emerging Tech

Whistleblower alleges government coverup of UFO sightings, recovery efforts

Former intelligence official turned whistleblower David Grusch told lawmakers that the federal government has conducted “a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse engineering program” that has collected “non-human” remains.

Cybersecurity

SEC announces new cyber reporting rules for companies

After noting the increasing number of cyberattacks on U.S. networks, the SEC is asking company leadership for quick cyber incident disclosures and more documentation. 

Cybersecurity

DOD, OMB expect September release of proposed CMMC rule

The rule that details the defense industrial base's new cybersecurity standard appears ready for review at the Office of Management and Budget.

Ideas

65 years of NASA – an astrophysicist reflects on the agency’s legacy

NASA’s missions have inspired generations of young people to pursue the sciences.

Modernization

States need federal standards for tech used in unemployment programs, GAO says 

One of the senators that requested the new report from the Government Accountability Office — Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore. — is tinkering with potential legislation on unemployment modernization. 

Acquisition

Meet the new GDIT

GDIT President Amy Gilliland discussed how the large systems integrator is responding to market shifts in a conversation with Nextgov/FCW.

Emerging Tech

FCC Chair: Spectrum authority and global policy are key priorities in the 5G era

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel discussed her agency’s concerns ahead of the World Radio Conference.