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.

Cybersecurity

NIST wants to help prevent a major cyberattack on the water sector

The National Institute of Standards and Technology aims to provide a practical guide to address unique cyber challenges impacting America’s complex water systems.

Modernization

VA official expects Oracle Cerner to deliver on $10B EHR contract despite layoffs

While lawmakers and officials expect work to continue as planned, an insider warned that layoffs at Oracle Cerner targeted a clinical team that worked to implement new electronic health record systems.

Digital Government

Records agency to DHS: Look into your watchdog’s use of text messages 

This comes after a hearing two weeks ago that raised concerns among some lawmakers about how the IG uses and retains records of electronic messages. 

Artificial Intelligence

Schumer says 'don't count Congress out' when it comes to regulating AI

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said Congress needs “to invent a new process” to effectively balance the dangers of artificial intelligence with the capabilities of these emerging technologies.

Policy

CFPB looks to existing law to regulate workplace surveillance tech

After a high volume of complaints, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offered a response as to how the government can limit the use of sensitive employee information in hiring practices.

Modernization

House panel zeros out TMF funding for 2024 fiscal year

House appropriators want to eliminate new funding for the Technology Modernization Fund, which is still flush with cash thanks to a pandemic-era special spending bill.

Ideas

There’s something DHS can do to help civilian agencies fight cyberattacks

The Homeland Security Department has the power to do a lot more than just issue words of warning. 

Cybersecurity

Justice Department launches new unit to combat cyber threats

The National Security Cyber Section will work to "increase the scale and speed of disruption campaigns and prosecutions” against cybercriminals, an official said this week.