Artificial Intelligence
FTC orders leading AI companies to detail chatbot safety measures
The consumer protection body ordered seven leading tech companies to submit details on how they protect child users from chatbot harms.
Digital Government
Senate Finance Chair wants details from SSA following whistleblower allegations of data endangerment
Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, says he has reviewed information from SSA’s former chief data officer alleging that DOGE put sensitive agency information at risk. Now he wants information from the agency itself.
Digital Government
US needs an agency to call ‘balls and strikes’ on digital IDs, lawmaker says
Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., said Congress needs to create a federal body capable of auditing identity verification technologies to lay the groundwork for a broad embrace of digital IDs.
Cybersecurity
CISA weighs ‘alternative funding sources’ to preserve cyber vulnerability-tracking project
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures Program almost lapsed in April, according to MITRE, a key funder.
People
Federal deputy CIO leaving government for private sector role
OMB did not respond to a request for comment about who will replace Drew Myklegard at the agency.
Exclusive
Modernization
Stephen Ehikian says GSA is primed for a ‘build back’ phase after his departure
The former acting head of GSA is now working at enterprise AI company C3 AI, which sees growing opportunity for federal, state and local business.
Emerging Tech
In-home clinical uses of immersive tech will raise data privacy questions, VA official says
VA has over 40 use cases of augmented reality and virtual reality tools for patients and department staff.
Artificial Intelligence
Cruz unveils new AI framework as blueprint for future legislation
Released in conjunction with the SANDBOX Act, Senator Ted Cruz’s new AI Policy Framework offers a new potential playbook for implementing artificial intelligence policy.
People
Treasury, GSA partner to reward feds who ID wasteful contract spending
Parts of the program could eventually expand beyond the Treasury Department.
Policy
Government pacing toward increased IT contract spending despite DOGE cuts
A new administration and new priorities haven’t slowed the federal government’s spend on IT.
Defense
Pentagon sets start date for CMMC implementation
Step one involves getting this new cyber and supply chain security standard into solicitations as the Defense Department sees the full rollout as taking three years.
Cybersecurity
US can focus on both offensive and defensive cyber, top NSC official says
Offensive measures are “an important tool of the toolbox that we’ll be unafraid to use,” Alexei Bulazel said. “But that’s not to say we don’t need to do normal blocking-and-tackling cyber defense.”
Artificial Intelligence
Draft bill from Ted Cruz would establish a federal AI sandbox in OSTP
The federal regulatory artificial intelligence sandbox program would be set up within the Office of Science and Technology Policy, offering waivers from existing rules.
Cybersecurity
White House cyber office calls for ‘whole of nation’ effort to deter nation-state hackers
Newly-confirmed ONCD director Sean Cairncross wants to work with the private sector to develop a toolkit for stopping foreign hackers and boosting U.S. cyberdefenses.
Exclusive
Acquisition
GSA launches FAS Office of Centralized Acquisition Services
The office will be headed by longtime GSA executive Tom Meiron.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Suspected Chinese operation aims to recruit former feds with job postings, research shows
Researchers at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies uncovered a network of likely fraudulent China-linked websites operating as far back as 2021. One has very recently tried to recruit former federal workers and policy experts.
People
OPM implements years-in-the-making update to federal hiring process
The "rule of many" aims to give federal hiring managers more information and choices as they evaluate job candidates.
Acquisition
Perplexity announces new government-focused services
The AI company said its new “Perplexity for Government” initiative will automatically identify federal networks to provide tailored search and security services.
Cybersecurity
FEMA begins security overhauls following cyber incident and employee firings
The agency recently blocked users from accessing multiple websites and made password changes to an internet security tool in efforts to shore up its cyber posture, people familiar say.
People