Modernization
Social Security occupational data update appears stalled after agency drops regulatory overhaul
The Social Security Administration has spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to update the occupational data used in disability adjudications. When the agency will actually move to newer data is unclear.
Defense
The Army is taking counter-drone experimentation from Europe to INDOPACOM
A joint exercise with Poland and Romania, plus a counter-drone competition, took place this month.
Policy
Civilian agency spending cratered during shutdown
October spending during the shutdown dropped by as much as 80% for some agencies compared to October 2024.
Artificial Intelligence
White House launches Genesis Mission to spur AI with federal assets
The Genesis Mission initiates a new artificial intelligence experimentation platform, linking agencies with federal data to spearhead advanced AI use cases and evaluate “experimental outcomes.”
Digital Government
DOGE no longer has ‘centralized leadership’ under White House tech team, personnel head says
The team that was altered to house DOGE — formerly the U.S. Digital Service — is also still doing its own technology work across agencies.
Defense
Foreign spies are targeting Army soldiers, civilians and families, official warns
Current and former federal workers, especially those with security clearances, should be aware of the attempts, an Army intelligence chief said in a November memo.
Emerging Tech
AWS to invest $50B in AI and supercomputing infrastructure for government customers
Amazon Web Services is granting government expanded access to its tech products offerings while scaling the infrastructure required to support it.
Policy
House Science Dems call for investigation into NASA Goddard cuts
The administration’s ongoing push to close labs and facilities at the Goddard Space Flight Center “risks permanently degrading Goddard’s scientific and technical capabilities with these moves,” Democratic members of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee wrote.
Ideas
Leading the AI transformation in government HR
COMMENTARY | As AI increasingly handles routine tasks, human workers must be equipped for strategic, creative and judgment-intensive roles.
People
ICE — overwhelmed with applicants — leans on cyber talent program to speed tech hiring
ICE’s acting CIO, Dustin Goetz, said the agency will need more personnel as it seeks to meet sweeping deportation and detainment demands set by the White House.
Artificial Intelligence
White House official, lawmaker call for amplifying US tech policy abroad
Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., and OSTP Director Michael Kratsios also advocated for a light-touch regulatory regime that has become a centerpiece of the Trump administration's tech approach.
Cybersecurity
SEC to drop high-profile SolarWinds hack lawsuit
The landmark lawsuit garnered pushback from dozens of cybersecurity leaders last year.
Artificial Intelligence
AI enhances Defense Logistics Agency’s end-to-end operations, CIO says
DLA Chief Information Officer Adarryl Roberts said accelerating Pentagon-wide adoption of AI tools is important because “we need to move at pace to keep up with our adversaries in China and Russia.”
Digital Government
Login.gov director departs for the private sector
Whoever officially leads the government’s identity proofing service next could impact how millions of Americans interact with the government online.
Artificial Intelligence
White House considers order to preempt state AI laws
A draft of a new executive order would withhold federal funding from states with artificial intelligence regulations that are deemed overly punitive or in violation of the First Amendment.
Cybersecurity
FCC votes to reverse telecom security rulemaking issued under Biden
The vote has drawn significant concern from congressional Democrats, who say it will weaken the security posture of telecom systems. The initial measure was enacted in response to Chinese hacks of U.S. telecom providers discovered last year.
Policy
Congress weighed measure to curtail scope of DHS intelligence office
A provision, ultimately left out of the Intelligence Authorization Act, would have removed commonplace collection and analysis authorities granted to the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, rendering much of the office’s functions inert.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers propose grant program to boost AI training in medical schools
The bill would enable qualified medical schools and institutions to receive up to $100,000 in funding to promote AI literacy.
Exclusive
Policy
SSA abandons planned disability program overhaul expected to cut benefits for thousands
Trump administration officials informed the co-founder of a nonprofit disability advocacy group that a proposed rule — which would have updated decades-old occupational data, in addition to changing eligibility considerations — will no longer be moving forward.
Artificial Intelligence