Modernization
VHA's $8.5M Emergency Comms System Largely Inoperable, OIG Finds
An audit conducted by VA’s Office of Inspector General found that an estimated 80% of the emergency communications systems deployed at 184 VA medical facilities are “not fully operational.”
Modernization
Treasury Seeks Automated Software Testing and Lifecycle Management Tools
The agency is looking to move away from manual testing and instead use automated testing for reusable scripts and to track tests.
Ideas
Artificial Intelligence and Drone Tactics Maneuver into Advanced Military Simulations
The war in Ukraine has made drones a powerful frontline weapon, more user-friendly AIs have been created, and the quality of computer graphics has also improved.
Digital Government
National Park Service considers a digital park pass
Making a digital option for the American the Beautiful pass series that would live on mobile phone wallets is a goal shared by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Angus King (I-Maine), who introduced a bill that would require digital passes in February.
Digital Government
New FCC Rule Aims to Kill Spam Texts at the Source
Additional proposals would give consumers more options, such as adding text messages to the Do-Not-Call registry.
Artificial Intelligence
FDA Wants to use AI to Assess Pharmaceuticals
The agency is looking for a small business to provide the service to help examine freeze-dried pharmaceuticals and complex generic drug products.
Ideas
Buzz on Hard-right Social Media Makes for Civil Unrest
Researchers found an increase in hard-right social media activity correlates with an increased number of hard-right civil unrest events during the following month.
Cybersecurity
Cyber Strategy Aims to Ensure Secure US Tech Design, Set International Example
Federal cybersecurity experts cited the importance of international and domestic partnerships in implementing cybersecurity standards and protocols.
Defense
Pentagon lags on software buying reforms, GAO says
A GAO report has found that DOD has yet to implement several recommendations from advisory boards towards achieving its modernization goals.
Modernization
VA Again Delays Rollout of New Electronic Health Record System
The Department of Veterans Affairs, which announced last October it was pausing rollouts of its new EHR system until June 2023, said it “is not yet ready” to move forward with the software’s scheduled deployment at the VA Saginaw Healthcare System.
Cybersecurity
CISA director details plan to address security risks in open source software
From hiring an open source security lead to establishing new public-private sector initiatives, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is taking open source software security risks head on, according to Jen Easterly.
Emerging Tech
NASA Makes 6 Awards to Help Advance Air and Space Exploration
The concepts include quantum radar technology and using bacteria to make on-demand drugs in space.
Digital Government
IRS outlines tech modernization, CX plans as part of $80 billion overhaul
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told reporters on Thursday that technology will be key to achieving the agency’s intentions to transform customer service at the agency and shrink the tax gap.
Ideas
It Takes a Body to Understand the World
Why ChatGPT and other language AIs don’t know what they’re saying.
Emerging Tech
Labor Dept. Watchdog Urges 'Extreme Caution' on Facial Recognition
Since the start of the pandemic and an upswing in fraudulent claims in the jobless aid systems, the use of facial recognition in identity checks has spread across states, raising OIG concerns about access and privacy.
Digital Government
Satellite Ground Stations Are Vulnerable, US Warns
The Space Development Agency is beefing up satellite constellations—but keeping an eye on terrestrial attacks.
Digital Government
Labor Dept. watchdog urges 'extreme caution' on facial recognition
Since the start of the pandemic and an upswing in fraudulent claims in the jobless aid systems, the use of facial recognition in identity checks has spread across states, raising OIG concerns about access and privacy.
Digital Government
Republican Lawmakers Want to Know Where $50B CHIPS Funding is Going
Several Republican leaders sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo asking for details about the funding.
Cybersecurity
Genesis Black Market Dismantled, But Experts Warn of Potential Vacuum
A major coordinated effort took down the black market for stolen data, but experts warn the fight to secure data is ongoing.
Modernization