Artificial Intelligence
NIH seeks to engage patients as it scales use of AI with Bio Genesis Mission
The agency is in the early stages of determining how exactly it will collaborate with other agencies on the Bio Genesis Mission it announced in July.
Artificial Intelligence
Hawley launches committee investigation into OpenAI’s breach of Hugging Face
Following reports of two autonomous attacks conducted by OpenAI’s agents, Sen. Josh Hawley sent a letter to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for answers.
Acquisition
GSA unveils new, token-based OneGov discount with OpenAI
OpenAI’s move from offering a flat fee to a usage-based approach comes as agreements with other AI companies like Anthropic and Gemini are set to expire at the end of the month.
Cybersecurity
White House plans to take water cyber pilot into other sectors
Sean Cairncross also outlined plans for a cyber academy that would combine venture capital and other private sector initiatives with a service component.
Defense
‘We have to throw technology at the cyber problem,’ Pentagon CIO says
Defense Department Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies said the Pentagon has to focus on “leveraging the fantastically skilled people that we have in a much more effective way.”
People
Trump is staffing up agencies with political appointees. They’re not sticking around, new analysis finds
The Partnership for Public Service previously reported on high turnover among Senate-confirmed political appointees during the president’s second term. In a new report, researchers from the nonprofit find a similar trend with non-Senate-confirmed ones.
Artificial Intelligence
AI safety advocacy group launches new state-level effort
Americans for Responsible Innovation debuted the advocacy arm to bring responsible AI policy assistance to local lawmakers.
Acquisition
CMMC's Phase 2 suspension locked in with binding regulation
A new class deviation moves the pause on third-party assessments for this security standard from policy to an enforceable rule.
People
CISA has roughly 250 prospective hires awaiting clearance, agency chief says
Acting Director Nick Andersen says the agency is prioritizing operational teams and regional staff as it works to rebuild its workforce after reductions last year.
Artificial Intelligence
Democrats mull creating a select AI committee if they win the House
Reps. Bill Foster, D-Ill., and Ted Lieu, D-Calif., are advocating for the new select committee as a way to solely focus on artificial intelligence legislative issues.
Acquisition
GSA and CMS continue Medicaid tech vendor collaboration, but its impact is likely limited, experts say
The partnership is part of the broader CMS effort to help states comply with Medicaid work requirements enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers ask Commerce to sanction Indian firms involved in mercenary hacking
The “hack-for-hire” entities have systematically targeted newsrooms covering corporate fraud, legal teams in high-stakes litigation and NGOs.
Digital Government
Trump signs veterans benefits order calling for improved data sharing
The order instructs the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense to conduct a broad review of information technology-related contracts to ensure greater interoperability.
Cybersecurity
New FBI cyber strategy seeks faster action against hackers, larger industry role
The bureau wants more frequent disruption operations and quicker warnings to victims as the Justice Department works through rules for expanded private sector participation in hacking cybercrime groups.
Artificial Intelligence
Intelligence agencies warn of China’s large-scale AI model distillation efforts
Three agencies issued a joint statement warning that Chinese companies DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, Alibaba, MiniMax, StepFun and Z.AI have used the tactics to extract billions of tokens from U.S. models.
Cybersecurity
CIA cyber intelligence helped US forces capture Maduro, deputy director says
Michael Ellis credited the agency’s cyber intelligence officers with helping U.S. troops locate and apprehend the Venezuelan leader within minutes of landing.
People
Musk should testify about overstated savings from DHS contract cancellations, Democrats argue
The Government Accountability Office reported that contract terminations pushed by the Department of Government Efficiency yielded a net of $92 million — much less than the Homeland Security Department’s public report of as much as $10.5 billion in potential savings.
Acquisition
Pentagon unveils first of two solicitations for its next big cloud contract
The hyperscalers can now start working on proposals for their portion of the Joint Warfighter Cloud Capability recompete, while a second contract is in-the-works to cover everything else.
Digital Government
SSA needs to enhance its data verification systems, watchdog finds
Improving matches between agency and external data could reduce improper payments, inaccurate records and manual work for federal employees the agency’s inspector general found.
Artificial Intelligence