Artificial Intelligence
VHA lacks ‘formal mechanism’ for mitigating clinical AI chatbot risks, watchdog says
VA’s OIG said it is concerned “about VHA’s ability to promote and safeguard patient safety without a standardized process for managing AI-related risks.”
People
Rudd defends qualifications to lead NSA, Cyber Command at confirmation hearing
“For decades I have had the opportunity to be a leader, consumer, enabler, generator and integrator of the intelligence and operational capabilities of the NSA and Cyber Command,” INDOPACOM Deputy Commander Josh Rudd said.
Emerging Tech
House science committee to host hearing on National Quantum Initiative Act
The hearing will feature staff from several scientific agencies to evaluate the law’s progress and future.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers worry over new rule that will allow sales of Nvidia’s H200 chips to China
A revised licensing review policy will allow Chinese firms to purchase Nvidia’s H200 chips, although some members of Congress say the move will embolden Beijing’s own AI ambitions.
People
Experts see NSA nominee’s Pacific experience as a boost to US cyber posture on China
Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd currently serves as deputy commander of Indo-Pacific Command.
Artificial Intelligence
Democrats question White House tech lead on how workforce churn will impact AI Action Plan
Several House lawmakers also worried over whether the Trump administration’s budget request for 2026 would fall short of the funding agencies need to successfully carry out the White House’s AI action plan.
Artificial Intelligence
Grok is in, ethics are out in Pentagon’s new AI-acceleration strategy
Seven projects are to lead the charge to embed artificial intelligence ever more deeply in military affairs.
People
Trump renominates Plankey to lead CISA
The cyberdefense agency has been without a permanent director for the past year.
Digital Government
Bill to improve government’s anti-fraud checks heads to Trump’s desk
House lawmakers passed a bipartisan proposal on Monday to give the Treasury Department’s Do Not Pay system permanent access to death records at the Social Security Administration.
Ideas
From the trenches: Five essential lessons for federal IT modernization
COMMENTARY | Treating technology as a silver bullet, separate from its operational context, is a common pitfall.
Cybersecurity
Experts press for large‑scale US offensive cyber operations at House hearing
The U.S. will be “hamstrung” until it fully integrates cyber and computer network matters into its military doctrine, the head of the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure said.
Emerging Tech
Quantum cameras could remake space-based intelligence
A Boston startup is getting ready to test a new imagery method for orbital satellites.
Artificial Intelligence
Report: Workforce shortages, security fears among biggest hindrances to agency AI adoption
A report issued by Google Public Sector shed light on the state of play for federal AI adoption, finding most efforts are currently in pilot programs and held up by security concerns.
Policy
Trump administration gets less tech funding than requested in new bicameral bills
The fund that supports the U.S. DOGE Service would receive less than half of what was requested, and the bills do not include explicit reauthorization for the Technology Modernization Fund.
Emerging Tech
DHS launches office for drone and counter-drone technologies
The agency said the new office is already in the process of finalizing a $115 million investment in counter-drone tech that will be used to help secure the FIFA World Cup and activities celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Artificial Intelligence
OneGov deals helping expand agencies’ AI adoption, GSA official says
Zach Whitman, GSA's chief AI officer and data scientist, said the OneGov initiative “has provided a procurement pathway for a lot of these agencies who may have had early, light contact with some of these technologies.”
Digital Government
Predictions 2026: Three ways government tech will surprise us this year
2026 looks like a year when government technology settles into its next phase of maturity.
People
NSA alum returns to agency to serve as deputy director
Tim Kosiba became the number two leader in the National Security Agency after a prior deputy pick was jettisoned following criticism from far-right activist Laura Loomer.
People
GSA’s procurement chief is attending negotiations for Ukraine and Gaza
Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum most recently attended a “coalition of the willing” in Paris to discuss Ukrainian security.
People