Artificial Intelligence

‘We shouldn’t be afraid of artificial intelligence,’ Vance advises US workers

The vice president touted the Trump administration’s efforts to spur innovation through slashing regulations and prioritizing both businesses and workers at a Tuesday event.

Digital Government

SSA head’s 3-month plan touts workforce reductions while calling for identity and AI investment

The acting commissioner at SSA said that he has “made some mistakes” and promised to learn from them in an email to staff Tuesday.

People

Trump continues to curtail union rights and career pipelines

Guidance issued by the Office of Personnel Management last week instructs agencies to ignore union contract provisions on reductions in force, and apply its policies.

Policy

Experts fear global media agency’s gutting will strip key tools against foreign propaganda

U.S. Agency for Global Media programs serve a critical function in the face of U.S. adversaries’ efforts to wage information warfare against American allies and regions of critical interest, an influence operations analyst said.

People

CISA works to contact probationary employees for reinstatement after court order

Trump officials have vowed to downsize the nation’s leading cybersecurity agency. Ex-officials have said the moves would be harmful to national security.

Artificial Intelligence

Inside industry’s wishlist for a new national AI strategy

Private sector companies and industry advocated highlight U.S. dominance, export controls and federal adoption as their biggest wants in a new national AI policy.

Cybersecurity

What’s next for cybersecurity, election info sharing?

Federal funding has been slashed by $10 million for two information sharing centers, which both have tens of thousands of members. A more fragmented and expensive future could follow as states and others go it alone.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

Lawmakers seek DHS records in probe of US response to Chinese cyber campaigns

The House Homeland Security Committee wants DHS to provide internal documents on China’s Volt and Salt Typhoon hacking units, according to a letter being sent Monday.

Ideas

Musk taking wrong approach to creating government efficiencies

COMMENTARY | Everyone agrees a more efficient government makes sense, but is the nascent Department of Government Efficiency actually doing so?

Modernization

IRS is evaluating its tech investments and modernization

The agency has been trying to update a tax processing system that uses an outdated programming code for over a decade.

Digital Government

Veteran suicide hotline employees permitted to work remotely after concerns that in-office requirement would hurt service

One Veterans Crisis Line supervisor said the return to office mandate was creating confusion among staff, presented logistical challenges and could hurt recruitment.

Cybersecurity

US spy chief probing classified chat rooms to pursue leakers

Tulsi Gabbard said recent examples of unauthorized leaks involve data about Iran, Israel, U.S.-Russia relations and activities in ODNI’s counterintelligence office.

Emerging Tech

DOGE to work with USPS to find efficiencies, DeJoy says

The mailing agency will work with GSA and the group led by Elon Musk, who has called for Postal Service privatization.

Emerging Tech

Your face could soon help AI improve facial recognition technology

Clearview head Hal Lambert has stated that one of the company’s new goals is to get its facial database into the hands of the government, and hopefully land some lucrative government contracts.

Exclusive Modernization

SSA weighs axing payments to 170,000 beneficiaries

The move to cease making payments to people without Social Security numbers would imperil the benefits of thousands of immigrants’ children with disabilities.

Cybersecurity

US lawmakers ask UK court for transparency into Apple backdoor order

The court order issued by the United Kingdom centers on the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, which was invoked to demand Apple provide a backdoor into users’ encrypted iCloud backups.

Cybersecurity

Elon Musk paid a visit to NSA, Cyber Command amid DOGE-led overhauls

Musk’s trip to the signals intelligence office and combatant command is the first recorded instance of him visiting an intelligence agency since President Trump assumed office.

Breaking News People

DHS taps Antoine McCord for top tech post

McCord is a former Marine and is excited about the use of AI in the agency, people familiar say.