Artificial Intelligence
Accenture Federal’s new CEO eyes AI-driven transformation during Trump 2.0
Ron Ash sees agencies as having opportunities ahead to modernize legacy systems and improve efficiency by harnessing the power of new tools like agentic artificial intelligence.
Cybersecurity
Space companies say cyber threat intelligence is often overclassified, unactionable
Space and aerospace industry feedback from a series of government-run workshops noted that such threat intelligence is difficult to translate into actionable cyber efforts.
People
Trump’s pick for OMB chief defends removing civil service protections, withholding appropriated funds
Russ Vought laments "weaponized bureaucracies" as he draws bipartisan criticism for declining to commit to following spending laws.
Digital Government
Trump’s Treasury pick pledges to keep IRS Direct File open this tax season
Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary, said that he would have to study the long-term future of the tool. Republicans on Capitol Hill, however, have panned Direct File.
People
Industry tech executive Casey Coleman heads to ServiceNow
She previously worked at Salesforce, in addition to other industry and government positions.
People
Trump taps IBM’s Darío Gil for Energy’s undersecretary for science and innovation
Gil previously served on Trump’s President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology under his first administration.
Cybersecurity
Biden signs executive order inspired by lessons from recent cyberattacks
The order gives CISA more eyes to hunt cyber threats on government networks and directs agencies and contractors to be more transparent about the security of their software stockpiles.
Cybersecurity
Salt Typhoon breach was first detected on federal networks, CISA head says
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly said the group was first detected “before we understood it was Salt Typhoon.”
Digital Government
OMB issues OPEN Government Data Act guidance 6 years after its signing
The law requires agency data to be open by default.
People
Trump pick for CIA chief pledges to remain apolitical amid past controversies
John Ratcliffe was questioned over whether he’d remain an impartial national security official after past incidents as Trump’s former director of national intelligence.
People
‘I know what I don’t know,’ SecDef pick says at confirmation hearing
Hegseth faced questions about his inexperience and fitness as a leader.
Ideas
Attract — and retain — talent with a better developer experience
Cloud-native orgs attract the right kind of tech talent.
Artificial Intelligence
US ‘has to win’ the AI innovation race, OpenAI exec says
Senior Vice President of Global Affairs Chris Lehane commended a recent executive order opening federal land to AI data center development and posited ways to encourage states to back AI development.
Policy
OMB releases last-minute data center guidance
The memo stems from a law included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.
Artificial Intelligence
Biden orders federal land to be leased for AI data center development
The executive action will leverage federally protected lands to develop data centers capable of supporting AI software, with a priority on incorporating clean energy sources.
Cybersecurity
FBI deleted Chinese malware from 4,200 US computers
The malware’s command server appears to be based in Tokyo and was accessed by French authorities who helped craft the code needed to remove the infection.
Artificial Intelligence
USPTO debuts 2025 AI strategy
The agency aims to introduce automation to support patent and trademark application processing.
People
OPM promotes deputy CIO to top tech role
He’ll succeed the recently retired Guy Cavallo in the role.
Artificial Intelligence
HHS AI plan looks to the private sector for collaboration
Public engagement and collaborative partnerships with the private sector “throughout the innovation pipeline” can help ensure that AI tools are being equitably used and deployed, HHS said in its AI strategic plan.
Digital Government