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
‘Over half’ of federal websites got better in the past year, OMB official says
Metrics released by the Office of Management and Budget offer insight into how agencies are implementing the 21st Century IDEA Act.
Artificial Intelligence
AI tools can help reduce climate risks, State strategy says
The release of the National Adaptation and Resilience Planning Strategy comes as a series of wildfires continue to burn across the Los Angeles area.
Emerging Tech
Commerce announces new export control on US AI products
The new export controls will alter licensing requirements for AI chips and closed-source models to allow allied nations to access U.S. AI innovation while preventing adversarial nations from doing so.
Digital Government
IRS Direct File to open a week after Trump’s inauguration
Republicans on Capitol Hill have asked the incoming president to scrap the free tax filing service developed during the Biden administration.
Emerging Tech
Global space economy tracking toward $944B by 2033: report
Emerging tech, government investment to fuel space spending.
People
Top Oversight Democrat says he’s open to collaborate with the DOGE
The new Department of Government Efficiency — which, despite the “department” referenced in its name, is an advisory effort, not a government department — has aims to trim the federal workforce and hunt efficiencies in tech and fraud reduction efforts.
Emerging Tech
El Capitan supercomputer is ready to handle nuclear stockpile and AI workflows
The fastest supercomputer in the world, housed at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, was dedicated to U.S. national security missions on Thursday, supported by novel hybrid processing chips.
Ideas
Generative AI in Government: What to Expect in 2025
2025 may be a major year for generative AI adoption across government.
People