Policy
OMB Finishes Major Tech Policy Overhauls in 2019
The Office of Management and Budget reworked several policies—some of which hadn’t been updated in a decade.
Ideas
Playing with Old Phones Teaches Children Good Habits and Reflects Our Bad Ones Back at Us
During pretend play, children are often acting at a higher level to practice new skills.
Digital Government
Trump Finalizes Pay Raise for Feds in 2020
The new pay tables are out: Federal employees will see a 2.6% increase in basic pay next year, with an average 0.5% increase in locality pay.
Emerging Tech
Has the Rise of Uber Led to More Heavy Drinking?
New research suggests that ride-hailing is associated with increases in drinking behaviors in U.S. cities and metro areas.
Artificial Intelligence
How VA Is Tapping Cutting-Edge Tech for Veterans
From artificial intelligence to Walmart telehealth stations, the agency spent 2019 focused on how tech can augment its health services.
Artificial Intelligence
The Pentagon Wants AI-Driven Drone Swarms for Search and Rescue Ops
The project will likely require AI and unmanned systems developers to work together under the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center.
Ideas
3 Theories for Why You Have No Time
Better technology means higher expectations, and higher expectations create more work.
Ideas
New Year’s Resolutions Federal Employees and Their Agencies Can Actually Keep
Don't worry: Losing weight isn't one of them.
Digital Government
OPM Proposes Making It Easier to Rehire Former Feds
Under a new plan from the Office of Personnel Management, federal agencies would be able to rehire former federal workers at a higher pay grade than their previous job, provided they were high performers.
Digital Government
Agencies Will Start 2020 With 20 Data Actions to Complete by Year’s End
The administration released the Federal Data Strategy Action Plan for the next year, adding four more action items from the draft released in summer.
Digital Government
Federal Contracting Moves that Will Ripple Beyond 2019
After 2019—JEDI drama, a new cybersecurity certification requirement, a major purchase platform flying under the radar and a regulation rollback—govcon might never be the same.
People
OPM pushes plan to fast-track hires of former feds
Under a new rule proposed by the Office of Personnel Management, agencies would be able to offer reinstatement and higher pay grades to former federal employees who are looking to return to government after acquiring new skills.
Modernization
How AI-powered bots could drive the conversation on pending federal regs
Two years after bots flooded the FCC's public comments system over net neutrality, a new report finds publicly available AI tools make it easier than ever to overwhelm public feedback on federal websites
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Remains Bullish on 3D Printing, Despite Regulatory ‘Slog’
Military officials want to put additive manufacturing to broader use, but barriers remain.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: Dec. 24
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Ideas
Robots, AI and Drones: When Did Toys Turn into Rocket Science?
Kids have a lot of options besides blocks.
Cybersecurity
Homeland Security Releases TIC 3.0 Use Cases with Additional Guidance
The government’s cybersecurity department released a draft set of use cases and other guidance to help agencies build secure networks in the age of cloud and mobile.
Cybersecurity
Like Voldemort, Ransomware Is Too Scary to Be Named
Wary of alarming investors, companies victimized by ransomware attacks often tell the SEC that “malware” or a “security incident” disrupted their operations.
Emerging Tech