Artificial Intelligence
DOD reveals first draft of $15B artificial intelligence contract
The Defense Department wants more companies in the fold for Advana, a multi-domain analytics and AI platform that DOD wants to further scale out.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmaker wants FCC to create AI tool for identifying scams
The measure from Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah., would direct the FCC to develop an online platform that can assess submitted communications and then rate the likelihood that they are scam attempts.
Cybersecurity
Chinese hackers used a ‘range of sophisticated methods’ to breach US telecom providers, insider says
Salt Typhoon deployed various methods to break into telecommunications firms that went far beyond a singular run-of-the-mill credential-stealing attempt, according to a person familiar.
Digital Government
Trump’s first White House debated the role of USDS. What will Trump 2.0 do?
The Office of Management and Budget led an effort to assess USDS — even whether it should exist — during the twilight days of the Trump administration. With another Trump White House incoming, the question of what’s next for the government’s digital SWAT team looms.
Cybersecurity
White House convened telecom leaders as details of Chinese espionage hack unfold
Many of the breached systems were not properly equipped with tools that recorded network activity, making it harder to quickly trace the origins of the hack, a person familiar said.
Digital Government
Agencies credit telework with recruiting, retention gains, GAO finds
A watchdog report examining telework use at four agencies found best practices still need implementation, but the presence, or absence, of telework as an option has affected their ability to attract talent.
Modernization
Education launches 2025-26 FAFSA following weeks of testing
The public release of the online form follows a delayed and glitchy version released last year.
Digital Government
Lawmakers propose electronic tracking system for federal grant applications
The legislation from Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., would also explore the use of artificial intelligence “to rapidly identify” duplicative or fraudulent grant applications.
Emerging Tech
Four Ways to Accommodate the Massive Growth in Space Launches
One suggestion: expand the number of launch sites.
Artificial Intelligence
How much did AI really impact the election?
AI tools can produce realistic deepfakes and synthetic audio that influence public opinion.
Digital Government
Senators call for watchdog to investigate TSA’s use of facial recognition
In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General, 12 senators warned that the deployment of facial biometrics at every U.S. airport could create “one of the largest federal surveillance databases overnight without authorization from Congress.”
Cybersecurity
FCC leaders skirt call for wiretap security reform, hope to ‘go deeper’ on telecom breach briefings
Lawmakers have called on the agency to take up a rulemaking to rethink wiretapping laws amid the hacks that have ensnared several telecom companies, but top FCC officials have not signaled any forthcoming action yet.
Artificial Intelligence
NIST sets up new task force on AI and national security
The Testing Risks of AI for National Security Taskforce will bring federal expertise to test artificial intelligence models in critical use cases.
Ideas
Good luck, Department of Government Efficiency
COMMENTARY | It sounds like a federal agency, but its job is to get rid of them.
Emerging Tech
More than a decade later, NIST’s home of the future is still ahead of its time
NIST wanted to show that energy efficiency did not have to make a residence look like a spaceship, or be uncomfortable to live in.
Exclusive
Policy
FCC to propose first undersea cable security overhaul since 2001
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel cited rising national security risks in conflict zones as a catalyst for the proposed updates to submarine cable regulations.
People
Intelligence IGs head for the exit before Trump’s return
Trump fired five inspectors general during his first administration.
Policy
What Trump 2.0 means for tech and AI regulation
Tech CEO Elon Musk’s growing influence in the Trump transition was at the forefront of discussions.
People
O'Malley to step down as SSA chief this month, seeks political role
Martin O'Malley won plaudits for reinvigorating a resource-starved SSA, but will leave his post early.
Modernization