Policy
Tech bills of the week: Updated AI innovation; expanding cybersecurity for SNAP; and more
This week’s legislation addresses cybersecurity measures for EBT cards, pushes universal AI testing standards forward, and strengthens oversight of tech education programming for veterans.
Digital Government
These former government tech leaders are prepping day-one plans for a future administration
Mikey Dickerson, the first head of the U.S. Digital Service, is a senior advisor for the effort, called the Tech Viaduct.
Ideas
Memo to JD Vance: Fighting the war on waste
COMMENTARY | The White House's proposed war on fraud, waste and abuse is neither new nor an assured outcome for any presidential administration, but history offers some lessons that can help get started.
Emerging Tech
It would take the Pentagon months to replace Anthropic’s AI tools: sources
AI maker digs in with Thursday statement rejecting DOD pleas for unfettered use.
People
CISA acting director moved to new DHS role
Madhu Gottumukkala will be moved into a strategic implementation role in the Department of Homeland Security. Nick Andersen will take his place.
People
Wyden to block confirmation for NSA director, citing lack of experience
The senator, in part, took issue with Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s responses to questions regarding civil liberties and oversight against unlawful surveillance.
Acquisition
Air Force Research Lab seeks more national approach for innovation
Lab officials give a first glimpse at how they want to expand on a pilot program for turning dual-use technology into operational capability.
Modernization
Bipartisan lawmakers worried about shaky progress on modernized government worker background check system
The IT system undergirding the overhauled background check program is nearly a decade behind schedule and billions over budget.
Digital Government
Washington promises UFO disclosure. History suggests otherwise.
Disclosure may not reveal alien visitors, but it will reveal something equally important: how science, measurement and skepticism slowly turn mystery into understanding.
Policy
White House ‘war on fraud’ to begin with freezing Medicaid payments to Minnesota
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the move “retribution.”
People
CISA CIO expected to leave agency after receiving transfer orders
Last month, the cyber agency’s acting director reportedly took steps to transfer Costello, but other political appointees blocked it.
Policy
White House seeks clean extension on controversial spying law
Despite Donald Trump’s previous misgivings, his administration is signaling confidence in the statute with its current stance.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers from both parties back data center permitting reform
Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., estimates the U.S. will need “about 85 gigawatts [more] a year in order to keep pace with our demand.”
People
DOJ elevates deputy CIO to top IT role
Nikki Collier had been serving as the acting CIO since Melinda Rogers left the role last year, according to the CIO Council’s website.
Cybersecurity
Hackers are exploiting exposed Cisco products, Five Eyes intelligence agencies say
A Cisco threat intelligence report calls the cyberintruders “highly sophisticated” but stops short of naming any affiliation with a foreign nation.
Ideas
The diminished state of Defense IT acquisition and how to fix it
COMMENTARY | Here’s what the Defense Department can do to improve IT acquisition outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump unveils Big Tech pledge to offset rising data center energy costs
President Donald Trump’s national address touched on the rising energy costs incurred by increasing AI use, in addition to reinforcing his administration’s imperative to tackle fraud in government programs.
Digital Government
House Democrats say TrumpRx portal exaggerates prescription discounts
Despite the White House’s claim that the platform offers the world’s lowest prices on prescriptions, Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a report saying “for nearly half of the drugs listed on TrumpRx, that is either misleading or completely false.”
Artificial Intelligence
CMS saved $2 billion by using AI to fight fraud, official says
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services COO Kim Brandt talked about her agency’s use cases for artificial intelligence in the ongoing battle against fraudulent medical claims.
Cybersecurity