Emerging Tech
Your face could soon help AI improve facial recognition technology
Clearview head Hal Lambert has stated that one of the company’s new goals is to get its facial database into the hands of the government, and hopefully land some lucrative government contracts.
Exclusive
Modernization
SSA weighs axing payments to 170,000 beneficiaries
The move to cease making payments to people without Social Security numbers would imperil the benefits of thousands of immigrants’ children with disabilities.
Cybersecurity
US lawmakers ask UK court for transparency into Apple backdoor order
The court order issued by the United Kingdom centers on the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, which was invoked to demand Apple provide a backdoor into users’ encrypted iCloud backups.
Cybersecurity
Elon Musk paid a visit to NSA, Cyber Command amid DOGE-led overhauls
Musk’s trip to the signals intelligence office and combatant command is the first recorded instance of him visiting an intelligence agency since President Trump assumed office.
Breaking News
People
DHS taps Antoine McCord for top tech post
McCord is a former Marine and is excited about the use of AI in the agency, people familiar say.
Cybersecurity
Cyberspace Solarium Commission turns five years old
The commission has largely influenced cybersecurity policymaking in Congress through the first half of the decade.
Updated
Digital Government
Judge orders reinstatement for most fired probationary federal workers
The firings were "based on a lie," judge says, who suggests he may extend his order beyond the roughly 24,000 already included.
People
Energy appoints Twitter, Google and DOGE alum as new CIO
Ross Graber most recently supported the nascent Department of Government Efficiency’s work at the State Department, a State Department official told Nextgov/FCW.
Modernization
VA needs updated cost estimate and rollout schedule for EHR, watchdog says
The Government Accountability Office said VA is making “incremental improvements” to its new electronic health record system during an operational pause on additional deployments but added that “much more remains to be done.”
Ideas
Agentic AI adoption is a top priority for defense and intelligence leaders. Here’s why
The integration of AI agents will become increasingly critical across the national security space.
Acquisition
Trump’s ‘pincer maneuver’ reshapes federal contracting landscape
Contractors are under more pressure than before to justify value and embrace innovation as the DOGE seeks radical efficiencies through cuts and process reforms.
Digital Government
Government shutdown prospects increase after Schumer says Democrats won’t vote for GOP funding bill
Democrats have argued that the shutdown fight is an opportunity to push back on Elon Musk-backed agency spending and staff cuts.
Artificial Intelligence
AI advisory committee has voted to finalize transition recommendations for the new admin
The National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee’s report will offer recommendations on 10 AI components to the Trump White House.
Cybersecurity
Republicans urge Trump admin to launch offensive cyber operations against China
The letter cites high-profile Chinese intrusions into U.S. systems that have made headlines in recent months. Trump’s national security officials have expressed a desire to engage in offensive cyber ops against adversaries.
Updated
Digital Government
Shrinking tech team endangers a nationwide disease tracking system at CDC
The CDC was in the middle of updating a public health surveillance system when the Trump administration started shedding workers. What happens next could exemplify the impact to key government programs and systems when tech teams are cut.
People
Trump’s US chief technology officer pick would serve dual-role
Ethan Klein served as a tech policy advisor in the first Trump administration.
Ideas
From bureaucracy to brilliance: AI in federal IT
Here's how government ought to better unlock AI's potential.
Digital Government
House passes GOP funding bill to avoid government shutdown
The measure now heads to the Senate where it’s uncertain if Democrats will provide the votes needed to avoid a lapse in government funding.
Policy
Judge orders DOGE to comply with FOIA requests
Trump officials have argued that records from the government efficiency initiative fall under the Presidential Records Act, which can temporarily shield information from public scrutiny.
People