Modernization

Inside the IRS push for digital transformation

IRS employees at an Austin, Texas processing center must still sort through heaps of paper documents. But digitization tools are being powered on to help.

Cybersecurity

Applications are open for IoT device cyber certifiers

The program seeks to help consumers make more informed buying decisions about everyday technology products that can be prone to attempted hacks.

Modernization

VA needs stricter oversight for EHR deployment, top Republican says

Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., who chairs the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, said he appreciated VA’s engagement with Congress “about establishing some metrics that Oracle has to abide by in order to keep this moving forward.”

Exclusive Modernization

IRS will stick with legacy processing system for the upcoming tax season

The IRS is waiting to switch away from the old Individual Master File “out of an abundance of caution,” despite hopes to potentially convert to the new one this year, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told Nextgov/FCW.

Ideas

How to be data-ready for AI adoption

COMMENTARY: Outcomes are only as reliable as the data supporting generative AI tools.

Emerging Tech

Microsoft unveils new quantum computing hybrid solution in Azure

Azure Quantum combines cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and logical qubits to bring quantum computing strength to scientific challenges.

Acquisition

GSA further details its plan for Ascend cloud program

Software-as-a-service vendors and providers of cloud-related IT professional services are who the General Services Administration wants to hear from now.

Artificial Intelligence

Agencies have met all AI mandates for management and talent, watchdog says

The Government Accountability Office said agencies’ compliance with 13 key AI benchmarks in the 2023 executive order “is likely to increase AI expertise in high-priority areas quickly and more efficiently.”

Modernization

Could an easy radio fix have prevented the Trump assassination attempt?

“Being able to talk to other agencies real-time certainly would assist in that response,” one official said.

Artificial Intelligence

Commerce to propose rule requiring US industry to report on dual-use AI capabilities

The Industry and Security Bureau is set to publish a proposed rule that will ask U.S. companies for information on their AI capabilities per requirements under the Defense Production Act.

Artificial Intelligence

US joins Council of Europe’s AI and human rights framework

By signing the Framework Convention of artificial intelligence this week, the U.S. pledges to mitigate AI-based discrimination.

Modernization

Space missions rely on private sector engagement, NASA official says

The space agency needs to work more closely with its commercial providers to meet critical flight requirements.

Digital Government

Russia’s influence operations aim to tip US election in favor of Donald Trump, intel official says

The assessment comes two days after the DOJ and others took steps to identify and blunt Russian influence operations.

Policy

Trump vows to establish an 'efficiency commission' with Elon Musk at the helm

The former president said the Tesla CEO has “agreed” to head up a task force aimed at cutting federal programs.

Cybersecurity

5 Russian military hackers plotted to spread malware to Ukraine through a US company, new charges say

The hackers also tried to target a federal agency based in Maryland, the Justice Department alleges.

Defense

Space Force aims to track enemy aircraft with satellites by 2030s

Research underway to shift tracking of air and ground targets to more survivable orbiting assets.

Cybersecurity

White House cyber czar launches new hiring sprint 

The federal government’s main occupational series for IT jobs saw 3,000 open positions in fiscal 2024.

Updated Cybersecurity

US says Russia conducted sustained disinformation campaign to sway 2024 election

The Justice Department unsealed an indictment accusing two Russian state media employees of contributing to the election influence efforts.

Artificial Intelligence

CIA looks to fast track AI adoption through cloud contract

A CIA official said the agency is working with the five recipients of its Commercial Cloud Enterprise contract to “get commercial [large language models] up into our high-side environments.”