Artificial Intelligence
DHS generative AI pilot embraces hiccups of emerging tech
Michael Boyce, the director of the AI Corps at the Department of Homeland Security said a pilot program using generative AI to train new asylum and refugee officers is leaning into hallucinations to better mirror real interviews.
Cybersecurity
Several DOD IT programs still don’t have a cyber strategy, watchdog finds
Cyber strategy requirements in the Defense Department’s IT business unit date back to at least 2014. A government watchdog thinks it's time for an update.
Emerging Tech
NASA’s astronauts return after a year living on simulated Mars
Everything about the mission was conducted to simulate an actual Martian environment.
Artificial Intelligence
AI can enhance border security but won’t close workforce gap, lawmakers say
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is facing a “major shortfall” of about 5,000 personnel, according to Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif.
Digital Government
Jobless aid programs get a facelift under a bipartisan Senate proposal
The bill responds to asks from the oversight community, in addition to instituting requirements for states administering the funds.
Cybersecurity
NIST will fire the ‘starting gun’ in the race to quantum encryption
Experts in the public and private sectors highlighted how to proactively transition networks to quantum-resilient standards.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmaker looks to update standards for AI-generated robocalls
A new proposal from Rep. Rick Allen, R-Ga., would make calls created by artificial intelligence tools “subject to the same regulations and standards as traditional telephone-based systems.”
Policy
Russian influence operations ‘preeminent threat’ to November election, officials warn
Moscow appears to continue favoring Donald Trump, while other nations will aim to sow divisional chaos online or sway broader geopolitical discussions.
Cybersecurity
US, allies take down Kremlin-backed AI bot farm
The bot farm allegedly originated from a deputy manager at RT — a Russian state-backed news agency — and spread disinformation on the X social media platform.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump pledges to ax Biden’s AI executive order
The newly adopted Republican platform calls the executive order “dangerous.”
Emerging Tech
Diverting TSA funds harms deployment of new tech, lawmakers warn
A bill to keep all 9/11 security fee collections at TSA would help the agency more quickly deploy facial recognition capabilities, but its supporters say privacy still needs to be prioritized.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Patchwork cyber laws cost the government money, Amazon security chief says
An exclusive conversation with Amazon CSO Steve Schmidt unpacks his views on cyber policy themes this year.
Defense
DARPA wants to use AI to find new rare minerals
With spectral analysis, it’s possible to “tell the difference [between] cocaine that came from one cartel’s area of Colombia versus another.”
Digital Government
DHS selects 6 digital wallet startups for identity security contracts
The agency aims to facilitate more ways to comply with travel document requirements while safeguarding U.S. citizen privacy.
Modernization
Transportation’s working capital fund is missing controls for cost recovery, IG warns
The watchdog’s findings include an accidental overbilling by upwards of $16,000.
People
Hitting the gas at Energy
CIO Ann Dunkin talks FITARA, modernization and the challenge of managing IT in an environment driven by high-performance technology.
Defense
Typos could steer sensitive messages to Mali, DOD warns
Millions of emails intended for the Department of Defense have been directed to Mali because of spelling errors in the recipient's email domain.
Acquisition
FedRAMP unveils new framework for prioritizing emerging tech
The cloud security program’s new Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework spells out new processes and guidance for cloud services providers specifically offering AI-based capabilities.
Artificial Intelligence
The US intelligence community is embracing generative AI
Intelligence agencies are using generative AI for a variety of purposes, including content triage and assisting analysts.
Artificial Intelligence