Ideas
A Month at Sea with No Technology Taught Me How to Steal My Life Back from My Phone
No app is really going to help you quit using your phone.
Modernization
IRS Reforms Free File Program, Drops Agreement Not to Compete With TurboTax
The changes come after ProPublica’s reporting showed how TurboTax maker Intuit tricked customers into paying for tax prep they could have gotten for free.
Policy
President Trump Signs Law to Curb Unwanted Robocalls
The law supports several federal agencies in more aggressively combating the annoying, automatic calls.
Modernization
Survey: Feds View Security as Biggest Hurdle to Cloud Adoption
While agencies are becoming increasingly reliant on cloud services, a survey reveals pain points in getting there.
Digital Government
GSA Wants Public Feedback on its eRulemaking Modernization Effort
The agency will accept comments and host two town-hall style meetings to address opportunities and public concerns on a range of related topics.
Modernization
After Two Years, JEDI is Finally Underway
The second year of competition for the Pentagon’s controversial cloud contract was as dramatic as the first.
Ideas
The 5 Most Important Federal Government Tech Predictions to Watch in 2020
Chats with government leaders point to a few areas of common interest.
Policy
OMB Finishes Major Tech Policy Overhauls in 2019
The Office of Management and Budget reworked several policies—some of which hadn’t been updated in a decade.
Ideas
Playing with Old Phones Teaches Children Good Habits and Reflects Our Bad Ones Back at Us
During pretend play, children are often acting at a higher level to practice new skills.
Artificial Intelligence
How VA Is Tapping Cutting-Edge Tech for Veterans
From artificial intelligence to Walmart telehealth stations, the agency spent 2019 focused on how tech can augment its health services.
Digital Government
Agencies Will Start 2020 With 20 Data Actions to Complete by Year’s End
The administration released the Federal Data Strategy Action Plan for the next year, adding four more action items from the draft released in summer.
Modernization
How AI-powered bots could drive the conversation on pending federal regs
Two years after bots flooded the FCC's public comments system over net neutrality, a new report finds publicly available AI tools make it easier than ever to overwhelm public feedback on federal websites
Cybersecurity
Homeland Security Releases TIC 3.0 Use Cases with Additional Guidance
The government’s cybersecurity department released a draft set of use cases and other guidance to help agencies build secure networks in the age of cloud and mobile.
Policy
Congress Approves Bill to Crack Down on Scam Robocalls
“There are no blue robocalls; there are no red robocalls — only despised robocalls.”
Modernization
Automation in acquisition
Acquisition leaders say automation technologies will allow for more accountability in government.
Modernization
GSA’s $50B Telecom Contract Is Now Truly Open for Business
More than two years after awards were announced, agencies can now issue task orders to all nine vendors on the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract.
Modernization
DOT harnesses machine learning for regulations
The Department of Transportation is leveraging a machine learning-based dashboard to help agency employees navigate its ocean of rules and regulations.
Modernization
Microsoft Gets Temporary Authority to Host Secret Classified Defense Data
A Defense agency has granted Microsoft a temporary provisional authority to host data at Impact Level 6 for the next 90 days.
Modernization
DOD preps new spectrum strategy
The Defense Department is combining electromagnetic spectrum and electronic warfare into a single strategy for 2020.
Modernization