Digital Government
How the Government Shifted Its Onboarding Strategy During the Pandemic
Despite a largely remote workforce, the government hasn’t stopped hiring employees, especially those performing critical mission functions.
Digital Government
Senate Still Divided on Comprehensive Data Privacy Legislation
Though recent bills are similar, lawmakers have yet to resolve two polarizing issues: preemption and private right to action.
Cybersecurity
Watchdog Highlights Need for Better Cyber Coordination Across Government
A pair of reports point to confusion about the State Department’s new cyber bureau and the vacuum left behind by the eliminated White House cyber coordinator position.
Artificial Intelligence
AI Commission Wants to Know How Government Can Help Industry Boost Commercial Innovation
Answers to a new request for comments will inform the group’s final report.
Digital Government
House Passes Stopgap Spending Bill Seeking to Avoid Shutdown Through Dec. 11
After last-minute negotiations, bill receives bipartisan support.
Cybersecurity
FERC Asks Energy Sector to Report Huawei, ZTE Usage
Amid fears over having to replace equipment, Energy official noted no set timeline for implementing next steps on a related executive order.
Artificial Intelligence
Agencies Should Consider the Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence
Officials pushed agencies to examine the trade-offs—both positive and negative—as they adopt emerging technologies.
Modernization
Bill to Make 988 the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Hotline Heads to the President’s Desk
The Federal Communications Commission is laying the groundwork to launch by mid-2022.
Ideas
On TikTok, the Trump Administration Is Adopting China’s Own Vision for the Internet
Until recently, the United States has been a staunch opponent of data localization laws.
Artificial Intelligence
Hurd, Kelly Introduce Resolution to Encourage Governmentwide Vision of Artificial Intelligence
The resolution urges lawmakers to pass legislation to encourage federal agencies to develop innovative artificial intelligence tools.
Emerging Tech
House Bill Proposes Millions to Build U.S. Quantum Network Infrastructure
The legislation would establish an Energy Department-led “research, development and demonstration program.”
Ideas
Teens Want COVID-19 Advice that Gives Them Safe Ways to Socialize – Not Just Rules for What They Can’t Do
As the pandemic continues, public health messaging will have to help young people find ways to socialize safely and speak to them in their language and on their platforms.
Cybersecurity
Commerce Department to Bar TikTok, WeChat from U.S. App Stores
The Commerce Department announced a list of prohibitions meant to protect U.S. national security against the two Chinese-owned apps.
Modernization
Survey: Most Teleworking Federal Employees Expect to Remain Home for At Least Six More Months
Many more feds say COVID-19 is having little impact on operations than at pandemic outset.
Digital Government
Trump Administration Appeals Block on Census Immigration Plan
Experts have been skeptical about the feasibility of the plan to identify people living here illegally.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Commission Pushes New Programs to Recruit Tech-Savvy Talent into DOD
Adopting emerging technologies will also need a top-down push and restructured leadership, according to National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence recommendations.
Cybersecurity
FBI Fights Intellectual Property Theft from University Offices
Director Christopher Wray noted the importance of attribution in the bureau’s strategy amid growing difficulty investigating cyber crime.
Emerging Tech
Steering Committee Named for NIST’s Quantum-Focused, Public-Private Consortium
The announcement also follows the group’s establishment of a new, more formal membership structure.
Digital Government
Employers in D.C. Region Expect Some Remote Work Into Mid-2021, Survey Finds
About 60% of respondents anticipated less than a third of workers would return to the office by early September because of coronavirus risks. Some are planning for a portion of staff to still be working remotely even next summer.
Policy