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Digital Government
Labor Department looks to pilot intaking unemployment claims for states
The effort follows the department’s notice that it may create a national claims database, a move critics say raises cybersecurity, privacy and surveillance risks.
Artificial Intelligence
Agencies and industry announce efforts to further Presidential AI Challenge
The Trump administration is angling to leverage private sector partnerships and an all-hands agency approach to establish a robust U.S. AI workforce and education platform.
Digital Government
Labor seeks to require confidential unemployment data from states
The Labor Department is considering creating a single, national claims database for unemployment compensation information.
Updated
People
Layoffs canceled at federal contractor oversight office, but questions remain about employee reassignments
Employees at the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs received a notice that they will get new job assignments rather than be removed from the civil service.
Artificial Intelligence
Education and workforce training form core of national AI strategy, Labor innovation head says
The new Talent Strategy’s tactics aim to upskill the U.S. workforce for artificial intelligence-based roles.
People
Thomas Shedd departs as Labor CIO
The longtime Tesla engineer appears to still be working at the General Services Administration, according to two employees, even as he leaves his post at the Labor Department.
Modernization
Labor cancels unemployment modernization grants for states
The grant dollars — which the agency has been doling out since Congress allocated funding for fraud and access work in 2021 — don’t align with department priorities anymore, Labor says.
People
Federal contract oversight employees contemplate resignation offer, as agency faces layoffs and mission realignment
Employees at the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs had less than two weeks to decide whether to opt into the second round of the deferred resignation program.
People
TTS director tapped to serve as Labor CIO
Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla engineer, will continue to lead the Technology Transformation Services, a General Services Administration spokesperson confirmed.
Digital Government
Unemployment isn’t recession-ready — but it’s getting better, says acting Labor secretary
Julie Su, the acting Department of Labor secretary, has often been scrutinized for her role in California during the pandemic. She sat down with Nextgov/FCW to talk about unemployment four years later.
Artificial Intelligence
Labor Dept. outlines worker-centric approach to AI in new roadmap
The recommendations for both artificial intelligence software developers and deployers prioritize worker wellbeing and engagement.
Updated
Digital Government
Benefits.gov to shutter in September
The Labor Department’s benefits-focused website dates back to 2002.
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.
Digital Government
Inside the Department of Labor’s collaboration with New Jersey to overhaul unemployment programs
A new application for unemployment claims in the Garden State marks the result of a years-long federal effort to help states modernize their jobless aid efforts.
Digital Government
Labor Department debuts website for migrant workers in 6 new languages
“Our mandate includes protecting the rights of all workers,” a department official told reporters this week.
Artificial Intelligence
White House, Labor look to protect workers from AI-fueled harms
The Labor Department put out new guidance to encourage employers and AI developers to consider worker empowerment amid AI technology deployment.
Digital Government
The Labor Department wants Congress to help to fix unemployment insurance tech, delivery
Among the asks: fund the program adequately, the Labor Department says.
Policy
Lawmakers propose a new federal office to regulate workplace surveillance tech
The new bill from Reps. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., and Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., would also establish new employee rights and employer transparency rules around surveillance.
Digital Government
Labor Department experiments with AI in unemployment systems
The agency plans to use the current “calm” in unemployment claims to better prepare for the next storm.
Digital Government