Policy
White House S&T strategy calls for new approaches to safeguard US research
The new guidance says the U.S. "will further strengthen its workforce by attracting and retaining top-tier global talent in critical national security S&T fields” — a departure from last year’s National Security Strategy that said global talent “undercuts American workers.”
Acquisition
IARPA launches new acquisition marketplace
The IARPA Solutions Marketplace is designed to help the intelligence community more rapidly procure innovative products from industry.
Modernization
Congress reauthorized the Technology Modernization Fund through the fiscal year. Why that matters and what’s next
COMMENTARY | Acting TMF Executive Director Jessie Posilkin argues that reauthorizing the fund lets agencies modernize key systems, save taxpayer dollars and deliver faster, more reliable services to the public.
Artificial Intelligence
Bipartisan pair of senators acknowledge need for federal AI standard that accounts for state laws
Sens. Cantwell and Young sound off on the policy requirements the U.S. needs to strengthen its scientific enterprise to win the global AI race.
Artificial Intelligence
White House unveils AI action plan targeting regulation and ‘ideological bias’
The Trump administration’s goal is to make the U.S. a pro-AI innovation economy, relying on less bureaucratic barriers and open-source models to help win the global tech race.
Artificial Intelligence
Republican legislators voice support for public funding in AI research
The senators advocated for continued federal investment in artificial intelligence research and development, along with nimble regulation and industry collaboration.
Emerging Tech
DHS sets its research sights on 8 emerging technologies
The Department of Homeland Security’s Innovation, Research and Development Strategic Plan focuses its investment the next seven years on AI, cybersecurity, biotech and more.
Artificial Intelligence
NASA is working to onboard AI tools
The space agency is testing a generative AI capability that officials expect to go live this summer with approvals to use sensitive internal data.
Emerging Tech
Space operations likely to be shaped by sustainable emerging tech, report says
Innovative capabilities that promote reusability, safety and longevity are likely to dictate the future of space exploration, according to a recent white paper from Forecast International.
Ideas
Driving innovation from the middle
COMMENTARY | NASA's Jennifer Elkins is an example of how senior civil servants can affect change in large organizations.
People
The White House’s tech team, 10 years after HealthCare.gov
Mina Hsiang, the administrator of the U.S. Digital Service, was on the team that saved the flawed website supporting Affordable Care Act enrollment 10 years ago. Now, she leads the tech team born from that crisis.
Digital Government
Civic hackers explore ways to streamline government operations
Lawmakers and technologists united for a day of civic hacking on Capitol Hill as part of an effort to modernize government services and make government operations more efficient.
Emerging Tech
Emerging tech is an SBA priority for both internal systems and external assistance
The Small Business Administration is leading the charge to democratize access to emerging technologies — particularly AI — across U.S. companies.
Emerging Tech
IARPA’s new pants will record your location
The intelligence research agency is crafting smart clothing technology equipped with audio, video and geolocation sensors.
Digital Government
DOD’s data integration experiments help to identify benefits and barriers to new tech
“We want to fail,” the deputy chief of the Pentagon’s AI office said about a series of experiments supporting the Defense Department’s JADC2 efforts.
Artificial Intelligence
DOD experimenting with generative AI, even as ‘potential downsides’ give officials pause
The deputy chief of the agency’s AI office said the department is working with industry to address concerns about the emerging tech.
Emerging Tech
Citizens are helping government reach its ambitious scientific goals
The government is looking for everyday people to help collect, study or parse information related to various scientific projects.
Policy
Congress must use budget power to move tech firms out of Beijing’s orbit, former lawmaker says
Former congressman and Under Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy said lawmakers need to be focused “like a bulldog on a bone” when ensuring the U.S. is positioned to compete with China’s tech ambitions.
Digital Government
Worried that your TV is listening to you? IARPA wants to safeguard your voice
The intelligence community’s research agency wants to develop technology to anonymize voices recorded by electronic devices and help safeguard privacy.
Emerging Tech