Cybersecurity
US can focus on both offensive and defensive cyber, top NSC official says
Offensive measures are “an important tool of the toolbox that we’ll be unafraid to use,” Alexei Bulazel said. “But that’s not to say we don’t need to do normal blocking-and-tackling cyber defense.”
Cybersecurity
White House cyber office calls for ‘whole of nation’ effort to deter nation-state hackers
Newly-confirmed ONCD director Sean Cairncross wants to work with the private sector to develop a toolkit for stopping foreign hackers and boosting U.S. cyberdefenses.
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.
People
Airbnb co-founder and DOGE associate to head new federal design office
Joe Gebbia has been working on modernizing retirement processes at the Office of Personnel Management as part of his work with the Department of Government Efficiency.
Digital Government
Trump signs order calling for improved government design
The new “America by Design” effort includes a recruiting push for relevant talent — though the administration has shed many government designers since Trump took office.
Exclusive
Artificial Intelligence
Trump administration hopes AI can mitigate staffing losses, federal CIO says
Gregory Barbaccia, who was named the federal chief information officer just a week into the new administration, said one of his priorities is learning how to do more with less.
Artificial Intelligence
Senate Democrats decry Trump decision to allow advanced chip sales to China
Upper chamber lawmakers want answers from the Trump administration on the 15% fee Trump said NVIDIA and AMD must pay to be able to sell their more advanced products to a major U.S. adversary.
Digital Government
On Social Security’s 90th birthday, the Trump administration continues to tout faulty stats
At a White House ceremony, the president and Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano repeatedly recited already debunked myths about the Social Security Administration’s customer service and benefits fraud.
Acquisition
FAR Council releases changes to 6 sections of acquisition regulation
The White House celebrated the changes as a milestone in its effort to overhaul and simplify the rules surrounding federal buying.
Policy
How Trump’s DC takeover could supercharge surveillance
The emergency declaration, combined with new tech, will give government broad new abilities to watch and monitor citizens.
People
Trump federalizes D.C. police, says takeover will enable federal employees to work in peace
Agency officials say federal staff are excited and prepared for new deployments.
Cybersecurity
In pitch to hacker community, Trump’s NSC cyber lead says AI key to future of cyberdefense
At DEF CON, Alexei Bulazel said AI-powered tools will give software developers “incredible abilities” to harden networks by adding multilayered checks to the code-scanning process and catching flaws that might otherwise slip through.
Digital Government
Trump is outpacing his first term in deleting environmental information
The restriction of language and removal of information makes it harder to address climate issues, say the authors of a new report on environmental information under Trump 2.0.
Cybersecurity
Federal CISO urges cyber community to start sharing and scaling their solutions
The Trump administration wants to ease regulatory burdens on the cyber industry with a mindset where there is still room for policymaking. It largely begins with the private sector.
People
Senate confirms Sean Cairncross to be national cyber director under Trump
Sean Cairncross, a former RNC official, is the first person to head the Office of the National Cyber Director under Donald Trump.
Digital Government
White House launches digital health initiative backed by leading tech firms
President Trump said the effort to create a more robust digital health ecosystem will give providers and patients more streamlined access to health information.
Artificial Intelligence
White House tech director breaks down plan to balance AI national security and export promotion
White House OSTP Director Michael Kratsios said that the “highest end of semiconductors” should fall under export controls, but the administration still wants the world using U.S. technology.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump’s order to remove ‘woke’ AI from government may have ‘downstream impacts,’ experts worry
Some experts and advocates warned that last week's executive order will have a chilling effect on free speech.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump signs 3 executive orders to advance AI
The orders mirror tenets outlined in the administration’s National AI Action Plan released earlier that day.
Artificial Intelligence