People

Cyber Director nominee talks AI, collaboration at confirmation hearing

Harry Coker, the Biden Administration's choice to lead the Office of the National Cyber Director, said he'll draw on his experience as a program manager to make sure agencies hit their milestones on implementing the government's cyber strategy.

Artificial Intelligence

Commerce launches new safe AI center

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is slated to helm many of the new AI executive order’s guidance documents for safe and responsible development.

Artificial Intelligence

On the heels of Biden's executive order, agencies get White House directive on implementing AI

Agencies will be on the hook for tapping chief AI officers, adding risk management practices to AI like independent evaluations and more.

Artificial Intelligence

Biden signs AI order but stresses need for legislation

The long-anticipated executive order on artificial intelligence is broad, detailed and expansive, but the White House wants Congress to do more.

Artificial Intelligence

Sweeping White House AI order includes mandate for commercial developers

The administration is leveraging the Defense Production Act to get access to safety testing for high-risk artificial intelligence use cases.

Artificial Intelligence

Biden administration angles to ‘lead the world’ with upcoming AI policy

The White House is focused on establishing the U.S. in both AI collaboration and competition.

People

White House honors innovators with science and technology medals

The awardees include employees from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Energy’s Berkeley National Lab.

Artificial Intelligence

White House to issue 'broad' executive order addressing AI risks and standards

Top science advisor Arati Prabhakar said the forthcoming executive order will address a wide swath of potential AI dangers.

Policy

Biden formally announces 5.2% average pay raise for feds in 2024

The annual declaration of a national emergency preventing large automatic raises from taking effect solidifies that 0.5% of the total pay increase figure will go toward an average boost in locality pay.

People

White House names new deputy chief technology officer for policy

Austin Bonner joins White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, though the position of U.S. CTO has not been filled since 2021.

Cybersecurity

White House looks to shore up open source software security

The Office of the National Cyber Director wants software providers to "contribute back to the security of the open source software they depend upon."

Cybersecurity

Biden orders greater restrictions on emerging technology transactions with China 

The new executive order updating the sanctions regime between U.S. citizens and China is a “national security action,” according to an administration official.

Cybersecurity

White House plan to secure schools from cyber threats ‘may not go far enough,’ experts say

As families across the country prepare for the back-to-school season, federal officials are preparing for increased cyberattacks targeting the nation’s education system.

Artificial Intelligence

White House and DARPA challenge innovators to bring AI tools to cyber defense

The AI Cyber Challenge asks leading companies to develop advanced AI systems that will contribute to critical infrastructure cybersecurity — with nearly $20 million available in prizes.

Policy

White House calls on agencies to 'aggressively' reduce telework this fall

Chief of Staff Jeff Zients instructed agencies to focus on executing plans to increase in-person work in September and October.

Cybersecurity

Cyber workforce strategy requires buy-in across sectors, experts say

The new strategy released this week looks to address longstanding challenges in the cyber workforce – but it will require extensive cooperation from the private sector and academia to be successful, experts told Nextgov/FCW. 

People

Biden selects NSA veteran as national cyber director nominee

White House officials named former National Security Agency official Harry Coker, Jr. as the nominee to replace former National Cyber Director Chris Inglis amid the ongoing implementation of the new National Cyber Strategy.

Modernization

Federal agencies plan to spend $770M ramping up their electric vehicle usage this year

The Biden administration has ambitious goals to electrify the federal fleet, but many obstacles remain.

Artificial Intelligence

Biden: New AI agreement will 'shepherd' responsible innovation, but legislation still needed

President Joe Biden made remarks following the announcement of new private sector AI accords, but members of Congress from both parties agreed with the need to develop regulatory law.

Cybersecurity

Justice to merge 2 offices in step with cyber implementation plan

The agency has been granted new and important roles under the Biden administration’s plan to safeguard U.S. digital networks.