Emerging Tech
Companies announce billions in investments to support emerging tech
The new corporate investments pledged to U.S. manufacturing aim to support the country’s growing artificial intelligence innovation ecosystem, among others.
Artificial Intelligence
National AI Action plan should expand open-source offerings, respondents say
During the open comment period, a multitude of entities — from private sector to academic research bodies — touted the benefits of a robust open-source AI ecosystem.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump unveils sweeping order to bring AI into US education
The executive order forms a new task force and leverages existing grant programs focused on improving AI education in the U.S.
Ideas
Driving efficiency while improving federal agencies’ cybersecurity postures
COMMENTARY | A lopsided labor-to-technology spending ratio is just one challenge agencies have to take on.
People
OPM proposes rule to formally revive Schedule F
The federal government’s dedicated HR agency estimates that 50,000 federal workers will be stripped of their civil service protections and become at-will employees.
Breaking News
People
White House extends federal hiring freeze until July for most
The Trump administration’s halt on federal civilian hiring, which was supposed to be lifted Monday, will be extended through July, per a memo released late Thursday.
Digital Government
Trump ‘anti-fraud’ memo could allow SSA to stop paying some Americans’ earned benefits
The document’s publication comes just days after reports that DOGE operatives overruled career workers to falsely label thousands of immigrants as dead.
Digital Government
Trump builds on Biden efforts to modernize permitting technology
While many praised the effort as common-sense, workforce cuts across government, as well as the administration’s deregulatory efforts, have raised questions about implementation.
Acquisition
Trump orders major changes to rules covering $1T in federal spending
The Tuesday mandate — which aims to streamline the way government buys goods and services — was accompanied by a second order requiring agencies to predominantly use commercial products, rather than custom-built.
People
Trump signs order targeting former CISA head Chris Krebs
Krebs previously led the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and contradicted baseless claims President Donald Trump made in 2020 that the election that year was rigged against him.
People
NSA firings stoke fears of Trump installing a partisan loyalist to lead spy agency
“We saw it’s possible, without adequate oversight, for our spy agencies to do inappropriate things,” a former senior intelligence official said, referencing the 1970s congressional investigations that revealed many spying abuses against Americans.
Artificial Intelligence
Industry awaits how OMB AI guidance on paper will be implemented in practice
The Trump administration’s new artificial intelligence use and acquisition guidance touches on safeguarding civil liberties, but experts have expressed skepticism about its implementation.
People
Trump fires head of NSA and Cyber Command
Gen. Timothy Haugh’s removal was spurred by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who, earlier Thursday, reportedly urged the president to terminate multiple National Security Council staffers.
Cybersecurity
Tariffs create more volatile environment for cyberattacks, industry executive warns
Tenable Co-CEO Steve Vintz told Nextgov/FCW that the potential trade wars stoked by the Trump administration’s tariffs facilitate conditions that incentivize hacking activity around the globe.
Emerging Tech
Trump calls on OSTP to ‘blaze a trail’ in global tech dominance and R&D
President Trump told Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Kratsios that the office’s mission will be to both compete with foreign adversaries and use technology to improve American life.
Defense
Judge orders agencies to preserve discussions in airstrike Signal chat
The directive targets communications in a Signal chat with top intelligence and national security officials between March 11 and March 15 that discussed strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. The Atlantic magazine’s editor-in-chief was inadvertently added to that chat.
Emerging Tech
Trump aims to sign two stablecoin bills by August, officials say
The bills both establish a regulatory framework for the issuance and trade of dollar-backed stablecoin.
Digital Government
Federal CIO launches effort to 'rationalize' government’s web footprint
The goals follow both preexisting efforts to improve federal website management and recent administration imperatives to increase efficiency.
People
Senate confirms Michael Kratsios to lead White House tech office
As the 13th director of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, Kratsios is set to focus on emerging tech like AI, quantum sciences and biotechnologies.
Digital Government