Artificial Intelligence

Biden orders federal land to be leased for AI data center development

The executive action will leverage federally protected lands to develop data centers capable of supporting AI software, with a priority on incorporating clean energy sources.

Ideas

Generative AI in Government: What to Expect in 2025

2025 may be a major year for generative AI adoption across government.

Cybersecurity

Forthcoming executive order seeks to plug holes in federal cyber practices

The eleventh-hour cybersecurity executive action asks agencies to rethink software procurement, supply chains and AI, among other things.

Exclusive Digital Government

Coming cyber executive order includes a push to mobile drivers licenses

The draft order does not, however, tackle the full breadth of actions that were expected from a promised identity executive order that has yet to materialize.

Cybersecurity

US has ‘a lot of work to do’ on cyber defenses, departing cyber czar says

Outgoing National Cyber Director Harry Coker thinks his office needs more influence over the federal cyber budget but not necessarily more authority on offensive cyber operations.

Cybersecurity

White House unveils Cyber Trust Mark program for consumer devices

The label is designed to help consumers make more cybersecure choices when they pick products off the shelf.

People

Biden to close federal agencies Jan. 9 for Carter day of mourning

The White House unveiled an executive order Monday giving federal employees Jan. 9 off in recognition of the death of the 39th president.

Cybersecurity

Agencies look to automation software to usher in next phase of post-quantum security

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is working with select agencies to implement post-quantum cryptography, and will turn to vendors to further secure federal data.

Digital Government

Republican lawmakers ask Trump to kill IRS Direct File

The new program intended to enable free, online tax filing directly with the government has garnered controversy and praise since its inception.

Breaking News Digital Government

Trump teams to deploy throughout government after reaching agreement with the Biden administration

The president-elect had previously refused to sign the agreement and is still sidestepping many of the steps typically required for presidential transitions.

Digital Government

Trump’s first White House debated the role of USDS. What will Trump 2.0 do?

The Office of Management and Budget led an effort to assess USDS — even whether it should exist — during the twilight days of the Trump administration. With another Trump White House incoming, the question of what’s next for the government’s digital SWAT team looms.

Cybersecurity

White House convened telecom leaders as details of Chinese espionage hack unfold

Many of the breached systems were not properly equipped with tools that recorded network activity, making it harder to quickly trace the origins of the hack, a person familiar said.

Policy

What Trump 2.0 means for tech and AI regulation

Tech CEO Elon Musk’s growing influence in the Trump transition was at the forefront of discussions.

People

‘Extraordinarily dangerous’: Intelligence community insiders warn against Trump’s DNI pick

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has a “history of irresponsibly promoting misinformation,” said one official.

Digital Government

How the federal CIO is prepping for the presidential transition

Cybersecurity, customer experience and effective transition efforts have been top-of-mind for Clare Matorana in the last days of the Biden administration.

People

Major federal IT contracts to remove ‘unnecessary’ degree requirements

The push to focus on skills-based hiring for federal jobs dates back to the first Trump administration. The Biden White House has continued these efforts.

Digital Government

Satisfaction with government hits record high just before a new Trump admin 

The incoming Trump administration casts an uncertain light on the customer experience gains made in recent years.

People

What Trump’s win means for the federal workforce

The Republican former president has vowed to remake the civil service in his image with the reinstatement of Schedule F.

Cybersecurity

Potential year-end cyber executive order may hinge on election results, people familiar say

The pending order will focus heavily on federal cyber standards and emerging tech threats, but remains in limbo amid the presidential election.