Author Archive

Alexandra Kelley

Staff Correspondent, Nextgov/FCW

Alexandra Kelley
Alexandra Kelley reports on emerging technology for Nextgov/FCW. Her most recent post was covering breaking news for The Hill where she focused on a variety of quantitative subjects, including Big Tech and the economy, in addition to covering the coronavirus pandemic since late 2019. She graduated from Kenyon College in 2017. If you have a tip you'd like to share, Alexandra can be securely contacted at alexak17.64 on Signal.
Artificial Intelligence

GenAI.mil records almost 1.7M users, plans new model additions

“It's just a really exciting time for generative AI in the department,” the Pentagon’s chief artificial intelligence officer said.

Acquisition

AWS includes government in BVR Competency program

The Business Value Realization Competency focuses on optimizing AWS partner spending, giving agencies proof of impact for AWS products and services.

Artificial Intelligence

US to lift export controls on key Anthropic models

Anthropic’s cybersecurity-focused Mythos 5 and Fable 5 are expected to be reactivated for respective users following permission from the Commerce Department.

Emerging Tech

Energy expects Genesis Mission will double R&D productivity in coming decade

Department of Energy forecasts major scientific productivity and impact gains with the Genesis Mission, while also aiming to redefine artificial intelligence’s purpose.

People

Lawmaker warns of administration’s ‘fetishization’ of Silicon Valley startups

Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., discussed his plans to scrutinize Trump-era contracting practices, revive federal IT oversight and push for AI policy.

Policy

Tech bills of the week: Labeling AI-generated content; AI standards for private sector companies; and more

This week’s proposals include a measure to create a reporting process for dangerous AI systems and legislation to collect data on AI’s impact on the U.S. workforce.

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI releases new GPT-5.6 model to select partners

The approach is similar to Anthropic’s Project Glasswing and follows a Trump administration request that the company limit access.

Emerging Tech

OMB issues instructions for agency migration to quantum-proof encryption

Agencies are expected to undertake two actions in service of enhanced security: execute a phased migration of cryptographic systems to prepare for quantum computing risk; and submit a PQC migration plan to OMB.

People

Sean Gallagher selected as NASA CIO

Having served as acting chief information officer since January, Gallagher’s permanent appointment is “effective immediately,” the agency said.

Emerging Tech

Senator plans to propose quantum initiative reauthorization as part of NDAA

Both the House and Senate are currently considering versions of the bill that would reauthorize and expand upon efforts to invest in U.S. quantum development.

Emerging Tech

Energy unveils plan to create scientifically-relevant quantum computer

The Energy Department aims to bring a fault-tolerant quantum computer to life via the new Quantum Genesis mission, with a focus on benefitting scientific research.

Emerging Tech

Trump signs 2 orders to prepare the US for a quantum future

The long-awaited executive actions aim to protect current infrastructure from a fault-tolerant quantum computer while accelerating U.S. scientific research with quantum technology capabilities.

Exclusive Emerging Tech

White House expected to direct intelligence agencies to protect quantum research from foreign threats

The executive order is expected this week and tasks the departments of Defense and Energy to build and host a quantum computer for scientific discovery.

Policy

Tech bills of the week: Managing biological data; Evaluating quantum computing’s impact on national security; and more

The latest tech legislation looks to create a database that can aid biotechnology development, understand how quantum computing could affect national security and give the U.S. public a share in the biggest AI companies.

Artificial Intelligence

HHS issues call for AI to support its ‘power users’

The Department of Health and Human Services is ready to test what advanced artificial intelligence capabilities can best serve its staff that rely on more specialized AI features. 

Defense

OpenAI’s ChatGPT to debut on GenAI.mil in ‘early July’

The company is working closely with the Pentagon’s Chief Digital Artificial Intelligence Office to deliver more model access via GenAI.mil.

Emerging Tech

Lynx supercomputing cluster enters production at Lawrence Livermore

The lab welcomed the operational launch of its Lynx supercomputing cluster that will handle modeling and simulation efforts for the country’s nuclear stockpile.

Artificial Intelligence

Industry and academia call on administration to free Anthropic’s AI model

Over 30 industry and academic professionals signed a letter to the Trump administration asking it to lift export controls, citing international competition and patches to network vulnerabilities.

Policy

Tech bills of the week: Standardizing DHS communications; Nuclear power for space exploration; and more

New legislation also looks to create guardrails on the Pentagon’s use of AI, understand how the emerging capabilities are affecting the U.S. job market and determine the environmental impact of data centers.

Exclusive Artificial Intelligence

White House discussions are weighing giving CISA Mythos access

Officials have considered having the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leverage the advanced AI model that was designed to detect previously undiscovered cyber vulnerabilities to scan federal agencies’ networks.