Acquisition
GSA unveils new unified procurement strategy
The General Services Administration aims to streamline the federal buyer-seller relationship with the launch of the new initiative.
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.
Emerging Tech
Senators privately advocated to save DHS Centers of Excellence
Lawmakers representing Alaska and Nebraska held private conversations with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to pause funding terminations for their states’ Centers of Excellence.
People
NSF director resigns
Sethuraman Panchanathan confirmed his resignation to NSF employees and the public in two separate statements.
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.
Digital Government
Transportation consolidates IT personnel and decision-making
Two memos document a new organizational structure that establishes the CIO as the point person for all IT activity across the agency’s various subcomponents.
Policy
NSF cancels over 400 grants covering disinformation, deepfakes and STEM education
Some $328 million worth of research grants to institutions was canned amid a broader restructuring of the National Science Foundation. Disinformation research and empowerment of underprivileged people in STEM fields were prime targets.
Policy
NSF begins terminating select grant funding
Research projects that are deemed to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion or that aim to combat mis- and disinformation will no longer receive funding from the National Science Foundation.
Artificial Intelligence
House Dems demand DOGE ‘immediately terminate’ unauthorized AI use
Nearly 50 House lawmakers signed a letter to OMB asking for greater transparency into how the Trump administration has leveraged artificial intelligence systems.
Acquisition
Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI authorized for IL6 Defense operations
Microsoft’s artificial intelligence offerings are now available at the highest impact level classification for the Department of Defense.
Emerging Tech
NVIDIA announces plans for fully US-manufactured AI supercomputers
The computer manufacturing company announced a new industry-wide effort to spearhead domestic semiconductor production, as the administration hails it as part of the broader “Trump effect” on industry.
Emerging Tech
Blackburn introduces 3 bills focused on quantum tech investment
All of the legislation has bipartisan backing and intends to “promote continued innovation” in the field.
People
Census CIO to depart at the end of April
Luis Cano, who has been with the U.S. Census Bureau since 2017, announced that he would retire from federal service on April 30.
Emerging Tech
DARPA begins scaling a quantum computer with 15 companies
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency selected the inaugural cohort for its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative as federal researchers work to identify the best path for quantum computing.
Digital Government
DHS cancels S&T grants under a new mission focus for the directorate
The Department of Homeland Security’s national security research subdivision, the Science and Technology Directorate, will stop current grants and refocus its mission priorities.
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
CISA to make comprehensive staff cuts in coming days, people familiar say
The nation’s premier cybersecurity agency, which sits in the Department of Homeland Security, has been in the Trump administration’s crosshairs for some time.
Artificial Intelligence
Energy selects 16 sites for AI data center construction, new energy development
The Department of Energy identified 16 locations on its own land to build the new infrastructure.
Artificial Intelligence
Obernolte calls on fellow lawmakers to tackle sector-specific AI regulation
The chair of the House AI Task Force in the last Congress said federal regulations need to unite the country’s AI policy as states advance different policies.
Artificial Intelligence