Digital Government
VA proposes funding telehealth access points at non-VA facilities
The VA is looking to expand access to virtual healthcare consults by funding the creation of such access points at non-VA facilities in rural or medically underserved areas.
Cybersecurity
Veterans’ military skills can help them fill cyber vacancies, State official says
The White House’s national cybersecurity strategy said that greater veteran participation in the U.S. cyber workforce can help enhance critical digital defenses.
Artificial Intelligence
House Dems join push to create AI-focused civil rights offices across government
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., would require that federal agencies “utilizing, funding or overseeing AI” establish civil rights offices to address algorithmic bias.
Artificial Intelligence
DHS highlights hiring and project milestones on anniversary of Biden’s AI order
The agency said it has hired 31 technologists for its AI Corps and completed three pilot projects that have provided “valuable insights into the real-life impact of GenAI tools as well as their limitations.”
Artificial Intelligence
VA announces creation of new AI testing ground with FDA
VA Undersecretary for Health Shereef Elnahal told Nextgov/FCW that the testing environment is “a check in the process” to ensure that AI tools comply with federal guidance on the use of emerging tech.
Artificial Intelligence
Inside the HHS reorganization to prioritize AI and emerging tech
Micky Tripathi wears many hats — assistant secretary for technology policy, national coordinator for health information technology and acting chief artificial intelligence officer — as the agency looks to expand its tech leadership.
Digital Government
TSA to allow mobile driver’s licenses after REAL ID goes into effect
The final rule will allow states that have issued mobile driver’s licenses to apply for TSA-issued waivers of certain REAL ID requirements.
Digital Government
Lawmakers want DOJ to create national human trafficking database
A new bipartisan House bill would incentivize law enforcement agencies to provide county-specific data on cases of human trafficking.
Artificial Intelligence
VA’s head of AI sees his role as a ‘bridge’ to future use
Meet the Department of Veterans Affairs CAIO Charles Worthington. He envisions a future where AI components are built into standard technology and software.
Emerging Tech
Salesforce launches new top secret cloud environment
The software company said it is the first provider to deliver a true commercial cloud that has received Top Secret accreditation with platform- and software-as-a-service capabilities for the intelligence community.
Artificial Intelligence
VA is updating its AI suicide risk model to reach more women
The department is looking to add military sexual trauma and intimate partner violence as risk factors for suicide in its predictive model for identifying veterans at high risk of self-harm.
Modernization
FCC adopts georouting rules for national suicide and crisis lifeline
The Federal Communication Commission's new rules will require U.S. wireless providers to automatically route calls and text messages to the 988 lifeline to local crisis centers based on the callers’ physical locations.
Artificial Intelligence
TSA's 'crawl, walk, run' approach to AI
Meet J. Matt Gilkeson, Chief Technology, Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer at the Transportation Security Administration
Modernization
HHS to crack down on providers blocking access to electronic medical records
The Department of Health and Human Services has received more than a thousand claims of blocked or stymied access to electronic health record information in recent years.
Modernization
Inside VA’s drive to offer rideshare services to vets
Since its launch in January 2022, the Veterans Health Administration’s rideshare program for veterans in need of medical-related transportation has provided more than 438,000 rides.
Digital Government
Agencies have struggled to meet IDEA Act requirements, watchdog finds
The Government Accountability Office found that only 70% of the 24 agencies covered by the IDEA Act submitted annual reports between December 2019 and December 2023.
Digital Government
Lawmakers want government to promote use of digital IDs
Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., told Nextgov/FCW that he’s hoping to get his Improving Digital Identity Act included in the House AI Task Force’s list of recommended policy proposals.
Digital Government
Commerce launches initial phase of its space traffic coordination system
The new system will provide conjunction data messages “for approximately 1,000 space objects six times a day” during phase 1.0.
Modernization
VA officials say they can finish the digital GI Bill platform without more delays, cost overruns
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., said the Department of Veterans Affairs is “batting zero” when it comes to finishing major IT modernization projects on time and within budget.
Digital Government