Digital Government
DOD, VA need more data on how their toxic exposure tracking app is used, watchdog says
A report from the Government Accountability Office found that oversight of the joint system for centralizing toxic exposure records has fallen off, despite a growing influx of PACT Act-related claims.
Acquisition
VA extends Oracle's EHR contract for 1 month
Lawmakers are pressing for more accountability in the multibillion dollar contract amid delays, system downtime and patient safety concerns.
Artificial Intelligence
NASA is working to onboard AI tools
The space agency is testing a generative AI capability that officials expect to go live this summer with approvals to use sensitive internal data.
Digital Government
Automation helped VA approve 1 million PACT Act claims, officials say
The agency is relying on automated decision support and other optimization efforts to help process claims for veterans exposed to burn pits and other chemicals.
Artificial Intelligence
VA is already using AI to identify and assist veterans in crisis, officials say
The use of AI capabilities to review the agency’s surveys to veterans has helped save a couple thousand lives and helped another couple thousand retired servicemembers receive housing, according to VA’s chief veterans experience officer.
Emerging Tech
TSA’s biometrics deployment will take 25 years, unless lawmakers end fee diversion, agency head tells Congress
The Transportation Security Administration chief told lawmakers that it will take until 2049 to deploy facial recognition technology at U.S. airports if significant revenue from the 9/11 security fee continues to be diverted away from the agency.
Modernization
Proposed deep cuts to VA’s tech budget rankle lawmakers
The Biden administration’s FY25 budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs proposes steep cuts to the agency’s IT services, including a 99% reduction in VA’s development initiatives from FY24.
Modernization
Lawmakers propose more scrutiny of VA's new EHR, reauthorize VET-TEC program
The bipartisan legislative package includes new oversight metrics for VA’s Oracle Cerner electronic health record system but would end the modernization effort if facilities using the software don’t show improvement.
Artificial Intelligence
VA’s AI model to prevent suicides is a 'game changer,' official says
The REACH-VET program identifies roughly 6,700 retired servicemembers per month, according to a top lawmaker.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers want EAC to develop guidance on AI’s risk to elections
A recently proposed House bill would require the Election Assistance Commission to create voluntary guidelines for election offices addressing the risks posed by artificial intelligence technologies.
Modernization
Senators call for VA to tighten performance standards in new health records contract
Three lawmakers on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee are calling for the department to “add accountability and oversight provisions” in a renegotiated one-year contract with Oracle Cerner.
Emerging Tech
Senate passes FAA reauthorization without TSA biometrics amendment
A group of bipartisan senators hoped to use the must-pass measure to pause rollouts of the Transportation Security Administration’s facial recognition technology at new airports.
Policy
Large-language models demand huge amounts of data. Lawmakers want to know what that means for user privacy
A bipartisan effort is underway in the House and Senate to pass national data privacy standards, but Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., and others are concerned that companies are pushing back on data minimization in the race to field AI applications.
Emerging Tech
Agencies are advancing AI pilots but face scalability challenges, report finds
General Dynamics Information Technology’s survey of federal decisionmakers found that AI initiatives moved from the pilot phase to production in an average of 14 months.
Artificial Intelligence
TSA is looking at using AI to improve security screening processes
Following the Department of Homeland Security's guidance, TSA is looking at ways that it can use generative AI technologies to support its officers.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers seek pause on TSA’s use of facial biometrics in FAA bill
A Senate amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill would pause additional rollout of the TSA’s facial recognition technology until Congress has reviewed the agency’s program.
Modernization
DISA’s new strategy focuses on simplifying, securing access to key systems
The Defense Information Systems Agency’s new five-year strategy prioritizes the “large-scale adoption of a common IT environment” across DOD.
Cybersecurity
Change Healthcare hasn't given VA details on hack-impacted veterans, top lawmaker says
Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., said the company has “impact attestations” on those affected but won’t provide them to VA.
Cybersecurity
NASA doesn't know if its spacecraft have adequate cyber defenses, GAO warns
The agency encourages its spacecraft programs to use an optional best practices guide when it comes to implementing cybersecurity requirements.
Modernization
NASA’s long-term missions could be hurt by budget caps, lawmakers warn
House Science Chairman Frank Lucas R-Okla., said Congress needs to provide NASA with “sufficient support” to carry out its work.
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