25 years after 9/11, spy agencies face old lessons and new threats
25 years after 9/11, spy agencies face old lessons and new threats
Policy
Tech bills of the week: Community protection from data centers; AI labs for education; and more
Recent proposals look to address data center concerns and establish grant programs to bolster students and educators’ AI and data science skills.
Defense
‘Digital employees’ are coming to the Defense Logistics Agency
Nearly 200 agentic-AI bots are already running autonomously as the combat support agency pushes ahead with AI-powered tools, CIO says.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers clash on safety testing language for in-development AI legislation, people familiar say
High-ranking members of the Senate Commerce Committee stand at odds with each other over how to best address “catastrophic risk” posed by artificial intelligence.
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Cybersecurity
CIA feared terrorists could exploit Y2K glitches, declassified briefs show
Records released for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 also describe intelligence assessments of extremist websites helping recruit fighters and spread chemical and biological weapons information.
Ideas
On 9/11’s 25th anniversary, modernizing government starts with remembering our past
COMMENTARY: Reflecting on 9/11 Commission-driven information sharing structural reforms
Artificial Intelligence
NIH seeks to engage patients as it scales use of AI with Bio Genesis Mission
The agency is in the early stages of determining how exactly it will collaborate with other agencies on the Bio Genesis Mission it announced in July.
Artificial Intelligence
Hawley launches committee investigation into OpenAI’s breach of Hugging Face
Following reports of two autonomous attacks conducted by OpenAI’s agents, Sen. Josh Hawley sent a letter to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for answers.
Acquisition
GSA unveils new, token-based OneGov discount with OpenAI
OpenAI’s move from offering a flat fee to a usage-based approach comes as agreements with other AI companies like Anthropic and Gemini are set to expire at the end of the month.
Cybersecurity
White House plans to take water cyber pilot into other sectors
Sean Cairncross also outlined plans for a cyber academy that would combine venture capital and other private sector initiatives with a service component.
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Defense
‘We have to throw technology at the cyber problem,’ Pentagon CIO says
Defense Department Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies said the Pentagon has to focus on “leveraging the fantastically skilled people that we have in a much more effective way.”
People
Trump is staffing up agencies with political appointees. They’re not sticking around, new analysis finds
The Partnership for Public Service previously reported on high turnover among Senate-confirmed political appointees during the president’s second term. In a new report, researchers from the nonprofit find a similar trend with non-Senate-confirmed ones.
Artificial Intelligence
AI safety advocacy group launches new state-level effort
Americans for Responsible Innovation debuted the advocacy arm to bring responsible AI policy assistance to local lawmakers.
Acquisition
CMMC's Phase 2 suspension locked in with binding regulation
A new class deviation moves the pause on third-party assessments for this security standard from policy to an enforceable rule.
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People
CISA has roughly 250 prospective hires awaiting clearance, agency chief says
Acting Director Nick Andersen says the agency is prioritizing operational teams and regional staff as it works to rebuild its workforce after reductions last year.
Artificial Intelligence
Democrats mull creating a select AI committee if they win the House
Reps. Bill Foster, D-Ill., and Ted Lieu, D-Calif., are advocating for the new select committee as a way to solely focus on artificial intelligence legislative issues.
Acquisition
GSA and CMS continue Medicaid tech vendor collaboration, but its impact is likely limited, experts say
The partnership is part of the broader CMS effort to help states comply with Medicaid work requirements enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers ask Commerce to sanction Indian firms involved in mercenary hacking
The “hack-for-hire” entities have systematically targeted newsrooms covering corporate fraud, legal teams in high-stakes litigation and NGOs.
Digital Government
Trump signs veterans benefits order calling for improved data sharing
The order instructs the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense to conduct a broad review of information technology-related contracts to ensure greater interoperability.
Cybersecurity
New FBI cyber strategy seeks faster action against hackers, larger industry role
The bureau wants more frequent disruption operations and quicker warnings to victims as the Justice Department works through rules for expanded private sector participation in hacking cybercrime groups.
