Exclusive Emerging Tech

Mace sponsors bill to push CBP to use blockchain at the border

Customs and Border Protection has already been doing research into how the tech could be used for its mission.

Emerging Tech

White House launches digital twins funding opportunity

The Biden administration is investing over $280 million into digital twin technologies to innovate in semiconductor manufacturing and research.

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.

Emerging Tech

NSF pitches Congress on the potential of quantum technology

The National Science Foundation made a case for robust congressional funding in emerging tech research following budget cuts to the agency this year.

Emerging Tech

Bipartisan bill seeks to grow NASA program using drones to fight wildfires

New legislation attempts to improve NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response to Operations program so firefighters can more effectively use drones.

Emerging Tech

Decoding distinctions in biometrics

Though some developers describe facial recognition and analysis as “completely different technologies,” privacy advocates argue they remain the same in the kinds of dangers they pose.

Emerging Tech

Los Alamos National Lab unveils new supercomputer primed for AI

NVIDIA, Hewlett Packard, and the Department of Energy jointly bought a new supercomputer to the New Mexico lab outfitted for processing large volumes of data.

Emerging Tech

EEOC says HR software company Workday should face bias claims in lawsuit

The federal agency filed an amicus brief in a case in which a job applicant is alleging algorithmic discrimination.

Emerging Tech

How TSA’s opt-outs for biometric screenings informed White House AI policy

The Office of Management and Budget’s recent guidance on the government’s responsible use of AI elevates TSA's practice of allowing travelers to decline biometric scans at airport security to national policy.

Emerging Tech

New bill would greatly expand Defense Department quantum efforts

Proposed legislation would establish a quantum advisor and a new center of excellence.

Emerging Tech

FTC names winners in AI voice authentication challenge

Winners came from the private sector and academia as the agency continues its crackdown on AI-generated voice cloning.

Emerging Tech

DOD is looking to grow its marketplace for speedy acquisitions of innovative tech

The Pentagon is working to build its Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace “out of the proof of concept phase” to help more DOD entities quickly acquire innovative industry products.

Emerging Tech

FTC rejects software companies’ bid to use facial recognition to verify user age

The Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously against approving a software verification tool that would use biometrics to meet requirements under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule.

Emerging Tech

Deepfakes will be a ‘big problem’ for the 2024 election, officials say

Leaders from the Federal Election Commission and the National Intelligence Council noted that bad actors’ capabilities are increasing, while the government’s policing capabilities remain limited.

Emerging Tech

Clinton warns of hackers’ ‘leap in technology’ impacting the 2024 election

Rapid AI-backed advancements have let bad actors craft more sophisticated deepfakes and other sham content that could sway election results, she said.

Emerging Tech

Space operations likely to be shaped by sustainable emerging tech, report says

Innovative capabilities that promote reusability, safety and longevity are likely to dictate the future of space exploration, according to a recent white paper from Forecast International.

Emerging Tech

Lawmaker seeks to give NASA funding flexibility on interagency research efforts

Legislation from Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., would allow agencies to transfer funding to NASA to jointly partner on scientific or engineering projects.

Emerging Tech

NSF Report shows US-China AI rivalry sharpening

The National Science Foundation’s State of U.S. Science and Engineering documents Chinese leadership in AI patents, and U.S. leadership says workforce is the solution.

Emerging Tech

House Science chairman looks to pass quantum bill

Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., highlighted the importance of National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act passage and steady funding for federal research agencies.