Artificial Intelligence
Bipartisan House bill seeks to equip small businesses with AI
The AI for Mainstreet Act calls on the Small Business Administration to support small U.S. enterprises in adopting artificial intelligence systems.
Cybersecurity
China accuses NSA of multi-year hack targeting its national time systems
“NSA does not confirm nor deny allegations in the media regarding its operations,” an NSA official told Nextgov/FCW.
Defense
The Netherlands joins US Air Force’s robot wingman program
The U.S. ally also agreed to develop small drones for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance with General Atomics.
People
Trump admin vows to follow court order on layoffs, but some cuts may still be imminent
The Interior Department revealed new details on its planned reductions.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI researchers see current chatbot use supporting — not replacing — workers
A study co-authored by OpenAI found ChatGPT to primarily be used in decision-making capacities, minimizing its potential as a worker replacement.
Digital Government
Judiciary Democrats launch watchdog website amid withheld funding from inspector general group
The lawmakers are maintaining hotline information for over 20 OIGs, as watchdogs scramble to set up temporary websites after the White House withheld funding from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
Ideas
Web4 and the public sector: How agentic technology can transform government services
COMMENTARY | Citizens deserve government services that work as intuitively as their favorite consumer applications. Web4 provides the architectural foundation to make that vision reality.
Cybersecurity
FCC initiates process to ban Hong Kong Telecom in US
The agency has previously barred China-linked communications providers from operating on American soil.
Breaking News
People
Judge blocks shutdown layoffs after finding Trump's actions are likely illegal
The Trump administration is leveraging the shutdown to declare "the laws don't apply to them anymore," judge says, adding, "they can't do that."
Cybersecurity
CISA orders government to patch F5 products after ‘nation-state’ cyber intrusion
“This cyber threat actor presents an imminent threat to federal networks using F5 devices and software,” CISA’s directive says. China-linked hackers previously exploited F5 vulnerabilities.
Emerging Tech
Video games and virtual reality are combining to make government jobs safer
The combination of the two technologies is enabling agencies to give employees hands-on training in the safest environments possible.
Cybersecurity
Top cyber lawmaker wants answers on CISA workforce reductions
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., penned a strongly-worded letter to CISA’s acting director asking for an update on the status of the cyberdefense agency’s staffing posture.
Cybersecurity
Inside America’s next information war
Washington is paring back its defenses against influence operations, even as adversaries supercharge them with AI. Much of the fight is shifting to the private sector.
Emerging Tech
Energy announces roadmap for fusion science and technology
Energy Secretary Chris Wright discussed the plan to rapidly scale the U.S. fusion energy generation, highlighting the important role that the nation’s network of national labs will play in the effort.
Ideas
Bridging the gap: Unlock the power of AI for government agencies through cross-domain solutions
COMMENTARY | Cross-domain solutions can help agencies better deploy AI tools across their operations.
Cybersecurity
Multiple CISA divisions targeted in shutdown layoffs, people familiar say
CISA units including its Stakeholder Engagement division are believed to have been hit. A DHS spokesperson said that the RIFs are meant to help get CISA “back on mission.”
Breaking News
People
‘Substantial’ layoffs begin at federal agencies, White House says
The Trump administration is following through on its threat to leverage the shutdown to implement federal workforce reductions.
Artificial Intelligence
AI export control bill passes Senate as NDAA amendment
The GAIN AI Act, which forces chip manufacturers to prioritize U.S.-based customers, made its way into the Senate’s final National Defense Authorization Act text.
Ideas
When AI agents go rogue, the federal government needs reversible resilience
COMMENTARY | Agentic AI can help optimize government operations, but federal agencies need to prioritize resilience as they onboard these capabilities.
Exclusive
Digital Government