Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers signal support for using AI to prevent veteran suicides in FY26 VA funding bill reports
“There is a significant need to improve early suicide indicators and detection using artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies that improve operational efficiency and effectiveness throughout veteran service delivery,” according to a House Appropriations panel report.
Ideas
The overlooked risk in government health IT modernization: protecting the legal medical record
COMMENTARY | Modernization, interoperability and AI will shape the future of government healthcare IT. But ambition must be matched with responsibility.
Modernization
How government leaders can balance the pros and cons of data center development
Policy and partnerships with tech companies can give state and local leaders a lever to ensure data centers are developed responsibly and sustainable, experts said during a recent webinar.
Modernization
One-stop shopping for counter-drone gear is aim of joint task force
The Army-led effort is also working on policy for buying and deploying C-UAS systems stateside.
Modernization
Government spending package includes money for House modernization efforts
Funding earmarked for the House of Representatives’ Modernization Initiatives Account can be used to accelerate the development of innovative constituent-focused tools.
Emerging Tech
Learning to fly: how Reentry simulates NASA’s most daring missions
A digital and fun way to walk in the footsteps of early NASA heroes.
Cybersecurity
Dem lawmakers renew calls for release of delayed telecom security report
In a letter to DHS and ODNI, Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Mark Warner of Virginia said the release of a 2022 report detailing cyber vulnerabilities in the U.S. telecommunications sector is “critically important to U.S. national security.”
Digital Government
DHS expanding citizenship system for voter verification, despite concerns about potential disenfranchisement
Twenty-six states are in line to use a revamped DHS system to check their voter rolls for non-citizens, although the network has raised concerns about privacy and accuracy — including if it could kick eligible voters off the rolls.
People
Trump admin says feds should get at least most backpay by Nov. 19
GSA and OPM workers will be the first to see the first month’s work of pay—belayed by the 43-day government shutdown—with what the White House is calling a “super check” that should be delivered on Saturday.
Artificial Intelligence
Dem senators take umbrage with new China tech trade
A letter sent to President Trump asks for the reinstatement of export controls on China, focusing on sensitive chip technologies.
Cybersecurity
Government funding deal reups cyber grant program
Lawmakers reauthorized the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program as part of the deal to reopen the federal government, but funding remains an open question.
Breaking News
Digital Government
Government to reopen after House votes to end longest-ever shutdown
Many furloughed workers, who will receive backpay, were already told Wednesday to report to work the following day for the first time in nearly six weeks.
Ideas
The government AI experiment Is working. Now scale it up.
COMMENTARY | It's time to move beyond pilot programs to the systems that will serve all Americans better.
People
Govini founder arrested on child solicitation charges
The arrest of Eric Gillespie comes a month after the company secured a Bain Capital investment to expand its artificial intelligence tools to a wider landscape.
Digital Government
Nearly 20 Democratic states inadvertently share driver data with ICE, lawmakers say
Nlets, a nonprofit law enforcement info-sharing network, can share state residents’ information with immigration agencies, federal lawmakers said Wednesday.
Ideas
Building quantum-safe foundations for federal data resilience
COMMENTARY | A data-first approach can help agencies avoid turning post-quantum cryptography adoption into a multi-year overhaul.
Emerging Tech
IBM unveils updated quantum computing products
IBM moves closer to fault-tolerant quantum advantage with the launch of new hardware and software for scalable quantum processing.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI offers US veterans free year of its ChatGPT Plus service
Veterans and transitioning servicemembers can register for the plan if they are within 12 months of their retirement or separation from active duty.
Cybersecurity
CMMC enforcement begins after eight years of warnings
"There is no excuse for industry to not be ready," observers say as enforcement begins.
Cybersecurity