Policy
Trump Officially Directs Pentagon to Create Space Force, Within Air Force
If Congress approves, Space Force would exist like the Marine Corps within the Navy Department.
Modernization
GSA Highlights E-Commerce Portal Feedback
One of the General Services Administration’s top acquisition officials provided an update on more than 200 pages of feedback received from industry on e-commerce portal plans.
Cybersecurity
Federal Officials Want Public Input on Election Tech Requirements
The most recent Voluntary Voting System Guidelines include a call for paper ballots.
Digital Government
OPM Wants Agencies to Show Their Work on Management Agenda Tech and Data Goals
Annual human capital reviews are coming and agencies have to show progress meeting the administration’s workforce, tech and data priorities.
Policy
New York’s Ejection of Amazon Is the Start of a Movement
NYC lawmakers who led a resistance campaign against HQ2 are declaring victory. And already, they have plans to escalate their opposition to tax incentives.
Modernization
Here’s What Technology Modernization Fund Dollars Are Doing Now
Three projects have awarded contracts so far and two have already spent a combined $6 million to date.
Cybersecurity
DHS ‘Doubling Down’ on Election Security Heading Into 2020
Under Congress’ budget deal, the Homeland Security Department will receive $33 million to combat foreign influence campaigns and defend election security in fiscal 2019.
Emerging Tech
FAA Wants to Protect First Responders from Drone Bombs
Under a new ruling, law enforcement officers would be able to identify drones from afar.
Policy
Trump Administration Releases Rural Broadband Strategy
Officials estimate that 24 million people in the United States can't get broadband internet service. Eighty percent of those people live in rural areas.
Artificial Intelligence
There’s a Big Obstacle to the Pentagon’s New Strategy to Speed AI to Troops
Defense officials want to accelerate the delivery of artificial-intelligence tools from the lab to the field. But it's hard to obtain the massive data streams that make AI work.
Ideas
The Problem With a ‘Smart’ Border Wall
To resolve Trump’s impasse, many lawmakers have proposed boosting surveillance technology to create a virtual border wall. Is that more humane and effective?
Policy
GAO Urges Congress to Start Moving on a Privacy Law
Researchers recommended lawmakers give regulators more power to write rules and punish the companies that break them.
Policy
Defense Acquisition Guidance Overhaul Will Focus Squarely on Software
The Defense Department shouldn’t be buying software the same way it buys weapons, and the next version of its acquisition guidance should reflect that.
Digital Government
Should Libraries Be the Keepers of Their Cities’ Public Data?
Public libraries are one of the most trusted institutions, and they want to make sure everyone has access to the information cities are collecting and sharing.
Digital Government
FBI Should Tighten Monitoring of Employee Texting, Watchdog Says
Software recommendations come as follow-up to 2016 review of alleged political bias.
Digital Government
Trump Says He’s ‘Extremely Unhappy’ With Spending Agreement, Still Predicts No Shutdown
Congressional leadership appears on board with the deal, though Trump would not commit to signing it.
Artificial Intelligence
White House Unveils a National Artificial Intelligence Initiative
The executive order calls for agencies to focus on AI, but details and funds are sparse.
Artificial Intelligence
China’s Rapid AI Development Has Its Limits: Report
Chinese artificial-intelligence researchers are aware of ways their work lags the United States’—and Beijing is working to fix those.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Propose a Rotational Program for Federal Cyber Workers
They also introduced bills to bolster counterterrorism efforts, stop robocallers and keep ZTE in check.
Emerging Tech
Amazon Proposes Facial Recognition Guidelines to Policymakers
The company called for “open, honest and earnest dialogue” instead of a ban.
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