Artificial Intelligence

States Try to Stop Political Deepfake Videos

State lawmakers are increasingly focused on deceptively edited videos, a pervasive technology that advocates say has the potential to disrupt elections. But are bans constitutional?

Digital Government

Inspector General Vacancies Continue to Jeopardize Oversight and Investigations

Thirteen of 74 positions lack a permanent IG and some of the openings date back to Obama era, according to a watchdog.

Cybersecurity

McConnell Voices Support for $250 Million in Election Security Funds

The bill marks “a great step forward,” but states will need more consistent investment to make long-term improvements, according to CISA Director Chris Krebs.

Digital Government

Lawmakers Intro Bill to Enhance Not-Yet-Revived Office of Technical Assessment

A group of House and Senate lawmakers want the office to be more responsive and transparent, assuming funding to reinstate it gets through the appropriations process.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Urge New National Security Adviser to Restore White House Cyber Coordinator 

John Bolton’s decision to eliminate the role in May 2018 “showed a lack of seriousness in tackling the immediate national security threats facing our country,” said Sen. Mark Warner.

Cybersecurity

Justice Department Charges Edward Snowden With Violating Non-Disclosure Agreements

Prosecutors are seeking to prevent the former NSA contractor from profiting from his unauthorized release of classified information.

Digital Government

Senate Appropriators Join House in Blocking OPM-GSA Merger

Senators go with Trump's latest proposal for a 2.6% civilian pay raise for 2020 but no locality increase, while the House has approved an average 3.1% raise.

Podcasts

Critical Update: The Defender’s Dilemma 

Soon the Homeland Security Department will be able to compete for cyber talent without the shackles of the federal government’s rigid paytable.

Artificial Intelligence

Guidance on Federal AI Regulations Coming Shortly, Federal CTO Says

Current and former government tech leaders also stressed the need for high-level standards to ensure the global AI industry grows in line with democratic values

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Call on FCC to Reexamine Licenses for Two Chinese Telecom Firms

Sens. Chuck Schumer and Tom Cotton fear the state-owned companies present national security threats.

Digital Government

Agriculture Wants Store-Level Data on All of America’s Grocery Retailers

The agency plans to use the data to make sure everyone in the country has affordable access to healthy food.

Digital Government

Trump’s Top Acquisition Official Outlines Priorities

Michael Wooten, the new administrator for the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, wants contracting professionals to meet 21st-century tech challenges head-on.

Digital Government

HHS’s Suspension of Acquisition Services Leaves Outside Agencies and Contractors in Limbo

It’s been three months since the department announced it was closing down its shared services operations, and many questions remain unanswered.

Digital Government

Rep. Will Hurd Highlights Plans For Final 14 Months in Congress

The Texas congressman laid out his priorities with humor and passion at a summit in Washington this week.

Policy

Lawmaker Threatens to Give the Next Attack Plane to the Army

Tired of USAF slow-rolling, Rep. Michael Waltz has already spearheaded legislation allowing SOCOM to seek light attack aircraft.

Artificial Intelligence

GAO Launches New Unit to Prepare Congress for the Future

The Center for Strategic Foresight held its first conference, focused on two problems closer to the present than the future: deep space and deepfakes.

Modernization

Pentagon’s DEOS Contract Protested

The Government Accountability Office will make a decision on the protest by Dec. 18

Cybersecurity

Homeland Security Stands Up Transatlantic Aviation Roundtable

The new committee will address critical security issues that trouble the open skies.