Emerging Tech
Talented NIST scientists predict the far future of science and technology
NIST asked several of their postdoctoral researchers what they think the future will hold.
Artificial Intelligence
CIA looks to fast track AI adoption through cloud contract
A CIA official said the agency is working with the five recipients of its Commercial Cloud Enterprise contract to “get commercial [large language models] up into our high-side environments.”
Defense
Special operators hope AI can reduce civilian deaths in combat
Automation could eventually turn “trigger-pullers into the experts that can do this,” one official said.
Digital Government
Energy Department wants to use AI to speed up permitting
The hope is that helping feds dive into historical environmental documents creates efficiencies and better outcomes.
Defense
Two programs suggest the Pentagon is getting better at buying technology
The Maven and Collaborative Combat Aircraft efforts display real steps forward, a pair of reports say.
Cybersecurity
DARPA edges closer to using AI to expose cyber vulnerabilities
Next year, seven teams will compete to polish off a best-case model that meshes AI and cybersecurity to detect and fix open-source vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
Digital Government
United Nations approves controversial cybercrime treaty
Last week, the United Nations voted to adopt a new cybercrime convention applying to all member states, drawing ire from civil society groups over data privacy risks.
Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft AI offerings now authorized at FedRAMP High
OpenAI’s GPT-4 will be available to agencies requiring FedRAMP High Authorization designations.
People
CISA names Lisa Einstein as first chief AI officer
The new position is part of the agency’s larger strategy to incorporate responsible artificial intelligence solutions both internally and externally to critical infrastructure partners.
Policy
White House announces almost $100M in commitments to expand pool of tech talent
Arati Prabhakar, the director of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, said the government’s adoption of emerging capabilities “hinges on getting terrific people to come do this work.”
Defense
DARPA wants to use AI to find new rare minerals
With spectral analysis, it’s possible to “tell the difference [between] cocaine that came from one cartel’s area of Colombia versus another.”
Ideas
How to maximize AI's potential for government
COMMENTARY | Invest, innovate and evolve to meet this critical moment to harness the productive potential of artificial intelligence.
Digital Government
Lawmakers want VA to report on its use of automation to process benefits claims
The legislative proposal seeks to enhance VA’s adoption of new technologies, including providing lawmakers with “a timeline for modifying and implementing the use of such automation tools” in the benefits claims process.
Defense
How DOD plans to make working with emerging tech companies easier
Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer Radha Plumb said the Pentagon is trying “to be less hard to work with” when it comes to engaging with the commercial sector.
Defense
Army plans multiple AI industry partnerships
Leadership from the military branch is interested in incorporating third party-generated algorithms for its operations, and is asking industry players for help.
Defense
How AI is turning satellite imagery into a window on the future
What can a picture from space tell you? “You're likely to have a drought here that might lead to civil unrest.”
People
DHS hires initial cohort of 10 to join its AI Corps
The Department of Homeland Security’s AI Corps is designed to deploy tech-savvy experts across its operations to drive the adoption of AI capabilities within its various mission areas.
Cybersecurity
DHS highlights AI as a threat and asset to critical infrastructure in new priority guidance
The agency’s 2024-2025 Strategic Guidance and National Priorities for Critical Infrastructure highlights continued need to monitor AI’s interplay with cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity
CISA conducts AI-driven cyber tabletop exercise with government and industry
The Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative participated in a hypothetical AI-powered cyberattack drill to update information sharing protocols tailored to disruptions to automated systems.
Defense