Emerging Tech

FCC Chair: Spectrum authority and global policy are key priorities in the 5G era

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel discussed her agency’s concerns ahead of the World Radio Conference. 

Cybersecurity

IRS needs better documentation for its cyber threat hunts, watchdog says

A new report noted that a lack of “established policies and procedures” could prevent the tax agency from meeting federal requirements.

Artificial Intelligence

Biden: New AI agreement will 'shepherd' responsible innovation, but legislation still needed

President Joe Biden made remarks following the announcement of new private sector AI accords, but members of Congress from both parties agreed with the need to develop regulatory law.

Artificial Intelligence

7 tech companies agree to White House’s new trustworthy AI commitments

While the Biden administration is working to engage in voluntary commitments with Silicon Valley, a planned executive order will codify next steps in securing the emerging technology. 

Cybersecurity

Justice to merge 2 offices in step with cyber implementation plan

The agency has been granted new and important roles under the Biden administration’s plan to safeguard U.S. digital networks.

Cybersecurity

White House seeks public insight to harmonize ‘inconsistent’ cyber regulations

The Biden administration wants to use public feedback to shape baseline cybersecurity regulations that function across industries and sectors. 

Cybersecurity

White House announces new program to designate cyber-secure IoT devices

The Biden administration announced its Cyber Trust Mark labeling program to ensure commercial smart home devices have sufficient cybersecurity tech in place.

Emerging Tech

NIST adds 40 potential quantum-resistant algorithms to growing roster

The standards agency’s work to identify and standardize post-quantum cryptographic encryption methods was highlighted as crucial to U.S. cybersecurity implementation plans.

Artificial Intelligence

Establishing international tech standards is ‘the issue of our time,’ lawmaker says

Sen. Mark Warner encouraged U.S. leadership to learn from previous “complete disaster” moments in technology regulation. 

Artificial Intelligence

How NIST is helping to guide the government conversation on AI

Industry, technologists, policymakers and members of Congress are watching what the U.S. standards-setting agency is doing to understand the risks of AI.

Artificial Intelligence

Where agencies are turning to automation to augment human work

Tech policy leadership discussed ongoing federal use cases for automated systems, emphasizing responsible implementation and agency-specific training. 

Digital Government

EU approves US approach to safeguard transatlantic data flows

The European Commission released a decision approving the implementation of the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, requiring more strict protocols for the U.S. government.

Emerging Tech

Inside NIST’s effort to lay the groundwork for a functional quantum computer

The latest quantum computer-adjacent device is part of NIST’s broader plan to help agencies move forward as they develop more emerging technology infrastructure.

Emerging Tech

OPM identifies over 50 skill sets to look for in federal AI workers

The guidance fulfills a requirement from the AI in Government Act of 2020 that asks how best to deploy and utilize AI and ML technologies in government. 

Emerging Tech

US and Sweden to partner on emerging energy research

Strengthening basic research for critical scientific areas, including nuclear fusion, is the focus of a renewed partnership between the two countries.

Emerging Tech

Multiagency plan aims to boost biotechnology workforce

A new national strategy to grow the U.S.’s biotechnology sector focuses on workforce training and curriculum development. 

Artificial Intelligence

First AI advisory committee report stresses getting regulatory balance right

Designing trustworthy AI systems with government regulatory help is a central theme in the NAIAC’s first report delivered to President Joe Biden.

Cybersecurity

US ‘can’t PSA our way out’ of cyber vulnerability, CISA director says

Speaking during a Cybersecurity Advisory Committee meeting, CISA Director Jen Easterly noted that corporate responsibility for cyber must stand “as a matter of good governance.”

Policy

CFPB looks to existing law to regulate workplace surveillance tech

After a high volume of complaints, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offered a response as to how the government can limit the use of sensitive employee information in hiring practices.

Emerging Tech

Microsoft looks to speed up materials science research with quantum-compatible system

The quantum computer-ready system is intended to help scientists identify viable molecules in a short amount of time.