Modernization

House passes veterans’ package without EHR accountability measures

A spokesperson for the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee said measures related to the electronic health record system were removed from the legislation “due to a lack of political viability in both the House and Senate.”

Artificial Intelligence

Trust and security are top concerns in the public sector’s use of generative AI, survey says

A survey released by Amazon Web Services found that 83% of public sector respondents reported that their organizations are concerned about public trust in the new technology.

Modernization

Lawmaker looks to improve SBA’s IT modernization after critical GAO review

A proposal from Rep. Nydia Velázquez would require that the Small Business Administration “establish and implement policies and procedures to govern information technology modernization projects.”

Emerging Tech

MetTel becomes first authorized Starlink partner to offer satellite SD-WAN services

The news makes MetTel the first Starlink authorized reseller for both commercial and government organizations.

Cybersecurity

HHS has still not addressed key cyber recommendations, GAO says

The Government Accountability Office said its unaddressed cyber guidance can result “in potential adverse impact on healthcare providers and patient care.”

Defense

DOD issues private 5G deployment guide for military bases 

The Department of Defense said it anticipates most military installations will use commercial 5G solutions but that “under certain circumstances, commercial networks may not fulfill an installation's requirements.”

Digital Government

VA proposes funding telehealth access points at non-VA facilities

The VA is looking to expand access to virtual healthcare consults by funding the creation of such access points at non-VA facilities in rural or medically underserved areas.

Cybersecurity

Veterans’ military skills can help them fill cyber vacancies, State official says

The White House’s national cybersecurity strategy said that greater veteran participation in the U.S. cyber workforce can help enhance critical digital defenses.

Artificial Intelligence

House Dems join push to create AI-focused civil rights offices across government

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., would require that federal agencies “utilizing, funding or overseeing AI” establish civil rights offices to address algorithmic bias.

Artificial Intelligence

DHS highlights hiring and project milestones on anniversary of Biden’s AI order

The agency said it has hired 31 technologists for its AI Corps and completed three pilot projects that have provided “valuable insights into the real-life impact of GenAI tools as well as their limitations.”

Artificial Intelligence

VA announces creation of new AI testing ground with FDA

VA Undersecretary for Health Shereef Elnahal told Nextgov/FCW that the testing environment is “a check in the process” to ensure that AI tools comply with federal guidance on the use of emerging tech.

Artificial Intelligence

Inside the HHS reorganization to prioritize AI and emerging tech

Micky Tripathi wears many hats — assistant secretary for technology policy, national coordinator for health information technology and acting chief artificial intelligence officer — as the agency looks to expand its tech leadership.

Digital Government

TSA to allow mobile driver’s licenses after REAL ID goes into effect

The final rule will allow states that have issued mobile driver’s licenses to apply for TSA-issued waivers of certain REAL ID requirements.

Digital Government

Lawmakers want DOJ to create national human trafficking database

A new bipartisan House bill would incentivize law enforcement agencies to provide county-specific data on cases of human trafficking.

Artificial Intelligence

VA’s head of AI sees his role as a ‘bridge’ to future use

Meet the Department of Veterans Affairs CAIO Charles Worthington. He envisions a future where AI components are built into standard technology and software.

Emerging Tech

Salesforce launches new top secret cloud environment

The software company said it is the first provider to deliver a true commercial cloud that has received Top Secret accreditation with platform- and software-as-a-service capabilities for the intelligence community.

Artificial Intelligence

VA is updating its AI suicide risk model to reach more women

The department is looking to add military sexual trauma and intimate partner violence as risk factors for suicide in its predictive model for identifying veterans at high risk of self-harm.

Modernization

FCC adopts georouting rules for national suicide and crisis lifeline

The Federal Communication Commission's new rules will require U.S. wireless providers to automatically route calls and text messages to the 988 lifeline to local crisis centers based on the callers’ physical locations.

Artificial Intelligence

TSA's 'crawl, walk, run' approach to AI

Meet J. Matt Gilkeson, Chief Technology, Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer at the Transportation Security Administration

Modernization

HHS to crack down on providers blocking access to electronic medical records

The Department of Health and Human Services has received more than a thousand claims of blocked or stymied access to electronic health record information in recent years.