Emerging Tech
Enhanced cybersecurity a top reason for agencies embracing emerging tech, study says
General Dynamics Information Technology’s survey of 425 federal employees found that 65% of federal agencies were “moderately to extremely ready to embrace emerging technologies.”
Modernization
Pentagon needs to do more to harness the electromagnetic spectrum, lawmakers say
A bipartisan group of lawmakers who co-chair the Congressional Electromagnetic Warfare Working Group said the Defense Department needs to take more of an active role in enhancing its spectrum use to achieve electromagnetic superiority.
Policy
Semiconductor industry group warns against new limits on chip exports to China
A spokesperson for the National Security Council told Nextgov/FCW that the Biden administration’s export controls “have been carefully tailored to focus on technology with national security implications.”
Modernization
Lawmakers demand specific timeframe for deploying digital GI Bill platform
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ inability to provide a clear schedule for large-scale deployments of its new education benefits delivery system drew bipartisan concern from members of a House panel.
Modernization
VA opposed to new EHR requirements but open to more major acquisition review
VA officials told lawmakers Wednesday that they oppose proposed oversight standards for the department’s new electronic health record modernization program.
Artificial Intelligence
DOD experimenting with generative AI, even as ‘potential downsides’ give officials pause
The deputy chief of the agency’s AI office said the department is working with industry to address concerns about the emerging tech.
Artificial Intelligence
Deputy at Pentagon’s data and AI office to depart for Palantir
Greg Little, the Pentagon’s inaugural deputy chief digital and artificial intelligence officer for enterprise platforms and business optimization, is leaving his position at the end of July.
Cybersecurity
NDAA amendment calls for DOD, DHS to assess cyber threats to border security
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, said his proposal “sets a plan to prevent cyber incidents by reducing the risk of future cyber vulnerabilities” in key border technologies.
Modernization
Pentagon’s reversal on new travel expense system “troubling,” key lawmaker says
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said the Pentagon’s decision to terminate a multi-million dollar contract to replace its Defense Travel System “raises broader questions about DOD’s ability to manage its finances and information technology.”
Modernization
VA secretary: Automation will help agency ‘make better, faster, more informed decisions’
VA Secretary Denis McDonough said the department is poised “to deliver a completely new, fully integrated experience” for veterans as officials expect a further increase in PACT Act claims.
Policy
Congress must use budget power to move tech firms out of Beijing’s orbit, former lawmaker says
Former congressman and Under Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy said lawmakers need to be focused “like a bulldog on a bone” when ensuring the U.S. is positioned to compete with China’s tech ambitions.
Policy
House, Senate China hawks concerned White House will let TikTok stay in the US
Key Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate warned that tweaked language in a new Commerce Department rule could lay the groundwork for TikTok’s proposal to store U.S. users’ data in the country.
Emerging Tech
Legislation would expand and extend government’s counterdrone authority
Bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate would extend DHS and DOJ’s authority to mitigate the threat posed by unmanned aircraft systems, while also providing state and local law enforcement with enhanced counter-detection capabilities.
Policy
Democrats call YouTube ‘extremely irresponsible’ for election misinformation rollback
YouTube’s decision to stop removing false content about previous U.S. elections “threatens to weaken our democracy,” several top Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee said in a letter to the platform’s leaders.
Cybersecurity
Congress needs ‘private sector buy-in’ to address cyber workforce shortage
Organizations are working to educate and train the next generation of professionals to fill critical cybersecurity vacancies, but private sector firms need to change their hiring practices to integrate this pool of talent into the workforce.
Modernization
VA official expects Oracle Cerner to deliver on $10B EHR contract despite layoffs
While lawmakers and officials expect work to continue as planned, an insider warned that layoffs at Oracle Cerner targeted a clinical team that worked to implement new electronic health record systems.
Artificial Intelligence
Schumer says 'don't count Congress out' when it comes to regulating AI
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said Congress needs “to invent a new process” to effectively balance the dangers of artificial intelligence with the capabilities of these emerging technologies.
Policy
All Veterans Affairs police officers to be issued bodycams, dashcams by end of 2023
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it will begin issuing in-car and body-worn cameras on June 20, starting with officers at the VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network in Long Beach, California.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers propose shoring up nuclear cyber standards ahead of NDAA markup
The bipartisan proposal, which could be added to the FY2024 defense policy bill, would establish a federal working group to help address gaps in the cyber practices securing the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.
Policy
Relaunched electric grid caucus plans to highlight security, tech improvements
The bipartisan Grid Innovation Caucus plans to hold educational seminars and a Grid Innovation Expo to highlight emerging technologies and ensure the resiliency of the U.S. power network.
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