Artificial Intelligence
Priming the workforce is key to future AI efforts, federal IT leaders say
One agency tech leader is urging IT workers inside government and out to "get into the shallow end of the AI swimming pool" and experiment with the new tools.
Acquisition
Senate bill would limit federal contracts with foreign-linked biotech firms
The legislation from Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., comes after he objected to a more focused provision in the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act that sought to limit government contracts with one specific Chinese biotech company.
Artificial Intelligence
Senate Democrats seek to establish civil rights offices for AI
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., is sponsoring legislation that would require all federal agencies that use artificial intelligence to set up offices “focused on bias, discrimination and other harms resulting from covered algorithms.”
Emerging Tech
Research institutions must better secure sensitive data from foreign adversaries, experts say
To prevent foreign nations from gaining access to sensitive research data, U.S. institutions need to “have a higher sense of internal security” when it comes to protecting critical information.
Acquisition
The defense industrial base is 'in crisis,' expert tells Hill panel
The defense establishment is not equipped to develop, acquire and onboard emerging technologies at scale, according to a draft report from the Pentagon, and witnesses at a recent House hearing called for deeper, stronger ties between government and industry.
Cybersecurity
20 federal agencies miss deadline for implementing cyber incident tracking requirements, watchdog says
The Government Accountability Office found that just three federal agencies were in compliance with the Office of Management and Budget’s advanced cyber event logging requirements.
Emerging Tech
VA creates new monitoring system after glitch affects more than 120,000 veterans’ claims
Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs said they’re creating a new system to notify officials “within 24 hours” of any issues affecting electronically filed claims.
Artificial Intelligence
Human operators must be held accountable for AI’s use in conflicts, Air Force secretary says
The Pentagon needs “to find a way to hold people accountable” for what artificial intelligence technologies do in future conflicts, according to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
Defense
Lawmakers seek to bolster JADC2 initiative with ‘transformative’ objectives
The legislation would give specific Pentagon officials new responsibilities in the department’s development of an interoperable network across its disparate military domains, with particular focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
Emerging Tech
Senators move to ban TSA’s facial recognition screenings
The bipartisan proposal cited concerns about the government’s collection of biometric data.
Defense
Lawmakers raise concerns over Chinese-made LiDAR tech
Members of a House panel focused on China's growing global influence voiced concern over U.S. technology being used in adversaries’ LiDAR systems and the possibility that China-made LiDAR products are embedded in critical U.S. applications.
Artificial Intelligence
AI’s military use is limited by maturity concerns, CENTCOM official says
A U.S. Central Command official noted that “performance is still quite up and down” with AI, even as officials continue to experiment with the emerging technologies.
Cybersecurity
Navy’s first cyber strategy looks beyond cybersecurity to digital operations
The military branch must “fully account for new realities presented by cyberspace and the information environment,” the inaugural strategy asserts.
People
Longtime Silicon Valley representative announces retirement
During her more than 30 years in Congress, Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., has been a fierce advocate for net neutrality and a supporter of data privacy legislation that would protect consumers’ personal information.
Artificial Intelligence
AI can help predict nuclear threats, but also develop others faster, State report warns
A report from a State Department advisory board on AI’s impact on arms control, nonproliferation and verification warned that the tech “is likely to lower barriers to biological and chemical weapons development.”
Defense
DOD strategy warns emerging tech is ‘at the forefront’ of information threats
The Pentagon’s updated strategy for operations in the information environment calls for “a cultural shift” to protect national security interests.
Emerging Tech
China-owned autonomous vehicle firms are collecting data during US tests — and lawmakers are concerned
Members of two House panels raised concerns about Chinese firms testing self-driving cars in the U.S., citing the nation’s lack of a federal data privacy law and the companies’ ties with Beijing.
Artificial Intelligence
Pentagon releases responsible AI toolkit
Released by Defense Department’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, the toolkit is meant to help the department ethically incorporate emerging tech across its mission.
Defense
DOD launches platform to educate workforce on AI basics
The new program will provide DOD’s civilian and military personnel with access to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology service that consists of “bite-sized learning assets” on AI tools and other technologies.
Modernization
There’s a ‘big disconnect’ between users and developers of VA’s new EHR, lawmaker says
A 2023 survey of VA employees using the Oracle Cerner electronic health record system found that just 26% did not have issues with system availability.
Almost There!
Help us tailor content specifically for you: