Artificial Intelligence

NSF Kicks Off Final Phase of Workforce Reskilling App Competition

The Career Compass Challenge aims to build an app that matches feds to the tech jobs based on their current skills and interests.

Emerging Tech

The Pentagon is Investing in Space Robots to Repair Satellites

The robots would service military, government and commercial spacecraft more than 22,000 miles above the Earth.

Emerging Tech

FBI’s Facial Recognition Programs Under Fire Over Privacy, Accuracy Concerns

The bureau has largely ignored the Government Accountability Office’s concerns about its use of facial recognition in criminal investigations.

Emerging Tech

VA Looks to 3D-Printing to Improve Veteran Care

The agency is funding efforts to 3D-print hand braces, foot insoles, prosthetic limbs and artificial organs.

Emerging Tech

IARPA is Investing in AI That Constantly Analyzes Worldwide Satellite Images

The IC envisions a system that can stitch together archived and real-time data from satellites, and link it to footage from planes, drones and other aircraft.

Emerging Tech

Inside One Lawmaker's Proposal for a Privacy Bill of Rights

Sen. Ed Markey’s, D-Mass., sweeping privacy framework would limit the amount of data companies collect on users and require more transparency about how it’s being used.

Modernization

Nearly Every Agency Missed Their Data Center Optimization Goals, Watchdog Says

Only two of 22 agencies expected to hit all five of OMB’s optimization benchmarks by the end of 2018.

Policy

GAO Will Pour $15 Million Into New Tech Assessment Office in 2020

The Science and Technology Assessment and Analytics team aims to build lawmakers’ understanding of emerging technologies and weigh in on tech-centric policies.

Artificial Intelligence

Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Curb Algorithmic Bias

The Algorithmic Accountability Act would force companies to check whether their tech is making biased, inaccurate, discriminatory or otherwise unfair decisions.

Modernization

VA Turns to App Developers to Overcome Legacy Tech

The agency is already working with Apple to connect medical records to veterans’ iPhones, and there are more projects on the horizon, according to CIO James Gfrerer.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Want to Fund Cyber Upgrades for State and Local Governments

A bill introduced Monday would create a federal grant program for cash-strapped states that want to bolster their digital defenses.

Cybersecurity

The Private Sector is Trying to Bring More Cyber Experts to Government

Mastercard, Microsoft, Workday and the Partnership for Public Service launched an initiative that would place highly qualified grads in cyber jobs at federal agencies.

Emerging Tech

IRS Turns to Automation Amid Shrinking Workforce

The tax agency is preparing to launch a bot that would reduce a critical contracting compliance measure from multiple hours to two minutes.

Artificial Intelligence

FDA Proposes Regulations for AI-Powered Medical Devices

Because AI retrains itself over time, the administration wants to keep tabs on what’s happening under the hood.

Cybersecurity

DHS Cyber Chief is Ready to Update Federal Tech Hiring

The department is preparing to roll out a new personnel system that will let officials “hire people based on their skill sets, not what’s on a piece of paper,” said Chris Krebs.

Emerging Tech

114 Lawmakers Push to Fund Clean Energy Research

The group wants $500 million for the Energy Department’s advanced research projects agency, which would be eliminated under the White House’s 2020 budget request.

Modernization

VA Won’t Delay Launch of Private Care Software Tool Despite Reported Flaws

The tech will go live on June 6 even if it’s operating “at 70 percent or 50 percent,” said Secretary Robert Wilkie.

Cybersecurity

The FBI Takes Too Long to Alert Victims of Cyberattacks

In one instance, agents waited nine months to tell a company it had been breached, according to an internal watchdog.

Emerging Tech

Interior Doubled Its Use of Drones in 2018

The agency flew more than 10,000 unmanned missions to survey federal land, monitor wildlife and respond to natural disasters.