Modernization

Is RPA ready for prime time?

After a year filled with robotic process automation pilots, agencies are focused on truly operationalizing in 2019.

Cybersecurity

Microsoft president calls for government oversight on facial recognition

The tech industry leader is worried that potential abuses of facial recognition technology could diminish enthusiasm for positive and practical uses in commerce and law enforcement.

Modernization

White House plans spring release of AI research strategy

The strategy will be an updated version of a plan first released under the Obama administration.

Digital Government

House passes SMART IoT Act

The bill would require the Commerce Department to study the state of internet of things and any existing regulations in the area.

Modernization

Can cloud speed up scientific discovery?

A new project from the National Science Foundation looks at how cloud computing can support science and engineering research.

Cybersecurity

HHS to release cyber guidance for health industry

The guidance offers best practices for dealing with threats targeting the health care sector.

Cybersecurity

With elections over, DHS maintains ‘heightened’ posture

As the National Risk Management Center winds down its work on 2018 election security, it is turning its attention to securing other critical infrastructure sectors.

Digital Government

Quantum Consortium aims to keep U.S. research on pace

The new group allows participating companies to communicate with the National Institute of Standards and Technology about research needs without revealing proprietary secrets.

Digital Government

DHS says voting tech monitors are working

With a week to go before the midterm elections, the Department of Homeland Security expects to be able to detect any nefarious activity targeting voting infrastructure.

People

Are bots coming for your job?

While vendors and federal managers try to paint a future of "high value work," some are starting to acknowledge that robotic process automation could lead to job losses in the federal workforce.

Cybersecurity

Warner presses agencies, Congress to advance IoT security

Congress is running out of time to move on an internet-of-things security bill offered by Sen. Mark Warner, but the Virginia Democrat is hopeful agencies can pitch in with their own rules.

Cybersecurity

IoT poses special cyber risks

Internet-connected devices pose special risks for federal agencies, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology is developing guidance to meet the need.

Digital Government

'Alexa, how is NASA using chatbots?'

NASA is testing these devices to see how well they work with automating internal processes like scheduling a meeting or looking up contract information.

People

Hurd, Kelly: Government must pay more attention to AI

The leaders of the House IT subcommittee are looking to legislation and funding to level up progress in AI and workforce development to make sure feds can leverage the technology.

Acquisition

DARPA funds next-generation AI

The $2 billion "AI Next" campaign aims to transform computers from specialized tools to partners with contextual reasoning capabilities.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers seek answers on possible drone threat

Technology for detecting and disabling unmanned systems that threaten U.S. facilities and assets requires more testing, witnesses told a Senate panel.

Digital Government

Senate Intel committee releases election security recommendations

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released its initial recommendations on election security after investigating Russian attempts to target election infrastructure during the 2016 U.S. elections.

Modernization

Granite State opts out of FirstNet

Although 35 states and territories have decided to join the AT&T-based public safety broadband network, the proposal by Rivada Networks was "far and away our best option," the governor said.

Digital Government

Trump tells FAA to move faster on drone traffic control

The administration has issued new mandates for accelerating the integration of unmanned aerial systems into the national airspace.

Modernization

Navigation moves indoors

By using the data generated from smartphone sensor readings, radio frequency signal strengths and GPS fixes, NIST hopes developers can build indoor navigation apps that can be validated against fixed locations.