Artificial Intelligence

Guardrails in government AI purchasing are ‘more important than ever,’ senator says

“Right now, [contracting officers] are set up for failure,” when it comes to buying AI applications, one witness told lawmakers at a Senate hearing.

Digital Government

$212B in suspicious activity reports to FinCENin 2021 concerned identity, officials report

Industry experts tied improved federal identity efforts to better security in financial and other private sector industries.

Artificial Intelligence

AI is part of a 'new era' at IRS, commissioner says

The tax agency announced the expansion of work to use AI in how it goes after large partnerships.

Digital Government

Hawaii’s wildfires led to fast tracking federal identity tools for unemployment claims 

Hawaii is the second state after Arkansas to employ Login.gov and U.S. Postal Service identity proofing options in its unemployment insurance system. 

Modernization

OPM has a plan to take its tech 'from the Flintstones to the Jetsons'

The personnel agency recently released its first IT strategic plan in nearly a decade.

Digital Government

Biden administration inches ahead on 'life experiences' projects

The White House shared updates on cross-agency projects designed to improve and streamline government service delivery. 

Digital Government

TSA proposes allowing federal acceptance of digital IDs while future requirements are crafted

The coming rulemaking would waive REAL ID Act requirements so that federal agencies can still accept mobile driver's licenses when the law’s implementation starts in 2025.

Digital Government

Taxpayer advocate highlights challenges for legit taxpayers tagged as fraudsters by the IRS

The only online remediation option for people whose tax returns have been flagged as potential identity theft is through vendor ID.me.

Modernization

NBIS says it will deliver continuous monitoring for all customers by December

The National Background Investigation Services system was initially scheduled to be up and running in 2019.

People

Former CMS data chief Niall Brennan rejoins government

Brennan will be working as a senior advisor to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with a focus on the agency’s data modernization push.

Artificial Intelligence

Agriculture Department is taking a ‘cautious’ approach to generative AI

The agency’s data “also needs to be in a condition… to support those kinds of tools,” according to USDA chief data officer and responsible AI officer, Chris Alvares.

People

CISA director touts hiring progress

The agency’s culture has been key to its hiring successes, Jen Easterly says.

Digital Government

GSA is looking for participants for its facial recognition study

Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Sonny Hashmi said the study will help determine how to move forward with Login.gov.

Acquisition

Government proposes a sustainability update for contracting regulations

Although the White House said the proposed update to the Federal Acquisition Regulation will help the government meet its zero-emissions goals, some stakeholders want it to go further.

Artificial Intelligence

Lawmaker pushes AI companies for more safety and security commitments

Companies need to take on practices that prevent things like social-scoring, real-time facial recognition and more, according to Sen. Mark Warner.

Digital Government

Senators seek details on SSA’s plan to modernize and simplify disability benefits applications

Three Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee asked the Social Security Administration for details on improvements to the Supplemental Security Income application.

Cybersecurity

White House cyber office has its eye on workforce data

Data on the cybersecurity workforce is fragmented and inconsistent. A top White House official is looking to change that.

Digital Government

How the IRS accidentally tagged thousands of taxpayers as dead

The IRS confirmed that 6,821 tax accounts were marked as deceased and locked — meaning that the agency wouldn’t process the tax returns associated with it — when the person was, in fact, alive.