Digital Government

Spamming democracy

The threat and promise of generative AI in the regulatory process.

Digital Government

The White House has questions about AI surveillance in the workplace

The request for information is the latest in the administration's work on AI. Last week, four enforcement agencies released a joint letter pledging to enforce anti-discrimination laws in the AI arena.

People

OPM's plan to upgrade federal employee data

The Office of Personnel Management released a new data strategy on Wednesday with a slew of data-related goals, including the creation of a "360-view" of federal employees across the employee lifecycle.

Digital Government

President’s AI advisory committee says the government needs clearer leadership on the technology

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said during a Tuesday meeting with the advisory committee that the government needs “to come up with some ways to do no harm [in AI] in the immediate – like this week, next month, three months, six months.”

People

NASA struggles to improve workforce diversity

The space agency has been trying to improve diversity and inclusion for over a decade, according to a new inspector general report, but its workforce still lags the federal government in employment of women and minorities.

Digital Government

NIST sets sights on implementing identity provisions from the CHIPS Act

According to a recent roadmap, NIST is looking to issue guidance on how federal, state and local governments can offer attribute validation services.

People

Catalyst Award

Longtime federal technology leader Maria Roat says she relishes the challenges.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity still 'high risk' in GAO’s book after over 25 years

The management of the government’s IT acquisitions and operations is also on the Government Accountability Office’s biennial high risk list update this year, as it has been since 2015.

Policy

House Democrats bring back customer experience bill targeting student loan, passport updates

A bill reintroduced Tuesday aims to codify parts of the White House’s 2021 executive order on making government services more user-friendly.

Digital Government

GSA unveils new USA.gov websites

The new versions of USA.gov and USA.Gov en Español come after beta testing by the agency to make the sites more user-friendly.

Digital Government

USDA aims to build in-house tech talent, CX expertise with new digital services team

The department's own digital services team will be modeled after other “tour-of-duty” style models in government like the USDS. 

Digital Government

Some states may be barring the door to unemployment benefits

Despite Labor Department guidelines, nine states are requiring UI applicants to verify their identity before submitting applications.

People

ARPA-H nets data, design experts in new Presidential Innovation Fellows cohort

Thirteen agencies will host 20 private sector fellows to help develop innovative ways to deliver public service.

Digital Government

National Park Service considers a digital park pass

Making a digital option for the American the Beautiful pass series that would live on mobile phone wallets is a goal shared by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Angus King (I-Maine), who introduced a bill that would require digital passes in February.

Digital Government

IRS outlines tech modernization, CX plans as part of $80 billion overhaul

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told reporters on Thursday that technology will be key to achieving the agency’s intentions to transform customer service at the agency and shrink the tax gap.

Emerging Tech

Labor Dept. Watchdog Urges 'Extreme Caution' on Facial Recognition

Since the start of the pandemic and an upswing in fraudulent claims in the jobless aid systems, the use of facial recognition in identity checks has spread across states, raising OIG concerns about access and privacy.

Digital Government

Labor Dept. watchdog urges 'extreme caution' on facial recognition

Since the start of the pandemic and an upswing in fraudulent claims in the jobless aid systems, the use of facial recognition in identity checks has spread across states, raising OIG concerns about access and privacy.

Digital Government

New guide looks to slash 'time tax' on benefits applications

The project is one example of a Biden administration push to rework intake forms for government programs to be more user-friendly and less time consuming.

Acquisition

Report: 39% of VA IT contract awards didn't have CIO approval

A new Government Accountability Office report found that the Department of Veterans Affairs isn’t always including its CIO in tech procurements, as required by the FITARA.