Tech

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.

Tech

The White House is developing a 10-year modernization plan to replace legacy IT

The National Cybersecurity Strategy tasks the Office of Management and Budget with creating a plan to eliminate all vulnerable legacy systems from federal agencies within a decade.

Management

Responsible AI use in support of federal agency missions 

COMMENTARY︱The potential benefits of artificial intelligence for federal agencies are not a new conversation, but how to implement the technology so officials can achieve the gains they are looking for is worth taking time with.

Workforce

Want successful integration of AI at federal agencies? Engage employees through the unions

COMMENTARY | AI will bring dramatic, disruptive, productive changes that can improve how the work of government is carried out over the next 10 years. To prepare for it, organizations will need to learn together and plan together.

Workforce

Where agencies are turning to automation to augment human work

Tech policy leadership discussed ongoing federal use cases for automated systems, emphasizing responsible implementation and agency-specific training. 

Management

VA secretary: Automation will help agency ‘make better, faster, more informed decisions’

VA Secretary Denis McDonough said the department is poised “to deliver a completely new, fully integrated experience” for veterans as officials expect a further increase in PACT Act claims.

Defense

House, Senate China hawks concerned White House will let TikTok stay in the US

Key Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate warned that tweaked language in a new Commerce Department rule could lay the groundwork for TikTok’s proposal to store U.S. users’ data in the country.

Oversight

Democrats call YouTube ‘extremely irresponsible’ for election misinformation rollback

YouTube’s decision to stop removing false content about previous U.S. elections “threatens to weaken our democracy,” several top Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee said in a letter to the platform’s leaders. 

Management

VA official expects Oracle Cerner to deliver on $10B EHR contract despite layoffs

While lawmakers and officials expect work to continue as planned, an insider warned that layoffs at Oracle Cerner targeted a clinical team that worked to implement new electronic health record systems.

Management

Vacant White House cyber post draws concern amid global software breach

In the aftermath of a global cyberattack exposing personal data on millions of Americans, calls are growing for the White House to fill the top slot at the Office of the National Cyber Director.

Management

Government has a policy over people problem, civic tech leader argues

In a new book, Code for America founder Jennifer Pahlka argues that government implementers need more authority to avoid becoming risk-averse compliance agents.

Defense

Air Force Lab Seeks Higher-Risk, Higher-Reward Breakthroughs

At the Defense One Tech Summit, AFRL's tech chief says the lab wants to answer science questions that have never been asked.

Workforce

Better Data Sharing Begins With Dispelling Staff Mistrust

Ensuring that employees understand data-sharing agreements and are comfortable with the terminology will build the trust they need to learn to use data effectively, experts say.

Management

Lawmakers Have Questions About Online Passport Renewal

Members of Congress are hearing it from constituents on long waits to renew passports and want more info about an online option.

Workforce

Forcing Feds Into the Office Is a Mistake. Here's Why.

An arbitrary reduction in telework is likely to drive an exodus of qualified federal workers seeking flexibility to the private sector.

Workforce

EEOC Alerts Employers to AI Discrimination Risks

The agency explains how existing civil rights protections apply to artificial intelligence applications in the workplace.

Workforce

Remote Work Has Been Controversial For Decades

Tom Shoop joins the podcast to discuss the history of federal telework policy.

Tech

Senate Bill Looks to Train AI-Ready Workforce, Focus on Risk Mitigation

The bipartisan legislation, introduced last week, aims to help public sector employees catch up with advancing AI technologies.

Tech

Proposed Law Would Create Responsible Emerging Tech Leaders at Agencies

The bill would require a senior official at each relevant agency to oversee technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum and biotechnology to ensure responsible usage.