FedScoop

Our 15th annual #FedTalks was a tremendous success, bringing together leaders from across the public sector to explore the future of federal technology. From groundbreaking discussions on AI and cloud adoption to insights on strengthening cybersecurity and leveraging data management for mission success, the day was filled with actionable strategies and innovative solutions. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us, including our esteemed speakers: Drew Myklegard, Elizabeth Moon, Bridget Carper, Rick Houlihan, Les Call, Tom Guido, Guy Cavallo, Bryan Schromsky, Nick P., Ann Dunkin, Dr. Michael Hayduk, Jane Zipoli, Kelly Michaud Cox, PMP, Stephen Barney, Denis Wane, Michelle Rudnicki, Kirsten Dalboe, Heidi Kobylski, Campbell Watson, Eric Mill, Amy Jones, Jeff Greene, Mangala Kuppa, Adam Clater, Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov, Dana Barnes, Maya Israni. And to our valued sponsors: Accenture Federal Services, Cisco Security, Dataminr, EY, Google for Government, IBM Data, AI & Automation, Microsoft in Government, MongoDB, Amazon Web Services (AWS), NetApp U.S. Public Sector, Inc., Red Hat, Salesforce, Verizon Business, Splunk, T-Mobile For Business. Your participation fueled thought-provoking conversations that will help drive the public sector forward in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey and for making this year’s #FedTalks an event to remember. Interested in joining us for future events? Visit fedscoop.com/events to learn more and secure your spot!

Nine bipartisan bills were passed by the House Science, Space and Technology Committee on Wednesday, including legislation to formally establish the National AI Research Resource and authorize the AI Safety Institute under a new name. All nine measures advanced out of the committee via voice votes, and in several cases, identical or similar bills were advanced by a Senate panel earlier this summer. While some differences would still need to be resolved between the proposals in each chamber, moving the legislation forward indicates bipartisan and bicameral momentum on research, education and safety proposals. https://lnkd.in/e_k27u7W

Competition is a concern when it comes to companies operating in low-Earth orbit, Federal Communications Commissions Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Wednesday, referring specifically to Starlink, the satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX and its CEO, Elon Musk. During a FedScoop-moderated discussion at the Global Aerospace Summit in Washington, D.C., Rosenworcel said that in her time leading the FCC, one thing that’s become clear to her is that “every communications market that has competition is stronger.” https://lnkd.in/e9fxVJ4T

The White House is pursuing several new efforts meant to advance U.S. leadership on artificial intelligence, announcing Thursday the creation of a new task force on data center infrastructure and related measures following a meeting with several executives of leading AI and tech companies. The meeting centered on key aspects of the physical infrastructure required to build AI infrastructure in the U.S., including clean energy permitting and workforce requirements — priorities that seemingly echo policymakers’ discussions about boosting semiconductor manufacturing. Specifically, federal officials and executives who attended Thursday’s White House roundtable focused on securing power sources to support the enormous data centers that large AI models depend on. https://lnkd.in/ek6AR2Gx

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s release of encryption standards to protect against future attacks from quantum computers set in motion new work for government and industry to implement those algorithms. As that process begins, federal officials discussing the migration are highlighting the importance of actions such as prioritizing high-value assets, working toward “crypto agile” systems, and purchasing compliant tools. https://lnkd.in/eQuR4FpM

As the clock winds down on the deadline for federal agencies to implement various zero-trust architecture measures, the General Services Administration is cruising to the finish line and eyeing new cybersecurity priorities. Completing those requirements ahead of the Sept. 30 end date was made possible by the agency starting its zero-trust mission “many years” before the 2021 cybersecurity executive order, its top IT official said in an interview. Dave Shive, GSA’s chief information officer, said in an email to FedScoop that the agency was able to meet those 2021 cyber goals by developing a software strategy that was “closely aligned with” the order and the corresponding Office of Management and Budget guidance. https://lnkd.in/eDXWWjFC

The Office of Management and Budget is set to soon issue a new memo to help guide agencies’ acquisition of artificial intelligence technologies. Deputy Federal CIO Drew Myklegard said Tuesday at FedTalks, produced by FedScoop, that on top of all the milestones the Biden administration has met since issuing its landmark AI executive order last fall, OMB has been developing guidance to ensure federal agencies are following best practices when acquiring AI technologies. https://lnkd.in/e8CjKHcc

A former Internal Revenue Service IT staffer pleaded guilty this week to accepting bribes in exchange for helping people he knew and their businesses land and keep contract work with the tax agency, the Department of Justice said Wednesday. Satbir Thukral, 62, of Germantown, Md., conducted two bribery schemes over four years in his capacity as a computer engineer supervising IT subcontracts for the IRS, according to the DOJ. https://lnkd.in/ewBEUvT2

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is asking organizations to provide information about artificial intelligence technologies for use in health care outcomes and service delivery as it plans demonstration events. In a request for information announced earlier this week, CMS said it wants to gather information about AI products and services from health care companies, providers, payers, start-ups and others, and plans to eventually select organizations to provide demos of those technologies at “CMS AI Demo Days” starting in October. https://lnkd.in/eTvp3BS4

Nine bipartisan bills were passed by the House Science, Space and Technology Committee on Wednesday, including legislation to formally establish the National AI Research Resource and authorize the AI Safety Institute under a new name. All nine measures advanced out of the committee via voice votes, and in several cases, identical or similar bills were advanced by a Senate panel earlier this summer. While some differences would still need to be resolved between the proposals in each chamber, moving the legislation forward indicates bipartisan and bicameral momentum on research, education and safety proposals. https://lnkd.in/efNJhyCK