The Wrap: Navy’s Need for Speed; AI Impacts – Workforce, Bias; Calling all Cyber Defenders

Welcome to The Wrap for Tuesday, February 13!

?

From the newsroom at MeriTalk, it’s the quickest read in Federal tech news. Here’s what you need to know today:

?

Navy’s Need for Speed

When it comes to delivering the latest in disruptive and emerging technologies to the US Navy , the need for speed is paramount. That was a top-line takeaway today from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti , who emphasized that the race for improved systems is driven by the relentless pace of tech adoption by U.S. adversaries. “They’re working to undermine our critical strengths to expose any weaknesses they can and are racing to develop their own warfighting advantage,” the admiral said during a keynote address on the first day of the WEST 2024 conference in San Diego, Calif., co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute . “In this rapidly changing security environment, America’s warfighting Navy, our sailors, alongside our Marines and Coast Guardsmen, must be the very best warfighters in the world,” Franchetti said. “And we must design, develop, and deliver to those warfighters the best systems, weapons, and platforms that will deter or defeat any adversary anytime, anywhere,” she said. “The stakes are too high, and the time is too short to act otherwise. We must act with urgency.”

?

Top AI EO Impact: Workforce

Federal government tech officials said at Monday’s State of the Net Conference that President Biden’s AI executive order may end up having its biggest impact by pushing the government toward recruiting more AI talent into the Federal ranks. Mina Hsiang , administrator of the United States Digital Service (USDS), said, “one of the things that was incredibly exciting was the attention and focus [the EO] put on talent and on saying the only way that we can meet this moment – when technology is poised to so fundamentally change how we deliver everything – is for us to have talent inside government who truly understands what that means, how it works, and how to leverage that.” Federal CIO Clare Martorana picked up on the same theme, saying that while government is already leveraging AI in interesting ways, talent remains a critical part of welding the emerging technology. “There’s also enabling talent,” Martorana said. “It’s not all researchers that we are going to be hiring – we need IT teams on the ground in agencies that have modern skills, they are using modern software, they’re working on a good tech stack, and that they’re able to actually help their ecosystem in your agency go on a journey of innovation.”

?

AI Harm Protection

That imperative was top of mind for Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., today as she called on Congress to make sure that AI tech won't become harmful to citizens, especially those in marginalized communities. “As we seek to innovate, we must also work to enshrine values into the technology of the future,” Rep. Clarke said during her keynote speech at a Center for Civil Rights and Technology event.?“Technology cannot be innovative if it’s leaving behind the marginalized,” she emphasized, while warning that biases in AI algorithms can pose grave risks to people when the technology helps make decisions in critical areas such as insurance, housing, employment, healthcare, banking, and policing. “Bias in AI is the civil rights issue of our time … We must take care to ensure the harms of the past are not entrenched in the technology of the future,” Rep. Clarke said.

?

CIA Digital Innovation Deputy

Congrats to Juliane Gallina , who has been appointed deputy director for digital innovation at the Central Intelligence Agency . She moves up to the new job after serving as associate deputy director for digital innovation, and brings with her a wealth of experience including working the dual-hatted role of chief information officer and director of the information technology enterprise at the CIA. “Throughout my career, I’ve reflected that there are three elements to the perfect job: great people, great technology, great mission – and I’ve been delighted to find all three while serving at CIA,” Gallina said. “We are in the right place at the right time for positive mission impact.”

?

Calling all Cyber Defenders

Who are your favorite?Cyber Defenders?– the security leaders both in the Federal government and tech industry who are going above and beyond in advancing the mission, leading cybersecurity modernization, and defending against threats?? Please drop us a line through March 22 with your favorite picks to meet the nomination deadline for MeriTalk’s 2024 Cyber Defenders Awards to recognize this year’s cyber stalwarts.? We’re looking for nominations of the best cyber pros from government and industry, and to give them the recognition they deserve on June 13 at Planet Word in Washington, D.C. To get the ball rolling, please?drop us a nomination?– for yourself, for a colleague –? and tell us a little bit about their accomplishments. Award nominees must work in the Federal IT industry and exhibit strong leadership in cyber innovation in the field.

?

Once again, let’s “call IT a day,” but we'll bring you more tomorrow. Until then please check the MeriTalk breaking news website throughout the day for the latest on government IT people, process, and policy. And finally, please hit the news tip jar [with leads, breaking news, or simply your two cents] at [email protected].