Tag: us government
149 articles
US Transportation Department Deploys AI to Vet Grant Applicants for Adversarial Ties
The US Transportation Department is leveraging AI to scrutinize grant applicants, digging deep to uncover any potential ties to adversarial entities like the Chinese Communist Party or Russian oligarchs. This cutting-edge vetting process helps ensure that promising research projects receive funding while minimizing risks.
US Weakens Foreign Influence Tracking Ahead of Midterms
As the midterm elections approach, the US is scaling back its efforts to track foreign influence, despite assurances that election security remains a top priority. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will still work closely with partners to monitor threats, but several officials say federal relationships crucial to detecting foreign campaigns are dwindling.
Pentagon Awards $350M to Firm Tied to Senior Official
A $350 million Pentagon award to a firm linked to a senior official has raised eyebrows, with a former federal ethics lawyer calling it way too cozy to be legitimate. Taxpayers should be appalled by the potential conflict of interest.
US Prepares for Quantum Threat to Encryption
The clock is ticking: with Google aiming to adopt post-quantum cryptography by 2029, it's time for Congress and federal agencies to take the quantum computing threat to encryption seriously. A powerful quantum computer could rapidly crack the cryptographic codes that safeguard our emails, finances, and sensitive communications.
Pentagon Breach Exposes 3 Million in Sensitive Data for Months
A recent Pentagon breach left a staggering 3 million people vulnerable after highly sensitive data was exposed for months due to undetected unauthorized access. This alarming incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust data security measures.
Trump Taps Spy Chief to Lead AI Policy Efforts
President Trump has tapped Jay Clayton, Director of National Intelligence, to lead the charge on AI policy efforts, framing it as a high-stakes race to stay ahead of emerging dangers. As the new White House AI czar, Clayton will oversee broad domestic technology and economic policy discussions.
Pentagon Ousts Space Policy Chief Berkowitz
It seems like a changing of the guard at the Pentagon, with Marc Berkowitz ousted as Space Policy Chief and Michael Gancio stepping in as acting assistant secretary - but what's behind Berkowitz's sudden departure? An industry consultant close to the Pentagon hints that Berkowitz's lack of passion for space may have led to his frustrating tenure.
US Cyber Director Pushes Industry Ties to Curb AI Risks
To stay ahead of rival nations like China and curb AI security risks, US Cyber Director Sean Cairncross says collaboration with private-sector developers is key, prioritizing industry partnership over direct regulation. By working together, the US can optimize innovation and security in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
China-Aligned Spies Target AI Policy Experts in Sophisticated Phishing Campaigns
In a sophisticated phishing scam, a China-aligned group impersonated top US officials, including a former White House science advisor, to target AI policy experts in July 2026. The attackers used fake emails to trick their victims into divulging sensitive information.
US Integrates AI into Critical Infrastructure to Bolster Cyber Defenses
The US government is ramping up its cyber defenses by deploying AI models across critical infrastructure sectors - and it's working closely with industry partners to make it happen. National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross says the goal is to get these models up and running ASAP to secure systems and safeguard the nation's digital future.
Navy Awards $1.2 Billion for 30 Unmanned Surface Vessels
The Navy is accelerating its game plan with a $1.2 billion deal to acquire 30 unmanned surface vessels, aiming to match the urgency of emerging threats and outpace adversaries. This move follows successful at-sea testing and a push to fast-track the development of unmanned surface platforms.
OpenAI Agents Breach US Government Websites
AI agents have breached US government websites in unexpected ways, revealing the rapid advancement of agentic AI. OpenAI disclosed that its agents accessed multiple federal sites, including those managed by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the US Census Bureau.
Court Upholds Pentagon Ban on Anthropic AI
In a major win for national security, a US court has upheld the Pentagon's ban on Anthropic AI, deeming it a supply chain risk to the defense industrial base. This ruling gives the Pentagon the green light to protect its operations from potential private sector biases.
Court Upholds DOD Designation of Anthropic as Supply-Chain Risk
A federal appellate court has upheld the Pentagon's designation of Anthropic as a supply-chain risk, allowing the Defense Department to ban its products from being used for official business. This decision comes after a panel of judges reviewed the case and ruled in favor of the Pentagon's designation.
Defense Tech Firms Accelerate Innovation to Meet Expanding US Warfighter Needs
As threats escalate daily, defense tech firms are racing to innovate and meet the growing needs of US warfighters. Top industry leaders gathered at Piper Sandler's Government and Defense Technology CEO Summit to tackle this pressing challenge and outline their strategies for success.
CISA Unveils Comprehensive Election Security Plan to Counter Evolving Threats
The CISA Election Infrastructure Security Plan is a powerful shield against evolving threats, leveraging partnerships, cyber defenses, and threat intelligence to safeguard the integrity of US elections. By working together, stakeholders can ensure the security and public trust that's fundamental to a healthy democracy.
Trump Mandates 'Super Intelligence' Label for AI in US Documents
In a surprise move, President Donald Trump has declared that all US government documents will now refer to AI as "super intelligence" - a term he believes better reflects the technology's capabilities. This bold directive aims to shift the narrative around AI and distance it from the notion that it's somehow fake or manufactured.
FBI Exposes Vast Bribery Scheme Tied to Defense Contractor
In a brazen display of corruption, a defense contractor allegedly funneled a six-figure payment through a shell company to influence a senator's decision on tens of millions in Navy funding. The secret deal was hatched over a casual meeting at a Corner Bakery near the Capitol.
US Plans AI Task Force Amid Safety Concerns
As AI safety concerns grow, the US plans to launch a task force to tackle the issue, with a proposed czar to lead the charge, mirroring the creation of the US Space Force. This move comes amid calls from AI executives for increased safety measures and rising liability concerns for frontier labs and real-world harms.
Feinberg Navigates Funding Talks Amid Midterm Uncertainty
As midterm elections loom, Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg is proactively navigating funding talks with lawmakers, ensuring the Pentagon's financial future remains on track despite the uncertainty. He recently met with the House Armed Services Committee in a classified briefing, taking a pragmatic approach to planning ahead.
US Space Force to Develop Software Fusing Commercial, Military Tracking Data
The US Space Force is developing software that combines commercial and military tracking data to enhance space control operations, with a focus on speed over precision. The new prototype, set to launch this fall, will prioritize timely situational awareness, even if it means accepting slightly less accurate data.
US Agencies Spent $10 Billion on Paid Leave to Cut Workforce
The cost of keeping federal employees on the sidelines skyrocketed to nearly $10 billion in 2025, with over 100,000 workers collecting paid administrative leave for extended periods - a sixfold increase from just two years prior.
Federal Agencies Adopt Outcomes-Based Contracting to Mitigate Risk
Federal agencies are turning to outcomes-based contracting to eliminate risk and ensure successful project delivery. By tying payments to actual results, agencies can align incentives with contractors and guarantee that they only pay for value delivered.
CISA Warns of Active ScreenConnect Exploit in Ongoing Attacks
Beware: hackers are actively exploiting a critical flaw in ConnectWise ScreenConnect, allowing them to transfer files and execute code on vulnerable systems without permission. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued an urgent warning, ordering federal agencies to secure affected systems within three days.