A data literacy initiative within the U.S. Department of Agriculture is growing, according to a senior Food and Nutrition Service executive. Chris Rottler, the FNS’ chief data officer, said his agency’s Data Science Training Program has become part of USDA’s upskilling strategy, Federal News Network reported Monday. He added that the initiative is seeing “a […]
The Department of Energy has issued a request for information on potential barriers to the competition it plans to select a contractor to manage and operate the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, dubbed the Jefferson Lab or JLab, in Newport News, Virginia. According to a post on SAM .gov, the RFI will help the DOE […]
The office of Sen. Gary Peters has announced that he supports the advancement of a bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration to a full Senate vote. The legislation would establish the FAA’s agenda through 2028. It includes provisions to improve airport infrastructure, aviation safety and traveler protections, Peters’ office said Friday. Specifically, the bill would […]
The Department of Commerce has announced the formal signing of the public-private consortium agreement for the National Semiconductor Technology Center, through which more than $5 billion in semiconductor research and development investments will be channeled. The NSTC was established under the Biden administration’s 2022 CHIPS and Science Act and is one of four R&D programs […]
The National Science Foundation has awarded grants to 15 multidisciplinary teams under Phase 1 of the Convergence Accelerator’s Track M: Bio-inspired Design Innovations. Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for technology, innovation and partnerships, said that bio-inspired design research has shown potential to help in solving complex challenges. He added that through the investment, NSF aims to […]
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has announced that Elizabeth Kelly will serve as the first director of the U.S. AI Safety Institute, a new regulatory body within the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Kelly, who concurrently serves as special assistant to the president for economic policy at the White House National Economic Council, will manage […]
The Federal Communications Commission has banned the use of robocalls using artificial intelligence-generated voices. On Thursday, the commission issued a declaratory ruling making the use of AI-generated voices or audio deepfakes in robocalls illegal. The ruling is the signal for state attorney generals to go after organizations using voice-cloning technologies to scam Americans. The ruling […]
Consulting and technology services company ICF has announced five service agreements totaling $24 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to support a range of mental health programs, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Three of the awards are meant to enhance suicide hotline and reporting systems, ICF said Wednesday. The […]
The Senate has allocated more than $260 million for the deployment of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence at the Mexican border in its proposed $118 billion immigration and foreign aid funding bill. The spending package primarily aims to strengthen border security policy by limiting the asylum process and expediting deportations, Nextgov/FCW reported Monday. It would […]
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has extended the Information and Communications Technology Supply Chain Risk Management Task Force’s operations for two years. With the renewal, the task force is expected to continue developing risk-mitigating products using artificial intelligence to address threats posed to ICT supply chain risk management processes. Composed of representatives from the […]
