Posted by
Cost Estimating NewsBrief: February 16, 2024
DoD wants to ‘popularize’ data patterns to leverage AI
(Federal News Network) “Before the Defense Department can even start leveraging artificial intelligence at scale, it needs access to data. But barriers ranging from policy constraints to organizational silos to technical domain challenges to acquisition pathways to lack of understanding and trust continue to hinder effective implementation of the nascent technology across the department. The DoD’s Chief Digital and AI Office wants to “popularize” data patterns and establish common practices for organizing and structuring data.
” Read More
MDA, SDA Confirm Successful Launch of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor and Tranche 0 Satellites
(U.S. Department of Defense) On Wednesday, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Space Development Agency (SDA) confirmed the successful launch of six satellites to low-Earth orbit at 5:30 p.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The satellites, which include two satellites for MDA’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) and the final four SDA Tranche 0 (T0) Tracking Layer satellites of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), were safely delivered to orbit and are conducting initial testing and checkout. Read More
MITRE researched air traffic language AI tool for FAA, documents show
(FedScoop) MITRE, a public interest research nonprofit that receives federal funding, proposed a system for transcribing and studying conversations between pilots and air traffic controllers, according to documents obtained by FedScoop through a public records request. A presentation dated August 2023 and titled “Advanced Capabilities for Capturing Controller-Pilot dialogue” shows that MITRE engaged in a serious effort to study how natural language processing could be used to help the Federal Aviation Administration, and, in particular, to help with “understanding the safety-related and routine operations of the National Airspace System.” Read More
Labor Department experiments with AI in unemployment systems
(NextGov/FCW) The U.S. Labor Department is experimenting with how states might be able to use artificial intelligence to assist employees charged with sorting through claims and delivering benefits. As of now, it doesn’t appear that the Labor Department is looking to outsource actual benefits determinations to algorithms. The research, dubbed the artificial intelligence adjudicator assistance project, is looking for ways to sort and route claims information to staff. Read More
Report Updates Status of Changes to Security Clearance Processes
(FedWeek) The Government continued to make significant headway in 2023. Continuous vetting is alerting agencies to problematic behavior much faster for 100% of their national security personnel – years earlier than a periodic reinvestigation would have. Pilots expanding continuous vetting to the nonsensitive public trust population kicked off in 2023 and will inform the next steps required for enterprise scaling. As part of continuous vetting efforts, Rap Back enrollments have increased from 328k to 680, a 107% increase that is providing real-time arrest record alerts. Read More
A tiny asteroid just snuck between the Earth and moon
(Space.com) A newly-discovered asteroid snuck safely between the Earth and moon during a very close encounter this week. On Monday (Feb. 12), an asteroid named 2024 CY1 traveled within 75,278 miles (121,148 kilometers) of Earth, which is about 31 percent of the average distance between the moon and Earth (238,855 miles; 384,400 km), also known as “lunar distance.” The asteroid’s close approach occurred at 2:24 a.m. ET (0724 GMT), according to the Virtual Telescope Project. Read More
The future of European defense and security
(McKinsey & Company) Ensuring the economic development of Europe and the well-being of its citizens is the primary objective for European leaders. At the same time, two years into the war in Ukraine and 75 years since the creation of NATO, Europe is adapting to a new reality when it comes to defense and security. Doing so with efficiency and effectiveness is essential to protect the lives and livelihoods of European citizens, while still allowing for investments into other priorities such as education, technology, healthcare, and the net-zero transition. Read More
ICEAA’s NewsBrief is a collection of articles relevant to the cost estimating and analysis community that is delivered weekly to current ICEAA members. To advertise in NewsBrief, contact iceaa@iceaaonline.org.