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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: May 3, 2024
Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for the Federal Workforce
(U.S. Office of Personnel Management) “Artificial intelligence” (AI), as used here, refers to a machine-based system that can make predictions, recommendations, or decisions. When used responsibly, it is a powerful technology that can improve federal government operations and service delivery. Within the broad field of AI, Generative AI (GenAI) is a rapidly evolving technology that can generate content, including text, audio, images, or video, in response to a prompt or input data. It includes conversational AI applications (for example, OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Meta LLaMa, Anthropic Claude) and image generation AI applications, (for example, OpenAI DALL-E, Midjourney, Stability AI Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly), Read More
In deploying AI, the Federal Aviation Administration faces unique challenges
(FedScoop) The Biden administration has made the deployment of artificial intelligence a priority, directing federal agencies to look for ways to integrate the technology into their operations. But the Federal Aviation Administration faces unique challenges with that goal. Through partners, its own internal research staff, and work with NASA, the country’s aviation safety regulator is looking at a range of AI applications. The FAA has a chief scientific and technical advisor for artificial intelligence — machine learning, who is charged with expanding the country’s role in understanding how AI might be deployed in aviation contexts. Read More
DIA building ‘data-literate’ workforce to harness OSINT
(Federal News Network) The Defense Intelligence Agency is using more open-source data than ever before, but one of its top leaders says DIA is aiming to create a “data-literate” workforce to analyze the growing hoard of information. Greg Ryckman, DIA’s deputy director for global integration, said the agency’s open-source collection efforts have expanded massively over the last two decades. DIA is charged with analyzing foreign defense and military capabilities. Read More
Here’s how the government’s AI and tech hiring surge is going so far
(NextGov/FCW) Government agencies have hired over 150 individuals into AI and AI-enabling roles since President Biden signed his AI-focused executive order last fall, and agencies intend to hire over 500 more in fiscal 2025, according to a new report from the AI and Tech Talent Task Force released Friday. Set up by the Biden White House’s sweeping AI executive order last fall, the task force is meant to spur the hiring of AI talent, as agencies look to leverage the tech within government, build regulatory and policy capacity and strengthen the research and development ecosystem. Read More
House lawmaker hopes to resuscitate DoD’s venture fellowship program
(Breaking Defense) A program that embeds Defense Department employees at tech startups and venture capital firms may not be wholly dead just yet. At the Hill and Valley Forum happening today on Capitol Hill, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., announced plans to push for the creation of a venture fellowship program inside the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital through this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. The proposed office would fill the gap left by the recent dissolution of the Defense Ventures Program run by the Air Force’s AFWERX innovation arm and Shift, a firm that links DoD civilians and military personnel with job opportunities in the private sector. Read More
Foreign Assistance: USAID Should Strengthen Risk Management in Conflict Zones
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The U.S. Agency for International Development has standard processes to manage risks to its delivery of assistance in countries worldwide. But in countries affected by violent conflict, dangerous conditions can limit USAID’s ability to directly oversee its assistance—increasing the risk of fraud or corruption. We reviewed how USAID manages risks, particularly in 3 countries currently experiencing violent conflict: Nigeria, Somalia, and Ukraine. We found that USAID didn’t comprehensively assess and document relevant fraud risks in these countries. Doing so can help safeguard assistance. We recommended that USAID take these and other actions. Read More
Is State Dept.’s AUKUS trade certification delay a sign of choppy waters ahead?
(Breaking Defense) The US State Department this month declined to certify that the United Kingdom and Australia had “comparable” arms control practices, meaning they’re currently not eligible for some key defense trade exemptions. And while government officials painted the decision as little more than a procedural bump in the road for the budding AUKUS trilateral security arrangement, an industry advocate, analysts and some American lawmakers said it may signal less-than-smooth waters ahead for a critical multi-national project. Read More
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