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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: March 22, 2024
AI transparency creates ‘big cultural challenge’ for parts of DHS, AI chief says
(FedSCoop) As the Department of Homeland Security ventures deeper into the adoption of artificial intelligence — while doing so in a transparent, responsible way in line with policies laid out by the Biden administration — it’s likely to result in friction for some of the department’s elements that don’t typically operate in such an open manner, according to DHS’s top AI official. Read More
AI Research and Development: How Is It Shaping the Future?
(ExecutiveGov) First coined in 1956, artificial intelligence has now become a big part of our world. AI research and development is rapidly changing operations in governments, societies, and industries. In 2035, AI technologies are envisioned to increase labor productivity by up to 40%, simplifying work and improving people’s commitment toward business growth. Here, we explore AI research and development and what it means for the U.S. government. Read More
Senate bill would require platforms to get consumer consent before their data is used on AI-model training
(FedScoop) Online platforms would need to get consent from consumers before using their data to train AI models under new legislation from a pair of Senate Democrats. If a company fails to obtain that express informed consent from consumers prior to AI model training, it would be deemed a deceptive or unfair practice and result in enforcement action from the Federal Trade Commission, under the Artificial Intelligence Consumer Opt-In, Notification Standards, and Ethical Norms for Training (AI CONSENT) Act, introduced Wednesday by Sens. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M. Read More
I’m disappointed’: Pentagon CIO cybersecurity chief asks industry, where’s my AI?
(Federal News Network) For years, Pentagon leaders have argued that cybersecurity, like missile defense, was a natural place to start using artificial intelligence: high-speed, high-stakes, with too much data coming in too fast for a human mind to comprehend. But, amidst the current AI boom, have algorithms materialized that can help cybersecurity today? “So far, not really,” lamented David McKeown, the Pentagon’s senior information security officer and deputy CIO for cybersecurity, when the question came up at an AFCEA TechNet Emergence panel Monday. “I’m disappointed.” Read More
US defense modernization gets a ‘D’ grade in new report as tech roadblocks persist
(Breaking Defense) A new report released today gives the United States a “D” in defense modernization, the result of the Defense Department showing little improvement in transitioning the innovative gear from fledgling defense tech firms into mass-produced equipment available for battlefield use. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute today released its second annual National Security Innovation Base report card, which assigns grades to key metrics tied to the Pentagon’s ability to leverage the work of the defense companies, start ups and research laboratories it depends on to develop leap-ahead technologies. Read More
Implementing generative AI with speed and safety
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The Department of Homeland Security’s Securing the Cities program is trying to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks in high-risk urban areas. This program helps state and local agencies in 13 regions detect radiological and nuclear materials that could be used in such attacks—such as by funding the purchase of wearable radiation detectors for police officers. The agency regularly meets with the regions to check in and help address specific issues with this program. However, the agency hasn’t clearly communicated to the regions how it plans to measure performance and progress. Read More
Return-to-Office Mandates: How to Lose Your Best Performers
(MIT Sloan Management Review) Recent return-to-office (RTO) mandates like those at UPS and Boeing have a simple message: Come back to the office five days a week. CEOs cite productivity as a core reason for these proclamations, even in the face of employee resistance. Many executives simply don’t trust that employees are as effective as possible when managers can’t see them at their desks. But in a world of globally distributed teams, falling back on management-through-monitoring is falling back on the weakest form of management — and one that drives down employee engagement. Read More
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