All articles tagged with #government technology
The Trump administration launched a new government chatbot and hosted a high-profile event to promote AI as a driver of a national 'golden age,' directly countering recent public fears about AI safety. While the White House emphasized innovation and efficiency, critics and some tech leaders warned of significant risks, creating a sharp divide in how the technology is framed.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a memorandum requiring federal agencies to adopt Login.gov as the primary authentication method for public-facing services. This move aims to eliminate fragmented identity systems, reduce costs, and improve security. Agencies have two years to comply, with specific deadlines for inventorying systems and implementing risk management reviews.
The Trump administration has launched the US Tech Force to recruit around 1,000 technologists for two-year government stints, aiming to modernize federal tech and compete in AI, involving private sector companies and addressing previous workforce reductions.
A UK government trial found that civil servants using AI tools like Microsoft Copilot saved two weeks annually by automating routine tasks, demonstrating significant productivity gains and supporting ongoing digital modernization efforts, despite some concerns about AI glitches and ethical issues.
Sahil Lavingia, founder of Gumroad, recounts his 55-day stint working as a volunteer software engineer for Elon Musk's DOGE, a government initiative, where he was tasked with identifying wasteful contracts at the VA. He was surprised by the strict rules and lack of organization within DOGE and was abruptly dismissed after discussing his work with the media. His experience highlights the challenges of modernizing large government agencies with Silicon Valley volunteers.