The Fed Mission Success Round Up: AI Executive Order’s 180-Day Deadline; IRS Considers Future of Direct File Pilot; and NIST Launches GenAI Evaluation Program
Welcome to the Fed Mission Success News Round Up brought to you by Makpar. Each week, we will provide a summary of actionable news and insights to help aid in overall mission success for Federal agency IT decision-makers and influencers.
Five Takeaways from the AI Executive Order’s 180-Day Deadline
AI talent recruiting is surging, while DoE, USDA, DoL and other agencies issue new AI-related guidance, are some of the key takeaways from the 180-day deadline for agencies to report progress.
IRS Considers Future of Direct File Pilot
The IRS hasn’t made a decision about whether it will field its Direct File platform long-term, but the tax agency is touting positive user ratings for the tool, which offered Americans with simple tax situations in 12 states a way to file their federal taxes online with the IRS for free.
NIST Launches GenAI Evaluation Program, Releases Draft Publications on AI Risks and Standards
The National Institute of Standards and Technology announced a new program to evaluate generative AI and released several draft documents on the use of the technology Monday, as the government hit a milestone on President Joe Biden’s AI executive order.
GSA Releases Generative AI Resource Guide for Federal Purchasers
Last week, the General Services Administration released a resource guide for federal purchasers looking to buy generative artificial intelligence solutions and related computing infrastructure, completing a requirement in the White House’s October AI executive order.
NARA Bans Use of ChatGPT on Agency Networks
The National Archives and Records Administration has become the latest federal agency to bar its employees from using ChatGPT for work purposes, citing “unacceptable risk” to the agency’s data.
Here’s How the Government’s AI And Tech Hiring Surge is Going So Far
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.
Agencies Awarded Record-Breaking $179B to Small Businesses in FY23
Small businesses received a record-breaking total of federal contracting dollars in fiscal year 2023, with more than 28% of government contract spending going to smaller companies, according to recent data released by the Biden administration.