The Fed Mission Success Round Up: Contractors Brace for Potential Shutdown; White House Previews AI Executive Order; and DHS Names Eric Hysen Chief AI Officer

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.  

Brace for Potential Government Shutdown, Federal Contractor Group Warns 

A leading industry advocacy group for government technology and professional services recently expressed a high level of concern about a looming potential government shutdown and urged federal contractors to prepare for disruptions and financial challenges. 

White House Previews AI Executive Order 

Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger recently previewed the Biden administration’s forthcoming efforts to apply regulations and oversight to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, including a pending executive order and more international partnerships. 

Nation-State Actors Exploiting AI for Discord and Attacks, DHS Warns 

A recent Department of Homeland Security report warns nation-state actors and cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging new cyber tools like generative AI to sow discord in the U.S., exploit vulnerabilities and attack critical infrastructure sectors. 

Federal Customer Experience Improvements ‘Are the Love Language of Democracy,’ OMB Official Says 

The government’s incremental improvements to deliver high-impact services in may not appear as seismic shifts, but they are adding up and resulting in a government that citizens can count on, according to a top Office of Management and Budget. 

FDA's Draft Plan Calls for AI, Other Emerging Tech in Modernization Efforts 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is accepting comments on its Data and Technology Strategic Plan, which outlines the agency’s goals to leverage AI in its analytical processes.  

DHS Names Eric Hysen Chief AI Officer, Announces New Policies for AI Acquisition and Facial Recognition 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released new policies regarding the acquisition and use of artificial intelligence and named its first chief AI officer to help champion the department’s responsible adoption of AI.