The Fed Mission Success Round Up: IRS Digitizing All Tax Returns; Bill to Federal AI Research Resource; and GSA Changing Cloud Acquisition

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.  

IRS to Eliminate ‘Oceans’ of Paper by Digitizing All New Tax Returns by 2025 

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently said that by the 2025 filing season, the IRS will digitally process all the tax returns it receives, as well as half of all paper-based correspondence, non-tax forms and notice responses. 

Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Create a Federal AI Research Resource 

New legislation in the House and Senate would create the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), a “national research infrastructure” that would give researchers access to data and tools needed to create trustworthy artificial intelligence.  

Tech Officials Caution on Data Security in Public Sector AI Applications 

Officials from the State, Commerce and Defense departments previewed some of the AI use cases each agency is researching at a recent ATARC event, and offered caution around potential data privacy issues.   

White House Releases Strategy to Expand the U.S. Cyber Workforce 

Last week, the Biden administration unveiled its National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, which envisions introducing cybersecurity concepts in early childhood education while making advanced occupational training in cyber more accessible and affordable. 

Responsible AI Use in Support of Federal Agency Missions 

The potential benefits of AI for federal agencies are not a new conversation, but how to implement the technology so officials can achieve the gains they are looking for is worth taking time with, according to this recent NextGov Op-Ed. 

Education Department Announces Beta Test for New Loan Application Program 

The Biden administration has launched a beta test for a new application designed to support its Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE Plan — a new, income-based education loan payment plan.  

GSA Considers Changing the Way it Pays for Cloud Software  

The General Services Administration is considering changing how agencies pay for cloud-enabled software on its IT Multiple Award Schedule and is looking to industry for what kind of deals it might get.