National Science Foundation

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday expanding his administration’s efforts to foster research and development of artificial intelligence tools.

The Office of Personnel Management has also answered additional questions about the status of federal employee probationary periods, career ladder promotions and other human resources questions after the government shutdown.

While agency IT officials recognize the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act and OPEN Government Data Act present opportunities to get more value out of their data, they also see challenges in preparing the workforce to manage all that data.

The National Science Foundation is looking to build a “market” for technology aimed at lowering the barriers for federal employees today to get the jobs of the future.

The White House’s task force on artificial intelligence expects to release this spring an updated version of the AI research and development (R&D) plan the Obama administration launched two years ago.

GSA’s Rob Coen took on a new role as OASIS program manager, while HUD’s Chad Cowan is the new acting assistant secretary for administration.

Faced with several long-term inspector general vacancies at key agencies, the number-two official of the IG community says the Trump administration has begun vetting candidates to fill those watchdog jobs.

NSF will use robotics process automation to improve its intergovernmental transactions, while Interior will apply bots to improve its electronic invoice processing.

Safeguarding intellectual property remains a principal mission of the federal government.

NSF is accepting public feedback on its new rule to limit grant funding to institutions failing to thoroughly investigate sexual harassment until May 4.