Welcome to Your Daily Tech Update – Tuesday, July 14
Hello and welcome! Here’s your quick round-up of essential federal tech news from our newsroom.
Shifts in Federal IT Discussed at Event
Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who participated in the Shift Happens event today. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore major changes in federal IT. One notable speaker, Jessie Posilkin, who is the acting executive director of the GSA’s Technology Modernization Fund (TMF), emphasized that agencies seeking funding need to showcase how these resources will enhance their mission delivery. She stated, “The biggest gap is looking at outcomes.” Posilkin stressed that projects purely describing technology without showing expected results won’t gain traction. This advice comes as TMF is hurrying to evaluate proposals related to generative AI and permitting changes before their funding powers expire on September 30. Agencies must submit their initial proposals by July 24, and Posilkin encouraged “short delivery sprints” with monthly updates to help improve citizens’ and employees’ experiences.
Ongoing AI Risks Highlighted
In another discussion, Bill English, the CIO and chief AI officer at the GSA Office of Inspector General, underlined the critical need for ongoing AI risk management. He pointed out that as technology evolves, so do the risks and threats. “You can’t rely solely on annual reviews for security assessments,” English said. He urged agencies to be proactive in low-risk areas while being cautious with high-impact systems that involve the public. English also discussed practical uses of AI, such as case file summarization and procurement assistance. He reminded attendees that while the excitement around AI is high, human judgment is still crucial in its application.
Generative AI in the Defense Sector
Turning to the Department of Defense (DOD), Maj. Christopher Clark shared insights about GenAI.mil, the department’s new generative AI platform. For it to thrive, strong technology isn’t enough; there’s a need for training, leadership, and relevant use cases. He noted that users are at different comfort levels with the platform, making education vital. Since its launch in late 2025, GenAI.mil has onboarded 1.5 million users, developing over 100,000 task-specific agents. Leaders should connect this platform with everyday work tasks while ensuring human judgment remains a key factor.
Commerce Department Grants Major Funding
In a separate development, the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded $225 million to Bosch semiconductors and sensors to boost production of silicon carbide semiconductors at their facility in California. Bosch plans to invest $7.5 billion in U.S. operations over the next five years, with around $2 billion allocated for expanding and modernizing the Roseville site. Production is already underway, with commercial operations expected to start this year. This facility will be Bosch’s first semiconductor plant in the U.S. and is seen as vital for enhancing the country’s chip production capabilities.
That’s your tech update for today! Stay tuned for more news tomorrow. In the meantime, keep an eye on our website for the latest developments in government IT, progress, and policies.
And feel free to share any tips or thoughts by reaching out to newsstaff@meritalk.com.
