The VA eyes ‘aggressive deployment’ of AI; More than 100 cybersecurity experts urge senators to confirm Pentagon CIO

A key technology leader at the Department of Veterans Affairs told lawmakers Monday that the agency intends to “capitalize” on artificial intelligence to help overcome its persistent difficulties in providing timely care and maintaining cost-effective operations. At the same time, a federal watchdog warned the same lawmakers that the VA could face challenges before the agency can effectively do so. Lawmakers on the House VA subcommittee on technology modernization pressed Charles Worthington, the VA’s chief data officer and chief technology officer, over the agency’s plans to deploy AI across its dozens of facilities as the federal government increasingly turns to automation technology. Worthington told the subcommittee that all VA employees now have access to a secure, generative AI tool to assist them with their work, claiming that it’s saving them over two hours per week. He also outlined how the agency is utilizing machine learning in agency workflows, as well as in clinical care for earlier disease detection and ambient listening tools that are expected to be rolled out at some facilities later this year. The technology can also be used to identify veterans who may be at high risk of overdose and suicide, Worthington added. A slew of cybersecurity experts from industry and other organizations sent a letter to lawmakers Monday urging them to move swiftly to confirm Kirsten Davies as Department of Defense chief information officer. The letter, addressed to members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and viewed by DefenseScoop, includes more than 100 signatories. President Donald Trump nominated Davies for the role back in May, but the SASC waited until this week to hold her confirmation hearing, which is scheduled for Thursday. The cybersecurity experts who penned the new letter expressed their “strongest support” for the nominee. In the letter they wrote: “Ms. Davies is a leader we know personally and professionally. Many of us have collaborated with her, witnessed her steady hand in high-stakes situations, and observed her ability to lead with both conviction and humility. She has built a reputation as a world-class cybersecurity executive who can earn trust, build teams, and navigate complexity.” The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.