U.S. Trade in Services: Trends and Policy Issues

whitePaper | December 27, 2021

Government Financial & Operational Management Special Report Identifying the challenges that face your governmental entity is oftentimes the first step in helping position your government for future success. Are you able to balance the needs of your community while efficiently managing and reporting on the services you’re charged with providing?

whitePaper | March 3, 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems have raised concerns in the public—some speculative and some based in contemporary experience. Some of these concerns overlap with concerns about privacy of data, some relate to the effectiveness of AI systems and some relate to the possibility of the misapplication of the technology. At the same time, the development of AI technology is seen as a matter of national priority, and fears of losing the “AI technology race” fuel national efforts to support its development.

whitePaper | January 29, 2020

Individual government contractors face more rigorous scrutiny, as private companies can monitor employee’s social media as part of their continuous vetting and insider threat protocols. However, despite the existence of a directive permitting them to do so, government agencies do not monitor their employees’ social media. Our interviews found this is due to a lack of clear guidance on how to implement the existing directives and security policies. This shortcoming can be remedied by government agencies agreeing upon a single common standard regarding the use of publicly available electronic information, specifically social media, for personnel security and insider threat purposes. The DNI, as Security Executive Agent for the government, must then develop guidelines for the implementation of this standard throughout the sector.

whitePaper | December 19, 2019

The U.S. labor market is the strongest it has been in the last half century, as shown by economic data across various metrics. This is partly attributable to President Trump’s progrowth economic policies, the results of which are disproportionately benefiting Americans who were previously left behind. The Administration’s policies are boosting labor demand and lowering structural barriers to entering the labor market. This report provides evidence that this labor market has contributed to reduced inequality through an economic boom that is greatly benefiting historically disadvantaged groups. These groups are becoming more and more self-reliant through their economic activity, rather than remaining inactive in the labor market to qualify for means-tested government programs.

whitePaper | December 12, 2019

Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere — or so it seems. From navigation apps that automatically reroute us when our usual highway is clogged with traffic to banking websites that pre-approve mortgages seconds after we submit a short application, AI is expanding into our personal and professional lives more every day. Eyeing this trend, state CIOs understand AI is also likely to play an important role in modernizing the delivery of citizen services and furthering government modernization efforts. The question is, how do they separate the potential from the hype for one of today’s hottest technologies?

whitePaper | January 21, 2020

When America’s Founders wrote the Constitution, they laid out a clear vision for the United States Government: to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty. Moreover, they established Executive Branch organizations and structures to deliver on the Federal mission in ways appropriate to America’s needs at the time. Over successive generations, our Federal Government has evolved by expanding in scope and complexity to try to meet Americans’ needs. However, the organizational structures that underpin the Executive Branch have not always kept pace.