Eye on Policy

The more potential user organizations learn about artificial intelligence, the more they realize the importance of traditional, so-called “deterministic” software.

Deterministic simply means that for a given set of inputs, logic will produce the same results with 100% reliability. That is the way users expect software to operate. If, say, someone must submit six pieces of information to receive something such as a card or a campsite reservation, a deterministic program will greenlight all applications that meet the six criteria, or redlight those that meet five or fewer.

Six hundred years ago, Henry VIII broke from Pope Clement VII. Today, when it comes to artificial intelligence at least, latter-day King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV share many ideas, including the idea that AI systems must be governed in such a way as to protect humanity. Last month, Charles hosted a sort of summit of AI leaders from industry. But he also included the Pope’s AI advisor, Fr. Paolo Benanti. When kings and popes have AI advisors, you know something big is going on.

The end-of-year buying season is always a bit chaotic, but the remaining month promises to be particularly tough on government buyers and contractors alike. Congress did manage to remove one bit of uncertainty by passing continuing resolutions, so the government will not lurch on September 30. But the two bills do not agree with the House extending current budget levels of December 4 and the Senate to December 11. Still, the bills make it less likely government employees will be occupied with shut-down planning.

Congress has always managed to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the end of the calendar year. Policy watchers point to that as an example of congressional success, like a rose popping up in a weed patch, even if it does occur three months into the fiscal year to which the NDAA applies.

As the federal government heads into the crucial fourth quarter buying season, the emergent theme centers on numbers of suppliers – growing in some domains, shrinking in others. SBA moves to end “abuse” of the 8(a) program. If you want to understand a sea change in the small business set aside program for federal contracting, get to know the phrase “rebuttable presumption.”

“What the blankety-blank are we doing?” That’s a typical (and real) reaction of contractors and federal procurement camp followers when it comes to the April 30 executive order about contracting. The move takes the longstanding preference for fixed price contracts into new territory.