David Honey, deputy undersecretary of Defense for research and engineering, has announced the United States and South Korea’s recent talks to align their technological missions.

President Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol met in recent months to outline some common goals on technological innovations such as semiconductors, batteries, civil nuclear power, achievements in space and cyberspace, the Department of Defense said Thursday.

“Fully recognizing that [the] scientists, researchers and engineers of [their] countries are among the most innovative in the world, both presidents agreed to leverage this comparative advantage to enhance public and private cooperation to protect and promote critical and emerging technologies,” Honey shared.

The DOD has outlined five focus areas for technological collaboration and shared development with South Korea, all of which directly affect global supply chain security.

Artificial intelligence is the most pressing emphasis for the two countries and they plan to direct resources toward “evidence-based AI assurance and enabling operational effectiveness.”

5G wireless technology, quantum computing, biotechnology and renewable energy sources comprise the other four main thrusts of the partnership.

In a keynote address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Honey explained that the DOD plans to build off the progress made by 5G technology in order to make future discoveries in information technology, which the deputy undersecretary said “is vital to maintaining our economic and national security.”

Quantum computing, meanwhile, is poised to enable the DOD to work out analytical challenges through quantum sensors that could help create tools that eclipse GPS in positionality, navigation and timing.

Biotechnological research is expected to elicit new understandings of how to combat global pandemics and aid performance in tense logistics environments. This focus point in particular necessitates communal participation between nations.

Lastly, according to Honey, methodologies for creating and storing renewable energy are seen as of urgent importance for the DOD. Among these goals are developing more effective batteries, drawing from a wider array of energy sources and diminishing fuel transportation risks.

If completed, the latter targets will “decrease warfighter vulnerability and deliver new operational capabilities for the department,” Honey said.

The Biden administration has proposed new standards for its program to create a national network of 500,000 charging stations for electric vehicles by 2030.

The White House said Thursday the Department of Transportation teamed up with the Department of Energy to propose minimum standards and requirements to ensure that the national charging network for EVs is accessible to all U.S. citizens, interoperable between charging companies and with common payment schemes, among others.

DOT said the standards will also set workforce requirements for maintenance, operation and installation to ensure the reliability and safety of charging stations as well as support and generate highly skilled jobs across the country.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorizes $7.5 billion to build charging infrastructure for EVs through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program and competitive grant initiative.

Under the NEVI program, states will get $5 billion in formula funding to construct vehicle charging stations across highway corridors.

The law includes $2.5 billion for a competitive grant program to improve EV charging access in underserved communities, support corridor and community charging and enhance local air quality. DOT will begin accepting applications for the grant program later in 2022.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is soliciting public feedback and insights as it works on a national strategy for advancing the use of privacy-preserving data sharing and analytics tools.

OSTP issued the request for information to determine how to pursue the development and use of privacy-enhancing technologies in a way that “maximizes the benefit to individuals and society, including increasing equity for underserved or marginalized groups and promoting trust in data processing and information technologies,” according to a Federal Register notice published Thursday.

The office is seeking information on federal research opportunities that could be launched to accelerate the development and adoption of PETs; technical specifics of PETs that have implications for their development or use; and information on applications, types of analysis or specific sectors that have high potential for the adoption of such technologies.

Interested stakeholders could provide information on federal regulations or authorities that could be launched, modified or used to speed up PET development and adoption; risks related to PET adoption; and best practices that could help facilitate responsible adoption of PETs.

Responses to the RFI are due July 8th.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has handed over to the Department of Homeland Security responsibility over a program composed of more than 455 data layers that cover critical infrastructure for the U.S. and its territories in support of homeland security and defense missions.

The Homeland Security Infrastructure Program, also known as the Homeland Infrastructure Foundational Level Data, provides data layers to support incident response, preparedness and readiness efforts and recovery decision-making at the national, state and local levels, NGA said Thursday.

“This transition shall ensure program efficiencies are gained by centralizing HIFLD data procurement, creation, and dissemination; eliminate potential competing and disconnected NGA and DHS program planning cycles and allow for more successful coordination and collaboration with State and local HS/HD mission partners,” said Rexford Tugwell of NGA’s office of geography.

Since 2002, NGA has been overseeing HIFLD by procuring, reviewing and delivering data layers to support national security and defense missions. The agency’s mission partners on the program include the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Transportation, National Interagency Fire Center and North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command.

With the transition, NGA will eliminate legacy HIFLD services across its domains and cease providing HIFLD data services and content via its digital platforms.