A group of tech-savvy former US government officials, led by Mikey Dickerson, the first leader of the United States Digital Service (USDS), has launched a new initiative aimed at rebooting how the US delivers services to its citizens. Dubbed "Tech Viaduct," this effort seeks to create a comprehensive plan to modernize government services, tackle issues like data siloing and corruption, and promote transparency and accountability.
Dickerson, who was ousted from his role as USDS administrator by President Donald Trump, is now spearheading the project alongside other high-profile figures, including Denis McDonough, former Obama chief of staff; Alexander Macgillivray, Biden's deputy CTO; Marina Nitze, former CTO of the VA; and Robby Mook, Hillary Clinton campaign manager.
The team aims to produce a master plan that will guide the development of government services, establishing an unbiased procurement process, creating a merit-based hiring system, and ensuring oversight to prevent bureaucratic missteps. They also hope to devise and test a framework for implementation by 2029, with the goal of seeing their vision take shape under a Democratic administration.
However, the project's success relies heavily on the outcome of the 2028 presidential election and the willingness of the new administration to adopt their plan. Dickerson acknowledges that there are risks involved but believes that if an opportunity arises, they must be prepared to seize it.
One potential hurdle is reversing the damage caused by Trump's "DOGE" initiative, which aimed to dismantle government agencies under the guise of eliminating fraud. The team recognizes that this will take time and effort, particularly in addressing data siloing issues.
Overall, Tech Viaduct represents a bold attempt to revitalize government services, leveraging technology to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Whether their efforts will succeed remains to be seen, but their dedication to creating positive change is undeniable.
Dickerson, who was ousted from his role as USDS administrator by President Donald Trump, is now spearheading the project alongside other high-profile figures, including Denis McDonough, former Obama chief of staff; Alexander Macgillivray, Biden's deputy CTO; Marina Nitze, former CTO of the VA; and Robby Mook, Hillary Clinton campaign manager.
The team aims to produce a master plan that will guide the development of government services, establishing an unbiased procurement process, creating a merit-based hiring system, and ensuring oversight to prevent bureaucratic missteps. They also hope to devise and test a framework for implementation by 2029, with the goal of seeing their vision take shape under a Democratic administration.
However, the project's success relies heavily on the outcome of the 2028 presidential election and the willingness of the new administration to adopt their plan. Dickerson acknowledges that there are risks involved but believes that if an opportunity arises, they must be prepared to seize it.
One potential hurdle is reversing the damage caused by Trump's "DOGE" initiative, which aimed to dismantle government agencies under the guise of eliminating fraud. The team recognizes that this will take time and effort, particularly in addressing data siloing issues.
Overall, Tech Viaduct represents a bold attempt to revitalize government services, leveraging technology to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Whether their efforts will succeed remains to be seen, but their dedication to creating positive change is undeniable.