In this issue of Velocity, we examine broad trends in society and around the world, provide insights and stories from mission environments where the paradigm is shifting, and analyze technical opportunities and challenges that are emerging in the public sector.

We explore the theme of trust.

Trust provides the foundation for the complex interactions that tie people and organizations together, cementing the bonds and collaborations that make progress possible. For the federal government, an erosion of trust limits the ability to deliver meaningful public services, carry out transformational missions, and sustain democratic values. For the nation to flourish, emerging technologies must be applied with purpose and care so that organizations continuously evaluate modernization through the lens of trust, from Web3 to post-quantum cryptography. Read on to find out why innovation today is all about investing in a future of trust in digital society. 

We track real-world mission advances happening today.

The technology tools that delivered advantage yesterday need refinement and expansion to avoid obsolescence. And with the rapid pace of technological change, there’s less time than ever for organizations to vet, adopt, and operationalize new mission capabilities. As new opportunities emerge within the federal government, what do mission leaders need to know about accessing the startup community to find emerging technology they can trust? What lessons have agencies across sectors learned about how to get the most from technology investments even as missions evolve? Explore Velocity’s in-depth articles for more mission-specific analysis. 

We dissect technology’s present state to see its future more clearly.

Today, government faces the challenge of ensuring that it can tap into a thriving, robust technology ecosystem at a moment’s notice. Mission innovation must always be at the fingertips of agency leaders—with technologies that are fully realized, transformative, and ready for seamless adoption. To deliver on this promise, agencies should explore use cases in areas like quantum computing, digital twins, and the Metaverse. Meanwhile, traditional and non-traditional innovation partners need to collaborate differently to accelerate agency transformation and support the nation’s most critical systems—for enhanced service to the public and for continued advantage on the global stage. In Velocity, experts on the front lines provide technical analysis and insights for federal leaders and for the partners helping to reimagine society.

We invite you to join the conversation and receive ongoing communications as our experts continue to explore the issues in this year's Velocity. We know your inbox is crowded, so we'll be sure to send timely, informative, and new insights.