Artificial Intelligence
Virginia lawmakers weigh risks and rewards of AI chatbots
As chatbots become study aids, companions, and even mental health supports, legislators grapple with how to regulate a fast-moving technology.
Digital Government
The National Suicide Hotline for LGBTQ+ youth went dead. States are scrambling to help.
Advocates say mental health issues are rising in that population amid hostility from the Trump administration.
Artificial Intelligence
Beyond chatbots: How agentic AI can transform government services
COMMENTARY | The technology holds much promise for the public sector and could revolutionize how employees work. But it must be approached with caution.
Sponsor Content
The H.R. 1 Provision States Can’t Afford to Sleep On
A new federal fund offers states an opportunity to transform rural healthcare. Some states are already showing the way forward.
Digital Government
How Maryland is approaching statewide IT modernization
The state released an IT master plan that aims to innovate how state employees approach emerging technologies and how services are delivered to residents.
Digital Government
Innovative mapping tool reveals hidden wetlands and enhances conservation efforts
An AI-powered model aids states and countries in planning and restoration priorities.
Management
From a cell phone ban to Ten Commandments posters, new state laws bring big changes to Texas schools
Lawmakers also approved new teacher raises, banned DEI initiatives and gave schools more flexibility to discipline students.
Management
Data-driven early intervention strategies could revolutionize Philly’s approach to crime prevention
COMMENTARY | The biggest hurdle to developing cost-effective policies that reduce youth violence is the lack of coordinated, cross-agency use of data.
Artificial Intelligence
State officials should use ‘safety goggles’ when implementing AI, Minnesota official says
As state legislators interested in AI expands, so too should their efforts to establish guardrails and policies that ensure the tech’s responsible use.
Artificial Intelligence
Could AI prevent teacher burnout?
Some educators are using AI to streamline lesson plans, personalize learning and reduce burnout, freeing up hours for themselves and their students.
Digital Government
Attorneys general call on Meta to place privacy limits on new Instagram location feature
The app's new feature quickly faced backlash from privacy advocates who warn against sharing highly personal data with an intermediary like Meta.
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Digital Government
Trump wants states to feed voter info into powerful citizenship data program
Republicans are laser-focused on purging noncitizens from voter rolls.
Sponsor Content
Playbook: Rethinking Sustainable Investment to Create Economic Development
Economic Development: The Key to a Sustainable and Resilient Municipality
Emerging Tech
Florida enlists robot bunnies to manage invasive pythons
To track down and remove invasive Burmese pythons, the South Florida Water Management District is turning to toy rabbits to bait the snakes.
Digital Government
Idaho attorney general joins multi-state crackdown on illegal robocalls
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador said his office is joining a multistate effort to crack down on illegal robocalls nationally.
Management
‘A fear pandemic’: Immigration raids push patients into telehealth
With intensified immigration enforcement in California, community clinics serving Latino and immigrant populations say they’ve noticed an increase in telehealth usage.
Artificial Intelligence
Teachers lean on AI to help English learners as Trump pushes schools to integrate the technology
Teachers are embracing AI tools to translate texts and create engaging language acquisition activities for English learners. But federal funding cuts could complicate that work.
Finance
States have been ‘at the forefront’ of efforts to regulate cryptocurrency, experts say
As the cryptocurrency industry expands, lawmakers are exploring how to support innovation responsibly at the state and federal levels.
Management
West Virginia likely to work with Trump administration on SNAP data request
Gov. Patrick Morrisey said he’s inclined to comply with a request from the Trump administration to supply personal data for SNAP recipients.
Artificial Intelligence
Bills banning deepfake pornography return to the Michigan Senate floor
House Bills 4047 and 4048 would allow individuals to take civil action over the non-consensual creation of deepfake pornography.
Artificial Intelligence
With more self-driving cars on the road, states put more rules in place
Lawmakers in 25 states introduced 67 bills related to autonomous vehicles this year.
