The digital tools cities and states need to meet their environmental commitments
COMMENTARY | Governments have the tough job of figuring out how they will go about gathering, managing, analyzing and accurately reporting all their emission data. Here are six tools that will help do that.
How one city broke down its data silos
Tacoma, Washington, is using the cloud to bridge information silos across its 25 distinct departments and improve reporting.
US agencies buy vast quantities of personal information on the open market
COMMENTARY | The government faces legal restrictions on how much personal information it can gather on citizens, but the law is largely silent on agencies purchasing the data from commercial brokers.
State expands streamlined, automated licensing
Wisconsin’s successful migration of its occupational licensing system to the cloud now includes business licenses.
Chatbots can be used to create manipulative content
COMMENTARY | Artificial intelligence could be used to generate content intended to manipulate people. Addressing this problem means understanding how communication works to influence people.
Lawmakers concerned White House will let TikTok stay in the US
Two Republican lawmakers warned that tweaked language in a new Commerce Department rule could lay the groundwork for TikTok’s proposal to store U.S. users’ data in the country.
Digital literacy, not bans, should shape states' approach to social media
Protecting children from harmful content is important, but states should help young people understand the platforms’ risks and make informed decisions about what to view, experts say.
Outdated flood data could drown out actual infrastructure needs
Historical data fails to capture current flooding conditions, which could steer communities in the wrong direction when trying to plan and recover from weather events.
Boston looks to boost employee productivity with generative AI guidance
The city’s chief information officer said the effort, among the first in the nation, is designed to encourage workers to “experiment responsibly” with the technology.
Most government software stinks. Here’s what you can do about it.
COMMENTARY | When IT systems align to their end users’ day-to-day processes, tasks and needs, agencies can increase productivity while more than making up for any marginal cost differences.
Another state signals its intent to leave the voter data system
Kentucky will remain with the Electronic Registration Information Center for at least another year. But now that nearly a quarter of the group's members have left or are planning to leave, the state's secretary of state says Kentucky could be paying more for less information.
Legacy tech could undermine 'zero trust' push
As agencies move toward more secure infrastructures, managing legacy systems that are unprepared for today’s cybersecurity challenges could slow their progress.
Louisiana bans TikTok on state networks and devices. Will it make any difference?
The law does little to protect state-owned devices and personal data, cybersecurity experts say.
Generative AI raises bias, privacy concerns
While ChatGPT presents big opportunities for efficiency, agencies must ensure they use it—and regulate it—properly, an expert advises.
How a data-centric approach can lift agencies above the cybersecurity poverty line
COMMENTARY | By focusing protection where it’s most needed, agencies can more easily share data and create targeted, efficient and effective cybersecurity.
We’re going to Miami. Join us to learn what’s new in state and local technology.
Our annual Tech Summit is June 26-27. Come hear how local leaders from across the country are using technology to address the biggest issues facing communities.
When homes flood, who retreats and to where?
COMMENTARY | Two disaster response experts mapped thousands of FEMA buyouts and found distance and race play a role.
AI could shore up democracy—Here’s one way
COMMENTARY | Public comment could soon swamp government officials and representatives, thanks to AI, but AI could also help spot compelling stories from constituents.
Passwordless security gains ground
Government mandates on passwords and shifting authentication policy could accelerate the adoption of smartphone-enabled passkeys.
Animal movement powers new GPS wildlife tracker
COMMENTARY | Instead of batteries, the device is powered by an animal's movements and can provide long-term location and health data for researchers.
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