Emerging Tech
Governments lag other sectors in adopting AI in contact centers, report says
The public sector is far behind the healthcare and retail sectors in using the technology to answer questions and provide users with next steps. But it can gain on its private peers.
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Eliminate Manual Processes Route and Approve Invoices from Anywhere
Today’s finance teams carry a heavy burden, supporting everything from growth strategies to long-term planning – all while continuously delivering monthly and quarterly numbers and keeping cash flowing. But even as demands on finance departments grow, many still spend excessive time using paper, spreadsheets, and e-mails to process vendor invoices, approvals, and payments.
House AI Task Force recommends sector-specific regs in final report
The document aims to balance keeping the U.S. competitive in AI innovation and adoption while mitigating negative outcomes.
Drone sighting epidemic spurs Dems in Congress to urge more transparency from feds
Unexplained drone sightings in New Jersey and New York have raised concerns across the Northeast. Some lawmakers are demanding more information from federal agencies.
AI tools and student data: Teachers can endanger kids’ privacy without robust training
Artificial intelligence is helping teachers save time. But popular AI platforms can also significantly endanger student privacy. The risks are prompting school districts and others to respond.
Cross-state partnership looks to boost drone use and research
The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced this week it would partner with North Dakota to build its own testing site and figure out potential uses for the technology.
Can you improve indoor air quality? These Utahns let sensors track their every move
Reaching for Air: Four Utahns installed sensors built by Columbia University’s Brown Institute in their homes. Here’s what they found.
College students ‘cautiously curious’ about AI, despite mixed messages from schools, employers
Some professors at first took a hard line against AI when ChatGPT was introduced in 2022, but students say schools have softened their stands as the usefulness – and career potential – of the technology has become clearer.
States are using tech to wipe criminal records clean automatically
Twelve states now have fully automatic criminal records clearance policies, with more set to follow. Artificial intelligence and other tech can help speed up what has previously been an onerous and expensive process.
Local governments are using AI without clear rules or policies, and the public has no idea
COMMENTARY | A global study found only 16% of local governments using AI systems had public facing policies about what they were doing.
How Maryland is expanding the use of mobile IDs
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration has developed an app for organizations to verify people’s digital licenses that other jurisdictions can adopt.
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Lawmakers, advocates talk maternal health, AI, gun violence and more at Lexington conference
Several Kentucky lawmakers told dozens of health advocates Tuesday they plan to introduce a variety of bills in 2025 to collect gun violence data, restore abortion access, regulate artificial intelligence and more.
Philadelphia wants to be a national AI in education model
Beginning in March 2025, the district in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania plans to roll out a new pilot program for AI professional development.
Artificial intelligence study committee considers potential recommendations to lawmakers
The committee is the latest effort as Wisconsin government and business leaders attempt to confront use of and ongoing advancements of AI technology.
Misinformation expert used AI to draft testimony containing misinformation about AI
Stanford’s Jeff Hancock submitted the document as an expert declaration in a case involving a new Minnesota law that makes it illegal to use AI to mislead voters prior to an election.
The apocalypse that wasn’t: AI was everywhere in 2024’s elections, but deepfakes and misinformation were only part of the picture
COMMENTARY | Like it or not, AI is now part and parcel of elections, from helping with mundane campaign functions to enabling politicians to speak to constituents in multiple languages at once.
Less than half of local IT leaders not ready for AI, survey says
A recent survey of state and local executives found that 38% feel their agencies are not ready to use AI, although more than half are developing policies to govern its use.
Judge rebuffs family’s bid to change grade in AI cheating case
Preliminary federal court ruling says school rightly imposed discipline over academic integrity rules.
New York's MTA considers flying drones to keep watch over buses
The transit agency is so far just seeking “information” about the possibility of using flying vehicles to “manage and oversee its bus operations” but union officials balk at the idea of replacing humans on the ground.
Under pressure from the SCC, Dominion reveals the true cost of data centers
COMMENTARY | With state leaders avidly chasing more data centers in the name of economic development, ordinary Virginians are left to watch the assault on their energy supply, their water and their environment.
How drones are helping one community recover from Hurricane Helene
In South Carolina, drones are playing a key role in disaster assessment for the city of Aiken to more efficiently and accurately apply for federal recovery funds.
