Author Archive
Chris Teale
Digital Government
Can states’ social media laws stand up to scrutiny?
Several states have tried to regulate the space in a bid to protect young people from the worst of the platforms. But whether their plans are workable, and can withstand legal challenges, remains to be seen.
Digital Government
Surgeon general says minors’ social media use is causing parental stress
Over the past two years, states have passed dozens of laws to protect young people from the worst of the platforms. Here’s how they’ve done it.
Emerging Tech
States move to protect recording artists from AI-generated likenesses
After Tennessee passed the ELVIS Act this past winter to protect an artist’s name, image and likeness from being used by digital replicas, other states are considering similar legislation.
Management
Dems highlight state and local leaders amid looming policy battles
A bevy of leaders from city halls and state houses highlighted what lies ahead in infrastructure, abortion and other areas during this week’s Democratic National Convention.
Emerging Tech
Does California's AI bill go too far or fall short? It depends who you ask.
The legislation requires developers of large AI systems to test if they can be used in various extreme scenarios. It has support as well as plenty of detractors in the state’s large tech community.
Cybersecurity
How two states have spent their share of the $1B in cybersecurity grants
With little precedent for such a big federal investment in cybersecurity, states have largely had to write their own playbooks on how to distribute the funds to local governments.
Infrastructure
Cars that talk: Feds announce plan to accelerate connected vehicle deployment
The U.S. Department of Transportation aims to have vehicle-to-everything tech deployed nationwide by 2036, and said it will offer grants and support to help states get there.
Cybersecurity
How the nation’s largest school system keeps students safe
By thinking of physical and digital safety as the same, the New York City schools are preparing their systems for ever-evolving technologies.
Infrastructure
In states that banned ‘Zuckerbucks,’ election offices remain underfunded
Recent research found that most states that have banned private election donations have not made up any resulting shortfall in funding. Meanwhile, Congress is bickering over providing money.
Infrastructure
To build trust in elections, focus on the ground level, state leaders say
Elections officials need to get their message out locally amid heightened scrutiny, especially as AI-driven misinformation threatens trust in elections.
Infrastructure
‘Internet to go’ programs get a boost
The FCC recently voted to allow schools and libraries to use federal funds to support Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs, which caught fire during the pandemic. The efforts are viewed by some as a small, but critical, way to help close the digital divide.
Featured eBooks
Cybersecurity
Texas’ $1.4B settlement with Meta highlights the need for data privacy protections, experts say
Attorney General Ken Paxton secured an eye-watering sum for Facebook’s alleged misuse of facial recognition tech. But observers argue that states need to go further and put more teeth in privacy laws.
Cybersecurity
Using ‘mindfulness’ to train employees against cyberattacks
Ohio has launched a cyber range that promises a different curriculum for state and local employees than the standard, once-a-year cyber training most public employees get.
Infrastructure
Could an extension of the federal broadband subsidy be close?
A Senate committee advanced a $7 billion funding vehicle for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which expired at the end of May.
Emerging Tech
Policymakers move to get ahead of deepfake political ads
Several states already require that AI’s use in elections and campaigns be disclosed, but adoption is not universal. With the election on the horizon, efforts have increased to make sure voters can identify AI-generated content.
Workforce
Looking for tech talent? Broaden your search, experts say
As governments struggle to close the IT skills gap, one state’s cybersecurity program stands out for who it is encouraging to participate.
Emerging Tech
How one state is using technology to curb high pedestrian fatality rates
Texas has the second highest pedestrian fatality rates in the country. It is looking beyond just physical infrastructure to curb traffic deaths in the state.
Finance
Unemployment insurance fraud during the pandemic cost states $135B—and counting
Fraudsters are still finding ways to collect on claims. But there are two crucial ways to get the problem under control, experts say.
Infrastructure
How mapping tech is revolutionizing election administration
Few jurisdictions make use of geographic information system mapping, but those that do use it to help connect voters with polling places, manage requests and assets, and tabulate results.
Workforce
What is generative AI? Most of the public sector workforce doesn’t know
A recent survey found that only about a third understands the technology, and that even fewer use it daily. But a few basic approaches could change that, experts say.
