Digital Government
School smartphone bans reflect growing concern over youth mental health and academic performance
COMMENTARY | Across the US, parents are leading the charge to limit cellphone use in schools.
Artificial Intelligence
AI ‘detective’ sheds light on how people make decisions
A new study deploys small neural networks to clarify how and why people make the decisions they make.
People
Fraud-fighting oversight committee gets a life extension in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee was set to sunset in September, but now has life through 2034.
Sponsor Content
Uncovering the true state of digital government
Government agencies are accelerating digital transformation to improve services, engagement, and operations—but challenges in capacity and access remain.
Digital Government
State DOGEs tackle local spending, property taxes
Florida’s has asked for line-by-line accounting of its local governments’ spending and any evidence of financial distress. Iowa appears to be targeting local taxation.
Artificial Intelligence
The AI therapist will see you now: Can chatbots really improve mental health?
COMMENTARY | Mental health chatbots promise therapy at your fingertips, but can AI ease anxiety and depression, or are we confusing conversation with care?
Artificial Intelligence
Idaho preps to roll out artificial intelligence in state government
Idaho’s Office of Information Technology is preparing to share guidance on using AI with state agencies.
Artificial Intelligence
Pennsylvania is a Top 3 state for government AI readiness
A new analysis from Code For America says the commonwealth’s proactive approach to AI “positions it as a leader in responsible AI adoption and innovation.”
Digital Government
Texas age verification decision could create a First Amendment ‘pornography exception,’ experts worry
The Supreme Court ruled the state could require users to verify their age before visiting porn sites. Some are concerned about the future of the internet and free speech.
Artificial Intelligence
National AI training hub for educators to open, funded by OpenAI and Microsoft
The $23 million partnership aims to close gaps in technology use. Tech companies also will gain a “wealth of information” about how to adapt their products to the classroom.
Artificial Intelligence
California's fire protection agency made an AI chatbot. Don't ask it about evacuation orders
The bot fails at some basic questions about fires. Cal Fire says it is working on fixes.
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Cybersecurity
Cyber resilience for state and local governments: Where to start
COMMENTARY | Governments already have the tools, while zero trust and hardware security strategies turn existing resources into stronger defenses.
Sponsor Content
Generative AI in the Public Sector: 5 Ways Agencies Can Do More with Less
Generative AI is streamlining public sector legal work, boosting accuracy, speed, and efficiency across key workflows.
Cybersecurity
New York cyber law strengths local reporting requirements
Local governments that are hacked now have 72 hours to tell the state, and 24 hours to disclose if they paid a ransom. The new law also mandates cyber training and sets data protection standards.
Digital Government
How slashing university research grants impacts Colorado’s economy and national innovation
Federal funding cuts in the billions have impacted dozens of universities in the US. An administrator at the University of Colorado at Boulder explains the local effects.
Digital Government
After last Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan fell short, new proposal aims to be flexible, data-driven
Draft released last week still a work in progress; advocates worry it leaves too much open-ended, as cuts to federal programs loom.
Artificial Intelligence
911 looks to AI to filter out non-emergency calls
The technology is helping answer non-emergency calls and otherwise free up dispatchers to focus on true emergencies that they otherwise would have needed to forward along.
Artificial Intelligence
AI moratorium could return despite removal from ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’
Senators passed an amendment removing the provision that would have prevented states regulating the tech for 10 years. But some experts warn that a repeat effort is likely and could be successful.
Digital Government
Lawmakers call for probe of Oklahoma incubator program amid data collection concerns
Two Republican lawmakers want to probe the long-term effectiveness of a state program designed to nurture new small businesses.
Digital Government
Trump’s 'big, beautiful bill' directs Treasury to find a replacement for Direct File
The IRS debuted Direct File — which enabled taxpayers to file online with the agency for free — as a pilot in 2024 and it received largely positive reviews from those that used it.
Artificial Intelligence
AI as the power beast — can we tame it?
COMMENTARY | Companies are pledging to spend billions of dollars on data centers to deal with the increased compute power. But it will strain resources, and other questions remain.
