Artificial Intelligence
How preemption worsens the AI accountability gap
COMMENTARY | The federal government wants to stop states regulating the technology, but doing so risks various harms and does not guarantee international leadership.
California tax revenue getting a boost from AI boom — but for how long?
As talk of a possible AI bubble grows, so does uncertainty around an important source of California tax money.
The data center rush in Appalachia
Big tech eyes coal country as AI demand soars, but rural communities push back.
Leaders have ‘urgent responsibility’ on AI regulation and use, report says
The New Deal Forum lauded several state and local governments for embracing the technology to help improve government services. But areas like privacy, security and regulation need more attention, the group said.
2026 is set to be the year of agentic AI, industry predicts
Leaders from major technology companies said their clients are asking for more specific agentic AI solutions, and cloud computing and data transformation will pave the way.
AI’s elections impact likely to grow next year, report warns
Experts warned that 2025 was just the “tip of the iceberg” in how the technology could be used, especially in deepfakes and misinformation campaigns.
An AI tool built by local government, for local government
Washoe County, Nevada, is helping develop an AI tool aimed at meeting the unique needs and demands of its residents and employees.
Hochul signs watered down AI regs, but New York lawmakers still got some wins
After Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed completely rewriting the bill with exact wording from a weaker California law, legislators negotiated back in measures that went beyond the West Coast version.
How an AI agent can help caseworkers maintain the ‘human relationship’ with clients
In California, Riverside County is experimenting with an AI agent that aims to help caseworkers focus more on supporting public benefit recipients and less on administrative tasks.
Texas lawmakers from both parties oppose Trump’s order targeting state AI laws
Texas’ new law regulating AI is set to take effect Jan. 1, two months after Trump’s executive order threatening to cut off some federal money if states pass “onerous” AI laws.
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How AI is helping local governments access federal grant funding
COMMENTARY | Before, employees had to sift through hundreds of pages of information and fill out unique applications. AI has made the process more streamlined and less time-consuming.
Meeting with developers, New Hampshire representatives assess AI tools, concerns
Legislators and officials could conscript AI agents to streamline their work, but such tools also carry risks and warrant regulation, employees of AI developer Anthropic said to representatives at a Dec. 15 meeting of the caucus.
New Jersey’s New Year’s resolution to tap AI for better service delivery
At a time when states are pressed to innovate their public benefit systems, the Garden State is prioritizing expanding its AI tools under a new grant program.
States will keep pushing AI laws despite Trump’s efforts to stop them
Nearly 40 states have adopted or enacted artificial intelligence measures this year, and more are expected in 2026.
Trump AI preemption order likely to face legal challenges
State leaders said preempting tech regulation is a “dereliction of duty” and does not properly protect residents from the harms they may face.
Texas universities deploy AI tools to review and rewrite how some courses discuss race and gender
Records obtained by The Texas Tribune show how universities are using the technology to reshape curriculum under political pressure, raising concerns about academic freedom.
Hochul and legislative leaders play game of chicken with AI regulations
Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to rewrite the RAISE Act with language nearly identical to a California law, a hard no for lawmakers.
Trump signs order targeting ‘cumbersome’ state AI regulation
The order instructs certain federal agencies to identify which state laws undermine federal efforts to help the U.S. lead globally in AI.
Still early days for state chief AI officers
The role is still being defined by its earliest incumbents, as states remain uncertain about the future of the technology and how to deal with its impacts.
‘AI Week’ crashed by Trump-DeSantis battle over regulation: What’s next?
Florida House plans comprehensive, multi-committee study of technology’s implications.
