Digital Government

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.

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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.

Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges

A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill prohibiting minors from using social media accounts as school districts become a “hunting ground” for online dangers.

How one state is expanding language access for UI applications

New Jersey has released training materials that can help agencies improve Spanish translations of government resources and services using artificial intelligence.

Alabama senator refiles bill to make body cameras, dashboard footage public records

Alabama does not classify video and audio of police encounters as public records and provides limited access to those captured on tape.

Empowering state and local governments in the evolving tech landscape

COMMENTARY | Agency employees can leverage new developments to deliver positive outcomes for their constituents. It is up to them to seize these new opportunities.

Public health tech must be agile in post-COVID world, Virginia official says

Agencies had to quickly stand up new systems to track cases and vaccines, among other things. With federal help reduced, they need to be sustainable with their tech investments.

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.

U.S. Education Department pings states, schools to set policies on cellphone use

The department said schools' policies should be "clear, consistent, and research-informed," but did not specify exactly what those policies should be.

States’ privacy is a ‘continual conversation’ amid AI growth, officials say

More governments are embracing some form of privacy protection. It could be hard for those laws to keep up with emerging tech, but officials said that presents an opportunity to be forward-thinking.

Landlords are using AI to raise rents — and cities are starting to push back

Federal prosecutors have accused software company RealPage of enriching itself "at the expense of renters who pay inflated prices."

Ratepayer advocates hail ‘landmark’ settlement with data centers, utility company

The nondiscriminatory agreement would apply to all “large load” customers once regulators approve.

Government technology segments to watch

COMMENTARY | With all the pressures on government agencies, they must embrace innovative solutions.

LA’s push for modernization looks to spur housing development, reduce agency costs

A centralized portal for permitting services, experts say, will help the city streamline the application and approval process and could set the stage for other municipalities to follow.

Florida’s Deloitte-run computer system cut off new moms entitled to Medicaid

Florida discovered a glitch in its Deloitte-run Medicaid eligibility system. The problem, alleged in court testimony, led to new mothers wrongly losing their insurance coverage.

How much did AI really impact the election?

AI tools can produce realistic deepfakes and synthetic audio that influence public opinion.

Elections offices slowly turn to .gov domain in the fight against misinformation

Uptake has been slow, even as the federal government has made it free. Experts said it could help election officials stand apart as purveyors of truthful information.

App offers city’s youth a safe space to report concerns, challenges

Denver’s Power of One app allows young people in a section of the city to get help. It’s part of a wider push for reporting systems to get assistance to juveniles who need it.

Trump wants even looser AI guardrails. Why California, despite passing over 20 AI bills this year, might not push back

President-elect Trump has vowed to rescind an executive order that imposed AI safeguards, and could use tech to enable mass deportations. How far will California go in the other direction?

Public health surveillance, from social media to sewage, spots disease outbreaks early to stop them fast

COMMENTARY | Rather than winging it when an unusual health event crops up, health officials take a systematic approach. The goal is to quickly figure out what’s going on and squash any outbreak before it spreads.

How one policymaker is dabbling as a social influencer

A New York City council member is turning to social media and short-form videos to interact with residents.