Emerging Tech

A simple way to make electric cars more accessible: Share them

Car shares not only make electric vehicles more equitable, they reduce the number of vehicles on the road and the resources needed to decarbonize transport.

Why humans can’t trust AI: You don’t know how it works, what it’s going to do or whether it’ll serve your interests

COMMENTARY | People can trust each other because they understand how the human mind works, can predict people’s behavior and assume that most people have a moral sense. None of these things are true of AI.

How generative AI is being used to put the humanity back into government

Non-English speaking residents of Minnesota can more easily access driver and vehicle services thanks to a new generative AI-based virtual assistant that automatically translates English into Hmong, Spanish and Somali.

States put up their own money to attract chips manufacturing

One year after the CHIPS act became law, states are bolstering federal funding with their own investments in semiconductor research and development.

Sponsor Content

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.

State shifts mobile driver’s licenses into higher gear

Thanks to the growing adoption of smartphone wallets and mobile payment technologies like Apple Pay and Google Pay, Colorado officials expect the state’s mDL to gain wide acceptance.

AVs are coming, whether local officials like it or not

California regulators recently lifted restrictions on driverless cars in San Francisco, despite objections from local leaders. As autonomous vehicles come to more cities, these fights may be more common.

‘Connected’ self-driving cars can speed up travel time

COMMENTARY | By communicating with each other and traffic control signals, connected vehicles can adjust their speeds to avoid stopping at intersections.

Policing police drones: How regulations can protect privacy while expanding public safety

Without accountability measures in place, drones meant to act as first responders could push the boundaries of monitoring and surveillance.

Unless states act soon, the ‘AI rich’ will ‘only get richer’

The industry is currently concentrated in only a handful of places in the U.S. States can change that.

Re-imagining democracy for the 21st century, possibly without the trappings of the 18th century

COMMENTARY | The modern representative democracy was the best form of government mid-18th-century technology could invent. The 21st century is a different place scientifically, technically and socially.

As water reuse expands, proponents battle the ‘yuck’ factor

Treated wastewater could be the answer to communities' looming concerns over water shortages. Despite skepticism and, often, disgust at the idea, experts say reused water is a glass-half-full solution.

One small step for man, one giant leap for Pittsburgh

Steel city startups are set to send new tech to the moon. But Pittsburgh’s galactic ambition doesn’t end there. Local and state officials want to play a key part in the future of America’s space exploration.

Digital twins: Debunking 4 common myths

COMMENTARY | State and local agencies can use digital twins to run detailed analysis of planned roadways, housing developments and facilities to spot hidden issues.

Giving AI direct control over anything is a bad idea—here’s how it could do us real harm

COMMENTARY | For executive decision-making, artificial intelligence is still no match for emotional intelligence. The latter, one expert says, is crucial for a holistic approach to project management.

Helping young people make a quantum leap

By engaging high schoolers, public and private universities are looking to jumpstart efforts to build the future quantum workforce.

Flood management gets a boost from drones

As major flooding events are expected to become more common, drones could help communities keep resilience up and damage down.

Deepfakes: Events that never happened could influence the 2024 presidential election

COMMENTARY | AI can manipulate a real event or invent one from thin air to create a ‘situation deepfake.’ These deepfakes threaten to influence upcoming elections, cybersecurity experts warn.

As employers expand artificial intelligence in hiring, few states have rules

Legislators are ‘late to the party’ on laws concerning artificial intelligence.

AI scam calls imitating familiar voices are a growing problem—here’s how they work

COMMENTARY | Artificial intelligence can generate synthetic voices, and scammers are using the technology to trick unsuspecting victims.

Homelessness could have a 3D-printed solution

An innovative pilot in Chattanooga aims to tackle the challenge of sheltering homeless residents.