People

DHS personnel descend on New Orleans to help secure Super Bowl LIX

CISA has already conducted physical and cybersecurity vulnerability assessments ahead of the Feb. 9 NFL championship game.

A BEAD critic could end up running the internet access program

Arielle Roth, a former aide to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has been tapped to head up the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. She has long been skeptical of some of the $42 billion effort’s provisions.

Preparing for battle: Cybersecurity incident response for public bodies

COMMENTARY | It may feel impossible to plan for a cyberattack, but public sector organizations can take several steps now to protect themselves, both legally and through policy.

Trump signs AI executive order

The order calls for the development of an AI action plan and sets up a process for revoking actions taken under President Biden’s previous AI executive order signed in October 2023.

Rethink federal spending to save broadband subsidy, tech group argues

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation said the government should prioritize affordability over infrastructure and tweak eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

In times of crisis, states have few tools to fight misinformation

Social media companies have pushed back against efforts to crack down on falsehoods.

North Dakota lawmakers discuss adding computer-generated images to definition of child pornography

Possessing a computer-generated image of child pornography would be punishable as a felony in North Dakota under a bill discussed Monday by state lawmakers.

Fearing AI will take their jobs, workers plan a long battle against tech

At a landmark gathering in California, workers discussed defenses against artificial intelligence and surveillance technology.

A challenging transition for new state CIOs

Several people are new to leading their state’s technology divisions and must navigate all manner of rules and laws while trying to make their own mark on the position.

How to improve government efficiency — from the easy wins to the tough challenges

COMMENTARY | It’s about more than cutting costs. Governments must build systems that work better for their constituents, and allow their employees the chance to shine.

Meta to move content moderators to Texas as part of plan to end fact-checking program

The tech giant’s decision to end the program comes as CEO Mark Zuckerberg seeks to mend ties with the incoming Trump administration.

Resilience over resources: Closing the cybersecurity gap in state and local government

COMMENTARY | While they may lack the budget and staff to mount an effective defense, states and localities can take many other steps without needing to spend more money.

Technology is supposed to decrease teacher burnout – but we found it can sometimes make it worse

COMMENTARY | Asking teachers to adopt new tools without removing old requirements is a recipe for burnout.

How system modernization is helping Idaho mitigate unemployment

The Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses is leveraging a new web-based portal to make it easier and quicker for people to obtain professional licenses and enter the workforce.

Could 3D-printed housing help address Oklahoma’s affordable housing crisis? A lawmaker thinks so

A state lawmaker wants to use the same technology that is being considered for use on Mars to help tackle Oklahoma’s affordable housing crisis.

How govs can strengthen their cyber staff in the new year

Budgetary and staffing challenges are likely to follow state and local governments into 2025, but experts say agencies’ progress toward addressing those obstacles will prevail too.

Governments lag other sectors in adopting AI in contact centers, report says

The public sector is far behind the healthcare and retail sectors in using the technology to answer questions and provide users with next steps. But it can gain on its private peers.

Feds push out dollars for states’ digital equity efforts

With just weeks left until President-elect Donald Trump takes office, the NTIA is sending millions of dollars out the door. But not everyone agrees it’s a good idea.

College students ‘cautiously curious’ about AI, despite mixed messages from schools, employers

Some professors at first took a hard line against AI when ChatGPT was introduced in 2022, but students say schools have softened their stands as the usefulness – and career potential – of the technology has become clearer.

States are using tech to wipe criminal records clean automatically

Twelve states now have fully automatic criminal records clearance policies, with more set to follow. Artificial intelligence and other tech can help speed up what has previously been an onerous and expensive process.