Tech & Data

Is Generative AI Bad for the Environment?

COMMENTARY | A computer scientist explains the carbon footprint of ChatGPT and its cousins.

  • By Kate Saenko, The Conversation

Lawmakers Try to Keep Kids Off Social Media, Porn Sites

Skeptics doubt legislators’ ability to thwart tech-savvy teens.

  • By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline

Virtual Innovation Center Tackles Health Interoperability Challenges

The center will look to break down some of the barriers to sharing data that can make patient care more challenging.

  • By Chris Teale

Public Sector Apps Face Widespread Security Challenges, Report Reveals

A new study found alarming security vulnerabilities across the vast majority of public applications over the last year.

  • By Chris Riotta

Microsoft Unveils OpenAI Service for Government Customers

Microsoft is opening up its commercial generative AI technology to public sector customers and partners.

  • By Frank Konkel
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.

  • Presented by SAP Concur

Safely Routing Carbon-Capture Pipelines

The National Energy Technology Laboratory is developing data tools for state and local agencies making pipeline routing decisions for carbon capture and storage projects.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

The Potentially Life-Saving Map That Most Can’t See

Across most of the country, officials use a map tracking overdoses to monitor and respond to the spread of deadly drug batches. But not everyone who could access or benefit from it knows about it.

  • By Madelyn Beck, Wyofile

Nebraska, FBI Partner to Raise Awareness of Agriculture Threats

A two-day event seeks to highlight rising threats in the sector, including bioterrorism or biowarfare.

  • By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner

How to Convince Homeowners to Relocate Because of Climate Change

One expert says the path to success may lie not in the data itself, but in how governments communicate the data.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Why Blockchain Is a Key Technology for State and Local Governments

COMMENTARY | Blockchains are a promising solution for securing data in health care, finance, voting and other public applications.

  • By Yu Chen, The Conversation

AI Is Used Widely, but Lawmakers Have Set Few Rules

Connecticut is the latest state to legislate new guardrails for artificial intelligence.

  • By Caitlin Dewey, Stateline

AI in the Workplace: Local Officials Explore Responsible Use

As more governments experiment with artificial intelligence, local leaders are considering how to leverage AI’s benefits safely and responsibly.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson
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Cybersecurity Standards Gain Ground in Counties

More counties are embracing voluntary cybersecurity frameworks to evaluate their risk and better protect their assets, a recent report shows.

  • By Chris Teale

How AI Could Take Over Elections—And Undermine Democracy

COMMENTARY | An AI-driven political campaign could have grave implications for election outcomes, experts warn, manipulating the messages and advertisements individuals see to sway their voting behavior.

  • By Archon Fung and Lawrence Lessig, The Conversation

Digital Driver’s Licenses Expand

Maryland has become the first state to offer digital licenses and IDs for both Apple and Android devices. At least 17 states allow for digital licenses.

  • By Susan Miller

Damage Assessment Tool Streamlines Data Collection for Disaster Prep, Response, Recovery

Hurricane season is officially underway, and one county in Florida is looking to utilize the cloud to build on lessons learned during one of the state's most devastating hurricanes.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

Automation Risks Creating a Two-Tier Workforce of Haves and Have-Nots

COMMENTARY | As workplaces welcome more automated processes, staff members must adapt to modern skills to thrive in a tech-centric environment.

  • By Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, The Conversation

What State Unemployment Modernization Pilots Get Right

Pilot programs in two states focusing on identity verification for unemployment systems could set the stage for nationwide modernization.

  • By Natalie Alms

A Closer Look at ID Verification Across State Benefits Applications

The Digital Benefits Network’s open dataset details the identity proofing requirements of 158 applications for benefits programs.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

A Defense Against Phishing Attacks, One Simulated Email at a Time

With a platform that trains staff not to click on links in seemingly relevant emails, San Francisco cut the click rate on test emails by 50% in the first 18 months.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

How Agencies Can Automate Data Extraction at Scale

COMMENTARY | Data is embedded in formats that are hard to search and process. Think emails, PDFs, spreadsheets, images, driver’s licenses. Here's how to extract that data and improve efficiency, reduce backlogs and solve operational challenges.

  • By Matt Macnak