North Carolina

The good, the bad and the unknown: The future of AI in North Carolina

Leading experts in research, government and industry innovators gathered at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus this week to discuss how artificial intelligence can be responsibly designed and used for the public good.

North Carolina Treasurer’s office expands use of AI throughout the agency

The State Employees Association of North Carolina cautioned that AI’s effect on workers is “a great unknown.” Its adoption in other sectors has sometimes been accompanied by job losses.

North Carolina invests $26M to expand high-speed internet into additional rural areas by 2026

The additional funding targets 5,161 homes, businesses and community anchor institutions in 66 counties across rural portions of the state.

After North Carolina cyberattacks, IT officials warn General Assembly of poor preparedness

The state’s systems face more than 10 billion attack attempts each month, a top cybersecurity official told lawmakers.

Inside states’ efforts to expand and strengthen longitudinal data systems

Data sharing is key to facilitate agencies’ efforts to improve resident outcomes. But officials must take a thoughtful approach to help agencies trust that their data will be used responsibly, experts say.

North Carolina environmental agency embraces automation, process improvement

The improvements to the Department of Environmental Quality’s permitting process have helped clear over a million dollars in backlogged fees, enabling the agency to in turn hire more employees to review permits.

North Carolina lawmaker sues over AI-generated ad campaign

State Sen. DeAndrea Salvador’s TED Talk was manipulated and used in a campaign for energy efficient appliances in Latin America, and won awards at a major event in Cannes.

Raleigh to launch self-service portal for residents

Officials in the North Carolina city say they want to simplify the way its 500,000 residents engage with its agencies through its “Ask Raleigh” customer experience center.

North Carolina lawmakers consider bill to let consumers opt out of targeted online ads

If passed, the bill would allow consumers obtain their data, have it corrected or have it deleted. Companies would have to tell consumers what third parties have their personal information.

NC House panel advances bill restricting K-12 student cell phone use

A North Carolina House committee advanced a bill requiring school boards to adopt cell phone restriction policies during instructional time.

Wildfires are coming to the Southeast. Can landowners mitigate the risk in time?

No other part of the country has seen such a sharp rise in the number of big fires. The bigger challenge, though, is getting people to embrace the prescribed burns that can prevent them.

Millions of aging Americans are facing dementia by themselves

At least 4.3 million people 55 or older who have cognitive impairment or dementia live alone in the United States, according to estimates from University of California-San Francisco research.

Weeks before the election, and some states still don't know who's allowed to vote

A blizzard of GOP lawsuits and the devastation of two hurricanes are complicating plans for administering the 2024 general election.

How do you vote amid the hurricane damage? States are learning as they go.

North Carolina’s Board of Elections has made it easier for for residents in counties affected by Hurricane Helene to vote by maiI. In Florida, a federal judge declined to extend the voter registration deadline.

A boy’s bicycling death haunts a Black neighborhood. 35 years later, there’s still no sidewalk.

Pedestrian deaths are highest in formerly redlined areas, neighborhoods where Black people lived because of discriminatory federal mortgage lending practices. The lack of sidewalks, damaged walkways and roads in these communities are creating a little-recognized public health crisis.

Flood-ravaged North Carolina races to restore voting access after Helene

With voting underway, election officials must mail new ballots and replace destroyed polling places.

Election workers may need to become whistleblowers this fall

Legal groups stand ready to help election workers navigate the legal realities of “see something, say something.”

Eight states to vote on amendments to ban noncitizen voting

It is already illegal under state laws and rare, but Republicans in some states say the language needs to be clearer in their constitutions.