Technology

Amid DOGE push, states wrestle with defining ‘government efficiency’

Several states have instituted new committees in their legislatures in a bid to rein in spending. But others suggest the path to efficiency is less about grabbing headlines and more about finding new ways of working.

How emerging tech is shaping law enforcement

Sensors and analytics are helping under-resourced departments be more effective. But agencies must do their due diligence when adopting these new systems.

Using human-centered design to improve public service experiences

Agencies may be risk-averse, but using this method is the perfect way forward as it puts those impacted by a product or service’s design at its heart.

Tech and chip manufacturing help make metro areas ‘dynamic’

The increase in semiconductor facilities, spurred in part by federal funding, has helped vault some cities forward. But some experts caution not to rely too heavily on one sector for economic development.

Jockeying intensifies for state quantum leadership

New Mexico will open a major research and development center, while Maryland promised to invest $1 billion in the technology in the next five years.

OpenAI debuts ChatGPT Gov for public sector use

The new chatbot brings the same capabilities from the public model to government-approved and secure cloud environments for federal workloads.

Rethinking budgeting: A transformative approach for state and local governments

Given the fiscal realities that the majority of governments now face in the post-COVID era, they need to think differently about how they allocate their resources.

Iowa floats first state-level ‘Department of Government Efficiency’

Gov. Kim Reynolds said the new task force would build on the state’s previous efforts to consolidate agencies and technology, which has already saved millions of dollars.

Digital twin helps Texas port track operations, plan ahead

The Port of Corpus Christi deployed its Overall Port Tactical Information Computer System to provide a “single pane of glass” to law enforcement and other authorities who monitor it.

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.

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.

As technology evolves, it becomes harder to tell ‘real’ AI from marketing

Technologists say the hazy definition of “artificial intelligence” leaves a wide opening for companies to over-promise or over-market the capabilities of their products – or even render “AI” more of a marketing gimmick than a real technology.

Democrats push to protect the data privacy of people seeking abortions

In Congress, Sen. Elizabeth Warren plans to reintroduce legislation to ban data brokers from selling consumers’ health and location data. A similar effort is underway in Michigan.

States were not prepared to face COVID-era UI fraud, congressional report says

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic said states paid out more than $191 billion in fraudulent payments. Data-driven oversight could have mitigated some of those losses, the report said.

At legislators' retreat, lawmakers discuss AI and economic growth

City & State’s Legislators’ Retreat featured keynote speeches from Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez and Center for an Urban Future executive director Jonathan Bowles.

A change at Route Fifty

We are shifting our focus to report on how state and local governments are using technology, and will keep following innovative solutions to pressing challenges.

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.