Author Archive
Chris Teale
People
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.
Digital Government
Feds offer help complying with website accessibility rule
A toolkit from the Department of Justice called on governments to understand the rule, work out when they need to comply, train staff and identify content that needs to be changed.
Digital Government
Biden signs law easing rural broadband projects
The E-BRIDGE Act, included in a sweeping water infrastructure package, makes those projects eligible for certain federal grants and allows recipients to use private sector expertise in their development and deployment.
Digital Government
Online age verification laws await legal spotlight
A Texas law requiring adult websites to use age verification technology to limit minors’ access goes before the Supreme Court next week, as similar laws are springing up in other states.
Digital Government
Feds still aren’t fully backing satellite for BEAD grants
States can use money from the $42 billion program to reserve space on satellite networks or reimburse providers when they hit certain milestones. But the tech can only receive money if no other options exists for an area.
Artificial Intelligence
Prosecutors turn to AI for evidence management and analysis
Having one place to upload evidence from disparate sources and analyze it saves staff time and lets offices focus on seeking justice, rather than on administrative tasks.
Customer Experience
Alaska uses cloud, AI to modernize dividend payouts
The state will streamline its Permanent Fund Dividend, a program that pays eligible residents a portion of oil and mining revenue but has been beset by aged technology and processes.
Cybersecurity
Parents think schools’ cybersecurity is stronger than reality, report says
Recent research from Keeper Security found a “widening gap” between the perception of districts’ cyber readiness. Better training and information sharing can help improve the outlook.
Emerging Tech
After AI’s busy 2024, expect more of the same next year
States are likely to further attempt to regulate the technology and understand how it can benefit their governments and residents. But there are warning signs that rules deemed heavy-handed will remain unpopular.
Digital Government
Major broadband subsidy faces uncertain 2025
The Supreme Court will debate how the Universal Service Fund is financed amid questions over its constitutionality. Without it, states would lose a major resource in reducing the digital divide.
Emerging Tech
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.
Featured eBooks
Infrastructure
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.
Digital Government
California bill would add warning labels to social media platforms
The proposal would warn users of the potential mental health impacts, but opponents say the plan will once again fall foul of the First Amendment’s free speech protections.
Emerging Tech
Cross-state partnership looks to boost drone use and research
The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced this week it would partner with North Dakota to build its own testing site and figure out potential uses for the technology.
Emerging Tech
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.
Digital Government
‘Individualized’ government tech could improve customer experience, Florida official says
Rich Evans, CIO of Florida’s Department of Management Services, said during a recent workshop the public sector should embrace emerging technologies as a way of better serving constituents.
Digital Government
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.
Digital Government
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.
Digital Government
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.
Digital Government
States’ privacy is a ‘continual conversation’ amid AI growth, officials say
More governments are embracing some form of privacy protection. It could be hard for those laws to keep up with emerging tech, but officials said that presents an opportunity to be forward-thinking.
