The smart cities movement has evolved from sensors on light poles aimed at improving traffic flow to connected platforms that are practical, efficient and equitable for government, businesses and residents.
Municipal transit agencies are working with private companies to reduce the difficulty people often have in getting from home or work to public transportation, making trains and buses more accessible for all.
‘Double-burdened counties’ have both poor health outcomes and low broadband penetration, making connectivity a priority. High-speed Internet creates access to telehealth services for preventive and critical care.
Data from the U.S. General Services Administration shows that larger counties are far more likely to participate in the .gov program than smaller ones, and certain states have barely touched it.
Government IT staff and industry researchers weigh in on how digital services are meeting their moment, with office buildings closed, Web traffic spiking and applications for relief programs becoming increasingly urgent.
Local governments have an obligation to keep conducting business and engaging the public during the global pandemic, but there can often be more to virtual public meetings than meets the eye.
The adjustment to life in a pandemic has not been easy, but it has shown that public-sector work is not only vital, but also flexible, and that IT has a critical role to play in ensuring organizational resilience.
As chief information officer of the country’s fourth most populous county, Ed Winfield has had to balance priorities like an ongoing technology refresh with the new curve balls the coronavirus has added to his plate.
Plus, the dramatic jump in Internet traffic from COVID-19, a new tool from Microsoft that identifies politically incorrect language online and a device that prevents digital home assistants from always listening.
The novel coronavirus shifted the nature of gov tech work virtually overnight, but its long-term impacts will bring even more changes as priorities change and tech offers opportunities to shape the future.
The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed many state unemployment insurance websites. While some fared better than others, all governments can take advantage of things like cloud technology to prepare for the next storm.
Startups working with government agencies have had to pivot in response to the economic and health crises of recent months. Going forward, their innovation paired with public-sector mission will be critical.
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