Artificial Intelligence

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey invited University of Massachusetts, Amherst students to create AI tools to assist public agencies. The students traveled to Boston last week to share their work.

As public safety staffing shortages persist, Truleo is betting that a new AI tool focused on police chiefs and staff can help reduce law enforcement workflow burdens — and prevent the need to hire full-time assistants.

Assembly Bill 1064, the Leading Ethical AI Development for Kids Act, aims to safeguard children from harmful companion chatbots. Lawmakers approved the bill and it is now awaiting action from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Suma Nallapati, CIO for the city and county of Denver since 2023, will expand her title to chief artificial intelligence and information officer, a move Mayor Mike Johnston says will help position Denver as a leader in AI.

City Council members unanimously approved a motion to amend the city’s Homeless Action Plan with AI-generated recommendations from ChatGPT. The shift restricts how public funds can be used.

The two entities are teaming up to offer programming on artificial intelligence to the KU community and beyond. The week will include breakouts on incorporating AI, and open houses showing its applications.

Researchers at two universities designed and tested AI classmates, to help real middle schoolers practice math modeling. The characters have successfully engaged the students, who have praised their realism.

A new UNESCO report cautions that artificial intelligence has the potential to threaten students’ access to quality education. The organization calls for a focus on people, to ensure digital tools enhance education.

The Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification’s assessment process has been streamlined, in an effort to reduce the barrier to entry for local governments to measure and validate their data practices.

Two newly approved institutions at universities in North Dakota will focus on training educators, preparing students and advancing workforce development through artificial intelligence.

A new report from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, with Accenture, finds considerable optimism about the public sector’s generative artificial intelligence work — but relatively few use cases.

State Rep. Nikki Rivera has introduced legislation to ensure charter school students are taught by certified teachers, citing the risks of fully AI-driven instruction. It highlights the ongoing conversation around AI in instruction.

A new survey of school IT leaders from the Consortium for School Networking highlights strong interest in AI’s potential, tempered by early stage maturity and ongoing risks that hinder broader adoption.

The company already is building a data center in the southeastern part of the Badger State. The goal is to build chips that can support “frontier AI models,” according to the technology giant.

The state’s new Small Business Office has launched a platform aimed at creating a resource network to help small businesses to get started and build connections. Coming soon is a new tool to assess loan readiness.

Artificial intelligence pilots, application modernization and stronger cyber defenses are reshaping how residents connect with government, CIO Nathan Hogue said. An AI-powered virtual assistant will debut next week.

Ohio Homeland Security has launched a new AI-powered system to make it easier for residents to report suspicious activity. It facilitates the uploading of video, audio, photos and other information.

Over the past few years, there has been case after case of school-age children using deepfake technologies to prank or bully their classmates. And it keeps getting easier to do.