Civic Tech

Finance automation, powered by artificial intelligence technology, is helping to save Mt. Lebanon, Pa., a significant amount of time and is simplifying the accounts payable process.

A Wake County judge has ordered Flock Safety to stop installing automated license plate cameras for law enforcement and other clients across the state, finding the firm has been operating unlicensed for years.

Efforts to make the city smarter has some residents concerned that the technology will be used to spy. But officials say that’s not the case and that a substantial public safety camera network has been in place since 2015.

Led by the co-chairs named earlier this month, the members of MetroLab Network’s GenAI for Local Governments Task Force will work together to create a comprehensive resource of guidance on the use of AI technology.

A new report released last week by the Urban Libraries Council outlines five recommendations of how public libraries can use artificial intelligence technologies in their work to serve communities.

The Philadelphia Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities has created the Disability Characteristics Map using census data to represent the diversity in abilities of the city's residents.

The Philadelphia Office of Innovation and Technology has created a Racial Equity Action Plan. Equity plays an integral role for an office tasked with supporting other city departments with technology.

The state of Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety uses translation AI tech in its Driver and Vehicle Services division, expanding access to government services for non-English-speaking constituents.

Last week, several members of Congress reintroduced the Algorithmic Accountability Act, a bill that would help regulate new generative AI systems to protect constituents from potential harm.

Officials are dealing with a growing number of "Zoombombings" in Maine and other states in which callers have interrupted municipal meetings with racist, antisemitic and homophobic language.

The Albuquerque Police Department has implemented three new tools to help enable police to use a more informed response to calls for service. The tech could be especially impactful for community members with disabilities.

The single sign-on portal for government benefits and services is set to be expanded to all 50 states. The program was initially piloted in Arkansas in 2022 and has since been adopted by more than 40 federal and state agencies.

The Pennsylvania Geological Survey and those who partner with it are building a new web tool to help potential developers of carbon storage projects peruse the state's geological offerings.

The University of Kansas is spearheading a technology program that offers a comprehensive array of digital skills training to facilitate the reintegration of incarcerated women into society.

The collaboration and shared learning made possible through the smart region consortium known as The Connective enhances tech work for cities that are members — such as Phoenix, Mesa and Surprise, Ariz.

The smart region consortium for the greater Phoenix region, known as The Connective, offers members across sectors a model for collaboration and learning to develop and deploy technology solutions.

Lake County, Ind., recently launched an all-electronic recording process to enable heavy, and even just occasional, users of the recorder's office to submit documents and receive them back.

The Oxford Public Library is one of 215 public libraries across the country using the resources and funding from a partnership with AT&T to help increase digital literacy throughout the community.