Emerging Tech

The New York Police Department will install gun detection scanners at a handful of subway turnstiles this week. An advocacy group says disclosure requirements have not been met.

The state announced the release earlier this month of a course on using generative artificial intelligence, for public-sector staffers in New Jersey and elsewhere. More coursework is coming later this summer.

Ada County, Idaho, has launched a tool that lets the public view ballot images and cast vote records, using it for new local elections for the first time in May. Now, other counties might also adopt it.

Using large language models, and with some adult supervision, the chatbot would coach young people on how to identify and respond to messages from online predators.

The Hawaiian Electric Co. has begun installing high-resolution video cameras with artificial intelligence technology, to spot ignitions early in areas near its equipment that have elevated fire risk.

A workshop on July 26-27 for students as well as the general public will feature presentations, panel discussions, group activities and lectures by scientists on the materials and devices behind brain-inspired computing.

After two fires at battery energy storage facilities in less than a year, staff for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will create standards for future projects in unincorporated areas. The issue could go to a vote as soon as August.

Plus, Waymo reports 50,000 weekly driverless taxi rides in three major cities, research finds investments in renewable energy are paying off and parrots, it turns out, like to FaceTime their friends.

The state’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy details how agencies will leverage the technology for predictive analysis, to improve resident services and drive workforce development. Ethics and security are part of the plan.

The Elk Grove Police Department plans to add three aerial drones to assist in the line of duty, a trend that many law enforcement agencies have recently adopted to contribute to service.

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee announced the group’s membership, and that he would host its inaugural gathering, on Friday. Members will assess the risks and opportunities in artificial intelligence.

The New Orleans-based nonprofit MakeGood is now creating customized assistive technology that is intended to help people with disabilities solve the problems they encounter in daily life.

Experts say crypto ATMs have become a vehicle for international criminal enterprises, and that millions of dollars’ worth of fraud is carried out using the machines in the U.S. alone.

In an email Wednesday, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said it will revise the Florida Smart ID application, and asked users to delete it. The app has since been deactivated.

State and municipal agencies and one of the nation’s most populous counties are integrating AI and GIS into their permitting systems, adding automation and enhancing transparency to improve service and accountability.

The Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy at the Utah Department of Commerce has opened roughly four months after its creation. It will explore the most effective methods of AI regulation and guide development of responsible policies.

Officials at the Missouri Botanical Garden, a National Historic Landmark in St. Louis, are using artificial intelligence to digitize their herbarium; and to assess how changing climates nationwide may impact trees.

Backed by $50 million worth of rewards, this new push from the cloud operator aims to spark innovation in generative AI projects. The move comes as Amazon’s AWS keeps expanding in government.