Emerging Tech

Hilary Ronen, a supervisor at the consolidated city-county, has drafted legislation that would compel officials to list how and where artificial intelligence is used. Transparency is a main goal: “We’re not prohibiting any uses” of AI, she said.

Plus, the first easily accessible 3D data set of the moon, Scottsdale, Ariz., rolls out drones as first responders, and the amount Amazon has lost on devices powered by Alexa.

The city’s Chamber of Commerce will host the session this week, examining using the unmanned aircraft to deliver medical supplies and vital health-care services. The endeavor will include partners in health-care and education.

Transit providers in rural areas are experimenting with data-sharing technology to improve services, by introducing modern features like trip planning to form more coordinated, regionwide systems. One system is already seeing results.

The state is the latest to pilot driver alcohol detection technology. Here, a steering wheel-mounted sensor can prevent a vehicle from being started when it detects elevated carbon dioxide and ethanol levels in a person in the driver's seat.

The electric vehicle charging network is close to securing a federal Department of Energy loan and plans to stand up 7,500 high-speed chargers in five years. It and other companies are working to make charging simpler and more pleasant.

Drones could someday deliver life-saving medical supplies to injured persons across Cambria County, Pa., and potentially even transport them to hospitals if need be.

At this stage of the hype cycle, artificial intelligence is demonstrating real value to state IT organizations. Arizona CIO J.R. Sloan is optimistic that solutions to emerging concerns around escalating energy use are on the way.

The Transit Tech Lab in New York City completed the “proof-of-concept” phase of its sixth annual competition to align technology solutions with some of the needs of the area’s various transit agencies.

With AI-powered recruitment tools increasingly used in hiring, the U.S. Department of Labor has announced the release of its own AI and Inclusive Hiring Framework to support inclusive hiring practices.

The Maryland Department of Information Technology is partnering with InnovateUS to offer free artificial intelligence training to state employees, joining a growing list of states to do so.

Wilson, N.Y., will continue to weigh a 12-month halt to processing of any applications for permits related to battery energy storage systems often associated with “utility grade” solar energy projects.

As AI evolves, government must do so as well to effectively leverage the technology for improved service delivery, attendees said at the yearly Digital Benefits Conference. Accurate data is essential to make AI-powered systems work as designed for government.

Oil companies could use a glut of natural gas to generate electricity for data centers. But one state official is using the “R” word — “regulation.” U.S. electric demand is rising for the first time in decades as a result of these facilities coming online.

Making the state’s Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act law is the first step toward improving its contents. If it is vetoed, incentives to create a replacement will likely dim.

A new deal would restart the nuclear power station’s Unit 1 reactor by 2028. Microsoft has committed to buy electricity generated, to run its data centers. The plant’s condition has received good reviews but capital investments will be needed.

Louisiana government is now able to accept payments in cryptocurrency, state Treasurer John Fleming has announced, noting that people will be able to make payments from secure crypto wallets.

Relationships, state CIO Liana Bailey-Crimmins said at the State of Technology — California Industry Forum event, “need to be beyond transactional.” With emergent tech like generative AI evolving, she called for “innovative ideas.”