Emerging Tech

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.”

A new report from the Center for Democracy and Technology examines ways in which AI-powered chatbots may negatively impact voter confidence this election season, for people with disabilities.

The New York State Forum has established a new AI-focused workgroup to provide resources and understanding on AI use. It will be led by the state’s Director of Data and AI Governance Gail Galusha.

At the State of GovTech conference, vendors, public officials and others discussed the industry's future, and what startups need for success. AI was a big topic, with public agency cooperation becoming more of a factor.

The Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act, sets strict requirements for developing large AI models. But such action could hamstring the U.S. and fail to protect against advanced foreign AI.

A cross-sector partnership has helped pave the way for electric AV shuttles to start rolling off the assembly line in Florida by the middle of 2026, meeting Buy America requirements.

New York City Councilmember Jennifer Gutiérrez is introducing new legislation this week that would require the creation of a public list of the city’s approved artificial intelligence tools.

In June, a new $4 billion nuclear power plant from the company TerraPower broke ground near Kemmerer, Wyo., with the hope of revitalizing the industry through new innovations.

From housing to homelessness, state officials want to hear from vendors of generative artificial intelligence for ideas on confronting some significant issues. A large language model showcase is set for later this month.

A guide from the Data Foundation is intended to be a comprehensive resource for policymakers, with guidance to support improved data governance amid the rise of artificial intelligence technology.

Four technology companies are part of the city’s initiative, which is aimed at growing its tech industry and making strides in smart city and digital government work. A Living Lab facility is in the works.

Their system, DeepFire, analyzes data on previous fires, weather conditions and other factors to anticipate potential wildfires and detect new ones. It is advancing in an ongoing competition to develop firefighting technology.

The process, which takes about three seconds, debuted this week for people visiting other countries via Denver International Airport. The new U.S. Customs and Border Protection system compares images to those already on file.

The nonprofit's new edition of its accelerator program will include 16 startups, and will be run in partnership with the National League of Cities and the GovAI Coalition. Its mission: to help implement and scale AI at the local level.

CivStart, a nonprofit accelerator, has named the nine startups that made it through a two-year program designed to boost the marketplace profile of those companies, and give executives vital expertise. A new program focused on AI will launch soon.

Jeffery Marino, director of California’s Office of Data and Innovation, reminded attendees at last week’s Government Innovation Summit that they make the rules on implementing technology.