Federal Government

As of June 21, Maine’s executive branch entities are barred from using generative AI. This moratorium is intended to give the state time to research and evaluate risks posed by the technology.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced a $1.16 billion allocation to the state to close the digital divide. Not everyone is convinced it’s enough to bridge the gap.  

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced a more than $14.5 million investment to expand broadband access across the north country region.

Grant programs like the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation program and Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation are advancing transportation and transit improvement tech projects across the country.

Public comment could soon swamp government officials and representatives, thanks to AI, but AI could also help spot compelling stories from constituents.

Legislation authored by Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., will see $43.5 million in federal funding sent to the state. The money will fund the Internet expansion to schools, libraries, community centers, and government offices.

As experts discussed during the 2023 Digital.gov Government UX Summit, the work of designing accessible digital products is an iterative process that requires planning, user research and improvements.

Federal and state agencies and universities announce data breaches after hackers began exploiting a zero-day in late May. Now the company behind MOVEit has announced another critical vulnerability as more breaches come to light.

Plus, the White House directs more funds toward rural Internet, Michigan announces statewide campaign to increase Affordable Connectivity Program enrollment, and more.

Congress is weighing whether new discoveries, like drugs and medical treatment, created with artificial intelligence systems can be patented. Currently, only human inventors have the power to patent their work.

Plus, Detroit’s parks are getting public Wi-Fi; the White House has launched invest.gov; New York continues to up enrollment in broadband program; and more.

With a patchwork of privacy legislation in states like California and Iowa, and an increase in chief privacy officers nationwide, some advocates think the only way forward is a national policy.

Existing data gaps related to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community must be understood and addressed in order for government agencies to equitably serve the needs of constituents regardless of identity.

The U.S. General Services Administration has launched a podcast, and the first episode focuses on the agency’s civic tech work, highlighting the role of the Presidential Innovation Fellows program.

Plus, Mississippi nets more federal funds to connect residents to affordable Internet, Connecticut directs $10 million to upgrade its senior centers, and more.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order a year ago instructing federal agents to begin wearing body cameras. Today, the majority of federal agents in Minnesota are still not wearing them.

U.S. and Canadian officials met in Detroit, Mich., earlier this month to announce the development of the 870-mile Binational EV Corridor that will connect Kalamazoo, Mich., with Quebec, Canada.

Figuring out how to regulate AI is a difficult challenge, and that’s even before tackling the problem of the small number of big companies that control the technology.