Massachusetts

The UMass Lowell Innovation Hub Haverhill created the Digital Equity Challenge pitch contest to find community-based solutions that make it easier for people to access digital resources and opportunities.

With policies and guardrails in development around the country on responsible use of generative AI, Massachusetts and Georgia are creating environments where agencies can safely find real-world uses for the emerging tech.

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection will dedicate new funding to nearly double the number of PurpleAir sensors being deployed in communities to detect fine particulate matter.

CyberTrust Massachusetts is launching new cyber assessment and monitoring services, which will give the state's cities and towns access to new capabilities to help reverse the trend of escalating cyber attacks.

Plus, support remains strong for continuing the Affordable Connectivity Program, a Massachusetts planning program expands and Alabama gets $150 million in broadband funding.

The Digital Equity Challenge invites individuals with ideas that address the Internet divide to enter the annual pitch contest, which will award $10,000 in cash prizes to the most promising solutions.

Plus, Maine is the first state to have its digital equity plan accepted, the NTCA is calling for a more effective challenge process for the national broadband map, and more.

This week, Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order to establish the Artificial Intelligence Strategic Task Force in order to better understand the potential impacts of AI and GenAI.

Ashley Bloom, the state's first chief IT accessibility officer, shared that she is approaching the role with the mindset that accessibility should be integrated into all of the state's IT work.

School in Chicopee, Longmeadow, Springfield and Westfield are among 23 districts and other public agencies scheduled for cybersecurity awareness training through the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey recently unveiled a new initiative via executive order that is intended to dramatically increase access to state jobs and reduce reliance on college degrees.

Massachusetts has appointed Ashley Bloom as the state’s new chief IT accessibility officer, a role in which she will be responsible for improving the accessibility of the state’s digital services.

The bill as currently written would maintain funding for tech modernization and single sign-on projects while also putting aside money for potential AI work in the future.

Thanks to a drone waiver granted by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division is able to more nimbly keep track of the state's entire rail network.

A new report has found that Massachusetts has some key strengths — especially related to research — but could benefit from a clear quantum strategy and efforts to bring stakeholders together in collaboration.

The MassHire board identified transportation as the No. 1 barrier to employment in its region, and the pilot provides low-cost, point-to-point, microtransit options to employees at a $2-per-ride price.

Massachusetts demolished its staffed toll plazas in 2016, replacing them with electronic tolling arches, where cameras read license plates as vehicles speed by and drivers are automatically billed.

The state security operations center will now assist municipalities during cyber incidents. The state is also expanding its SOC/Range Initiative to give higher ed students hands-on experience defending local government.