New Jersey

Officials in Middletown, N.J., have proposed a policy banning smartphone use in classrooms, bathrooms, locker rooms and most spaces outside of high school free periods, as a statewide ban is discussed.

The agency received a $99.49 million grant to upgrade its Meadowlands Bus Garage. It will enable the 30-year-old facility to house, charge, and maintain electric buses, and increase service.

The state has been an early adopter of artificial intelligence, and is now equipping staff with the skills and knowledge they need to leverage AI securely. Training is free and voluntary.

Cities are no longer seeing their miles of streetscape as cheap parking spaces. Curbs are now considered some of the most in-demand pieces of urban real estate, and technology is stepping up to help manage them.

To build an ethical framework for AI in state government, New Jersey is surveying its employees to engage them in the process of creating a system that uses AI to enhance services and empower workers.

The Borough of Prospect Park has deployed a tool from gov tech startup Polimorphic to respond to incoming telephone calls. The artificial intelligence is helping a small staff connect with residents despite a reduced work week.

As governments grapple with how to roll out generative AI — or whether they even should — policies in Seattle, New Jersey and California aim to to be broad, easy to understand and relevant in the face of change.

Building an AI program is a daunting proposition, but government has to start somewhere. From strengthening cybersecurity to improving 311, a handful of early adopters are finding safe and practical uses.

With a new threat assessment report, state CISO Michael Geraghty recently raised warnings about cyber attacks with systemic impacts, geopolitical hacktivism and more.

CTO Chris Rein discusses the work of adjusting to a fast-evolving tech environment, as well as the progress his state has made on identity access and management, mainframe as a service and data sharing.

RIDE On Demand, a new shared on-demand transit service in Middlesex County, N.J., aims to give riders in the county seat more transit options and reduce traffic congestion. It arrives Tuesday through technology provider Via.

The Innovation Office’s own Dave Cole now steps up to lead it, after former Chief Innovation Officer Beth Noveck departed to become the state’s chief AI strategist.

Recent hacking, phishing and ransomware schemes have wrought havoc on networks at Garden State town halls, hospitals and schools, such as Freehold Township School District, which had to cancel classes on Monday.

Noveck, also serving as the state’s chief innovation officer, takes over the new job as the governor calls for an "AI Moonshot." Her appointment reflects AI hiring trends in other parts of government.

The state government and industry leaders are working with Princeton to launch a research center that will examine how to use artificial intelligence in an ethical manner and train state employees in the technology.

The state of New Jersey and Princeton University are the driving forces behind a newly announced artificial intelligence hub focused on responsible innovations and guidance in the space.

The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety gave New Jersey and 33 other states mediocre marks in its 2024 annual report grading state safety laws. One issue noted in the report was a lack of speed enforcement cameras legislation.

With generative AI poised to reshape the public sector, AI expert Beth Noveck says it's up to gov tech leaders to ensure that its story is one of progress and enhanced services.