Policy

The federal agency wants to encourage more use of air taxis and drones, including for emergency services. The FAA is seeking proposals from state and local governments — ideas that could eventually scale.

Education officials say Missouri's statewide cellphone ban at public and charter schools has brought consistency, focus and more social interaction. Some students agree, while others say they feel bored or limited.

Former Vice Admiral Timothy “T.J.” White has been chosen to helm the new state-level cybersecurity agency, Gov. Greg Abbott’s office announced. He was most recently commander of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command.

Veteran technologist Alison Deigan, who spent two decades in federal service and oversaw a $150 million technology portfolio, has been appointed the county’s new IT director. The role, she said, has personal significance.

The new plan includes revised policy informed by the nearly 40 AI pilot projects already underway. The city will also be hiring a new AI leadership position to implement the updated plan.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has released a legislative framework that would let AI developers waive some regulations in an effort to advance new technologies, but experts warn there are privacy and security risks.

Among 37 researchers and entrepreneurs who responded to a survey, only one described the Trump administration’s changes as mostly positive. Many said it will take time to grasp the full impact of what's happening.

A new study by HERE Technologies and SBD Automotive ranks the electric vehicle market in all 50 states, offering insights into the rate of EV adoption and strength of the public charging landscape.

Plus, Hawaii has announced a Digital Aloha Month campaign, California is piloting improvements to an affordable broadband initiative, Santa Barbara launched a digital resource hub, and more.

Citing statutory authority and oversight concerns, the Federal Communications Commission may roll back COVID-era expansions to the E-rate program that funded take-home Wi-Fi hot spots and Wi-Fi on school buses.

With an executive order, Gov. Josh Stein has stood up an AI Leadership Council and Accelerator to shape policy, ethics and training, bringing together leaders from government, education and technology.

Several municipalities are underway with regulations that seek to provide some protection as data center projects proliferate. Middlesex Township could be an early test model for how such a campus might work.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has signed legislation that amends a previously passed state AI law. The original aims to enact safeguards against high-risk AI systems, while the new bill delays enforcement.

Losses include the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center, which offers resources to schools to prepare for cyber attacks, active shooters and other emergency disruptions.

A new survey from Boston University revealed that respondents support enacting protections against deepfakes — AI-generated images or videos depicting something that did not happen. Their backing is bipartisan.

The Delaware Department of Technology and Information has promoted a leader in enterprise security operations to the top cybersecurity role in the state. A longtime exec, he previously held it on an interim basis.

Plus, members of Congress are calling for clarity on the use of nondeployment funds under the BEAD Program, New York is investing millions in broadband, and people who are incarcerated are learning digital skills.

Collaboration across sectors and at the state and local level, along with education and information campaigns, and infrastructure rebates could help electric vehicle use speed up, experts said.