Policy

Confronting post-pandemic challenges, leaders and planners in local government and philanthropy reshape their landscapes through partnerships and innovation. Mayors serve as critical connectors.

If it passes, a bill making its way through the Senate would task the state education commissioner with developing a model policy for New Jersey's more than 600 districts, while affording them flexibility with specifics.

The bipartisan House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence has issued findings and recommendations in 15 areas including data privacy and national security. Humans, it said, should be at the center of AI policy.

A massive car-charging plaza is being developed in California, while Colorado is moving forward with a high-speed charging network. And the electric vehicle industry is gravitating toward a single charging standard.

The company and the Ohio governor’s office announced the plan, which will enable Amazon to enlarge its data centers outside of central Ohio to new sites around the state. Locations of new data centers have not been finalized.

To make well-paying careers more accessible to those without four-year degrees, Gov. Gavin Newsom this week unveiled a California Master Plan for Career Education to encourage work-based learning and workforce training.

Shy of eliminating the department altogether, the incoming president could drive out staff who possess institutional knowledge, end federal guidance on key issues, close specific offices and curtail their functions.

Officials from the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation offered measured hope and little guarantees during a recent discussion that the federal government would remain committed to advancing adoption of electric vehicles.

State and local agencies have until Dec. 31 to commit federal funds they received through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund as part of the response to the pandemic. Anything not obligated must be returned.

The Georgia city is the latest local government to set up an AI study group, which could lead to municipal improvements. But before that happens, the commission might have to make it through several hurdles.

This year, 18 states passed laws that make clear that sexual deepfakes depicting minors are a crime. Experts say schools should update their policies to account for these AI-generated images as well.

After a year of trying to refocus and relaunch the robotaxi program following an October 2023 pedestrian crash, the automaker will instead shutter Cruise. GM will pivot to focus on delivering autonomous tech in personal vehicles.

Many organizations have incorporated technology into their hiring processes. The Center for Democracy and Technology studied how one hiring technology — digitized assessments — impacts job seekers with disabilities.

Autonomous robots delivering Uber Eats orders are hitting downtown Dallas sidewalks this month, and city officials say they have limited options for ensuring the self-driving machines are good operators.

A former public school teacher filed a proposal last week for the upcoming 2025 session that would require public school districts and charters to adopt policies that largely prohibit use of smartphones during class.

Gov tech officials have joined the GovAI Coalition, formed late last year, to collectively shape policies and best practices for introducing AI-enabled tools. They're looking to flank the fast-moving technology.

The 2024 Republican platform could have a ripple effect on climate change research. Two California university researchers say the next four years will be stressful, but technological innovations give them hope.

The environmental costs of using artificial intelligence tools is an area of growing concern for government technology officials. Transparency from vendors can shed light on their energy and water usage.