Training

Officials have extended the availability of Google’s Gemini platform to nearly 43,000 state employees. So far, around 12,500 are actively using its generative AI features in government work.

Memphis, Tenn., Deputy CIO Augustine Boateng said that as cyber threats become more sophisticated, AI-powered tools can help local government keep up.

First responders from nearly a dozen communities spent the weekend training with Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, which included lectures and full drills to practice for real-world events.

The education sector has seen a swift rise in cybersecurity incidents since 2024, but training, awareness and tools can help ease incidents and response time.

Officials announced that the state has joined the OpenAI Certification Program through a partnership with OpenAI that will bolster AI skills in workers and students. It builds on an earlier initiative, the OpenAI Academy.

Training poses deadly risks for firefighters. Researchers are experimenting with new augmented and virtual reality technologies to allow first responders to learn life-saving skills without risking their own.

A program in several northeastern states is attempting to bridge training gaps for EV technicians in disadvantaged communities. The endeavor, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, focuses on the need for municipal fleet mechanics.

New emergency dispatch tools that offer automated services are more important than ever amid staffing shortages in law enforcement and emergency call centers.

The state announced the release earlier this month of a course on using generative artificial intelligence, for public-sector staffers in New Jersey and elsewhere. More coursework is coming later this summer.

The drill gives residents the opportunity to make a tornado plan and test it, which is key to preparedness. Tornadoes provide an average lead time of 10 to 15 minutes, requiring quick action.

Both states are leveraging digital platforms to centralize job prospects, skills data and educational opportunities in the hopes of creating strong talent pipelines to address job access, training and education barriers for residents.

A nine-session series on how businesses can effectively mitigate, respond to and recover from an active shooter or other mass casualty event could make a big difference in an emergency.

The training workshop aims to teach K-12 and post-secondary students the fundamentals of app development without the need for complex coding, according to an announcement from organizers.

Crisis intervention training in Bucks County, Pa., now utilizes virtual reality to give police officers a more realistic view into interactions that involve individuals with mental health challenges.

The center, which would be located within the Iowa State University of Science and Technology, would focus on training different groups to prevent cyber attacks and deal with active threats.

As more public agencies turn to digital tools, Google has released a new cloud-based resource to help government agencies and universities set up cloud environments for the development and testing of new technology.

A study published by the National Association of School Resource Officers may indicate that most SROs seek to engage school administrators before making an arrest, but there's still opposition to their presence on campuses.

Plus, Philadelphia reports progress in getting residents connected to the Internet, Cleveland has a new program to connect residents to resources, an online map lets residents get involved with redistricting work, and more.