News/Gov Tech
Delaware creates first state AI policy for government employees
Delaware's Department of Technology and Information has released its Enterprise Policy on Generative Artificial Intelligence, establishing the first comprehensive guidelines for state employees using AI tools like ChatGPT. The policy addresses growing employee demand for AI assistance while protecting sensitive government data, distinguishing between prohibited public AI tools and approved enterprise solutions that integrate with state security systems. What you should know: The policy creates clear boundaries for when and how Delaware state workers can use generative AI tools in their official duties. Public AI tools like ChatGPT are prohibited for use with confidential data, while enterprise GenAI tools require...
read Jul 29, 2025California launches first AI policy academy for state lawmakers
The California Council on Science and Technology has launched the CCST Legislative Academy on AI, an educational program designed to help state lawmakers and their staff navigate AI policy decisions. The initiative comes as California grapples with over 50 AI-related bills in the 2025 legislative session alone, highlighting the urgent need for informed policymaking in this rapidly evolving field. What you should know: The academy represents California's first comprehensive effort to educate legislators specifically about artificial intelligence and its policy implications. The program is open exclusively to Legislature members and staff at no cost, with initial programming launching this fall....
read Jul 29, 2025Sparsely populated Wyoming’s planned 10-gigawatt AI data center would double state’s power use
Cheyenne, Wyoming officials announced plans for a massive AI data center that would consume more electricity than all of the state's homes combined, with initial power demands of 1.8 gigawatts scaling to 10 gigawatts at full capacity. The project, a joint venture between energy infrastructure company Tallgrass and AI data center developer Crusoe, would fundamentally transform Wyoming from a net energy exporter to a major consumer, requiring dedicated power generation to meet its unprecedented electricity demands. The scale is staggering: The initial 1.8-gigawatt phase alone would consume 15.8 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually—more than five times the electricity used by every household...
read Jul 29, 2025Trump eases water rules for AI data centers after tech lobbying push
The Trump administration has announced AI policy recommendations that include loosening Clean Water Act permitting for data centers, mirroring specific requests made earlier this year by Meta and the Data Center Coalition (DCC), a lobbying group representing tech giants like Google and Amazon Web Services. These environmental rollbacks are embedded within Trump's broader AI Action Plan, which aims to streamline regulatory processes that tech companies argue slow down critical infrastructure development. What you should know: The proposed changes target Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which governs how projects impact federally protected waters during construction. Current 404 permits for...
read Jul 29, 2025Growing Plains: North Dakota’s $100M fund fuels Fargo’s burgeoning AI ecosystem
Fargo, North Dakota is emerging as an unexpected AI innovation hub, driven by a collaborative community culture and strategic state investment programs. The city's tech ecosystem includes startups like Walkwise, which uses AI to predict health risks for seniors, alongside established players like Sanford Health and growing support from accelerators and national events that are drawing attention beyond the Midwest. What you should know: Fargo's AI ecosystem is built on community collaboration rather than traditional Silicon Valley competition models. Peter Chamberlain, an MIT graduate and CEO of Fargo-based Walkwise, attributes this to harsh winters that create "a culture of community...
read Jul 28, 2025Energy Department selects 4 sites to fast-track AI infrastructure
The US Department of Energy has selected four federal sites for a groundbreaking initiative to accelerate artificial intelligence infrastructure development across the country. This marks the first concrete step in a broader federal strategy to leverage government-owned land and existing energy resources for AI data center construction. The initiative addresses a critical bottleneck in AI development: the massive power and infrastructure requirements of modern data centers. Unlike traditional computing facilities, AI data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity—often requiring hundreds of megawatts of continuous power—while demanding ultra-reliable connections and specialized cooling systems. By opening federal sites with existing power infrastructure,...
read Jul 28, 2025“Hey Geraldine”: UK council turns 35-year care expert into AI chatbot to speed hospital discharge
Peterborough City Council has transformed the 35-year expertise of therapy practitioner Geraldine Jinks into an AI chatbot called "Hey Geraldine" to help adult social care staff access her knowledge instantly. The innovative solution addresses the challenge of Jinks being overwhelmed with daily questions from colleagues while aiming to speed up hospital discharge processes and improve patient care efficiency. How it works: The AI chatbot replicates Jinks' conversational style and expertise to provide immediate responses to practice-based questions. Staff can ask contextual questions like "I am working with a person who is forgetting to turn the oven off. What is available...
read Jul 24, 2025TXShare connects 77 vetted AI vendors with Texas cities lacking tech expertise
The North Central Texas Council of Governments has launched TXShare, a curated marketplace featuring 77 vetted AI vendors serving over 70 use cases for Texas cities and local governments nationwide. The platform eliminates the need for cities to draft complex RFPs in areas where they lack technical expertise, streamlining AI procurement while ensuring vendor quality through rigorous vetting processes. What you should know: TXShare addresses a critical gap in local government AI adoption by providing pre-vetted suppliers and eliminating procurement complexity. The marketplace includes 42 awardees for AI technology solutions in areas like cybersecurity, and 35 awardees for AI consultancy...
read Jul 24, 2025Trump’s AI bias crackdown targets tech giants with $200M federal contracts
President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring companies with US government contracts to make their AI models "free from ideological bias," but experts warn the vague requirements could allow the administration to impose its own worldview on tech companies. The directive targets major AI developers including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, who hold federal contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, while raising questions about the technical feasibility and global implications of politically steering AI systems. What you should know: Trump's AI Action Plan specifically targets what the administration calls "woke" AI bias in federal contracting. The plan recommends...
read Jul 24, 2025Georgia Tech receives $20M to build AI-integrated Nexus supercomputer
Georgia Tech has received a $20 million federal grant to build Nexus, a new supercomputer designed to integrate high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and visualization capabilities into a single system. The supercomputer aims to make advanced computing more accessible for researchers nationwide and could lead to breakthroughs in quantum materials design and brain research. What makes Nexus unique: Unlike traditional supercomputers that require researchers to jump between different machines for different tasks, Nexus will provide multiple computing capabilities in one integrated system. "What is unique about Nexus is that it is going to be designed to provide high-performance computing,...
read Jul 24, 2025Chip 5400, where are you? Trump administration proposes location tracking for advanced AI chips
The Trump administration has recommended implementing location verification technology for advanced AI chips to prevent them from reaching foreign adversaries like China. The proposal, part of a broader AI blueprint released Wednesday, received bipartisan support from lawmakers who have introduced similar legislation to track semiconductors after they're sold. What you should know: The recommendation aims to ensure that advanced AI chips from companies like Nvidia and AMD don't end up in restricted countries despite export controls. The administration wants to "explore leveraging new and existing location verification features on advanced AI compute to ensure that the chips are not in...
read Jul 24, 2025Trump’s AI Action Plan prioritizes open-source models, reshapes government tech
President Donald Trump signed the AI Action Plan, establishing an "open-weight first" approach to artificial intelligence development that explicitly supports open-source AI models and removes regulatory barriers for government AI adoption. The plan signals a fundamental shift from the previous administration's cautious regulatory stance, potentially accelerating enterprise AI deployment while creating new compliance challenges for businesses working with federal agencies. What you should know: The Action Plan restructures how government agencies can contract with AI providers and sets clear priorities for American AI leadership. The plan removes references to misinformation and diversity, equity and inclusion from National Institute of Standards...
read Jul 23, 2025Trump suspends environmental reviews to accelerate AI data center construction
Environmental advocates warned Wednesday that the AI data center boom is driving up electricity costs for consumers and increasing pollution, as the Trump administration unveiled executive orders to accelerate data center construction by suspending environmental reviews. The warnings came during an event organized by Senator Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, as the White House released its "America's AI Action Plan," emphasizing the need to "Build, Baby, Build!" AI infrastructure without "radical climate dogma." What they're saying: Environmental attorneys highlighted how data centers are imposing costs on local communities without proper oversight. "Data centers are extremely power hungry and can put...
read Jul 23, 2025NSF unveils 4 major AI initiatives to boost U.S. research leadership
The National Science Foundation has announced a series of major AI initiatives that align with the White House's AI Action Plan, signaling a coordinated federal push to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. The initiatives span foundational AI research, infrastructure development, and real-world testing capabilities, positioning NSF as a key player in America's AI competitiveness strategy. What you should know: NSF Chief of Staff Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF Director, outlined four major initiatives the foundation will unveil in the coming weeks. New NSF AI Research Institutes will accelerate breakthroughs in foundational AI and applications across health,...
read Jul 23, 2025Trump suspends environmental reviews to speed AI data center construction
Environmental advocates warned Wednesday that AI data centers are driving up electricity costs for consumers and increasing pollution, as the Trump administration unveiled executive orders to accelerate data center construction by suspending environmental reviews. The concerns highlight a growing tension between AI infrastructure demands and environmental protection, with communities in states like Virginia, Tennessee, and Indiana already experiencing higher utility rates and air quality issues from the power-hungry facilities. What you should know: Data centers require massive amounts of electricity, forcing utilities to build new power plants and transmission lines whose costs are shared by all customers. In Virginia, which...
read Jul 23, 2025Trump unveils 28-page “try-first” AI plan to slash regulations and boost federal adoption
President Donald Trump has unveiled a comprehensive "AI Action Plan" that aims to accelerate American AI development while removing regulatory barriers and promoting "objective truth" in AI systems. The 28-page document, released Wednesday ahead of Trump's appearance at a Washington DC tech event, establishes three core pillars: accelerating AI innovation, building American AI infrastructure, and leading international AI diplomacy and security. What you should know: The plan seeks to fundamentally reshape how the US approaches AI regulation and development through aggressive deregulation and federal adoption. Trump is expected to sign related executive orders this week to implement the plan's key...
read Jul 23, 2025Trump unveils AI strategy targeting China while promoting open-source models
The White House has unveiled a new artificial intelligence policy plan aimed at achieving "global dominance" in the AI sector, with President Donald Trump calling for open-source AI models to be freely available worldwide. The plan also directs the Commerce Department to investigate Chinese AI models for potential alignment with Communist Party messaging and restricts federal AI funding to states with burdensome regulations. Key policy priorities: The administration's strategy centers on promoting open AI development while scrutinizing foreign competitors. Open-source and open-weight AI models should be made freely available by developers for global download and modification. The Commerce Department will...
read Jul 22, 2025Trump’s $500B AI bet trades safety oversight for China competition
The Trump administration's approach to artificial intelligence regulation has fundamentally shifted America's AI policy landscape, prioritizing innovation and competitiveness over safety oversight. Since taking office in January, President Trump has systematically dismantled predecessor policies while positioning the United States for what his administration frames as a critical technological race with China. This transformation culminated Wednesday with the release of the AI Action Plan, a 20-page policy document that emphasizes "promoting innovation, reducing regulatory burdens and overhauling permitting" while notably avoiding contentious issues like copyright protections for AI training data. The plan emerged alongside Trump's speech at a summit featuring leaders...
read Jul 22, 2025“God this is nuts.” Florida police wrongfully arrest man using 93% AI facial recognition match.
Police in Florida wrongfully arrested Robert Dillon based on a 93% facial recognition match, charging him with attempting to lure a 12-year-old child despite his complete innocence. The case highlights growing concerns about AI-powered policing tools that lack constitutional probable cause standards and enable law enforcement agencies to avoid accountability through jurisdictional buck-passing. What happened: The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Jacksonville Beach Police Department used facial recognition software to identify Dillon as a suspect in a November 2023 child luring case, leading to his arrest in August 2024. AI software flagged Dillon as a "93 percent match" to surveillance footage...
read Jul 22, 2025UK government partners with OpenAI to deploy AI across public services
OpenAI has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK government to deploy artificial intelligence across public services, including education, defense, security, and the justice system. The deal could give OpenAI access to government data while positioning AI as a cornerstone of the Labour government's strategy to revive the UK's stagnant economy, which grew just 0.1% to 0.2% in the second quarter. What you should know: The agreement establishes a framework for AI integration across critical government functions while promising safeguards for public protection. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized that "AI will be fundamental in driving change" in the UK...
read Jul 21, 2025Reading, writing, AI-rithmetic: Louisiana opens first K-5 school designed around AI education
Preston Castille, a Louisiana education leader, has opened the Helix AI and Medical Academy in Opelousas, marking the first new school built in the parish in decades. The 40,000-square-foot facility will teach K-5 students how to utilize artificial intelligence and prepare for AI-driven job markets, with classes beginning in August 2025. The big picture: This represents one of the first elementary schools in the United States specifically designed around AI education, reflecting how educational institutions are adapting to integrate emerging technologies into core curriculum from an early age. Key details: The school can accommodate up to 600 students and focuses...
read Jul 21, 2025Trump targets AI “bias” with executive order threatening $200M in contracts
The Trump administration is planning an executive order that would require AI companies receiving federal contracts to ensure their chatbots are "politically neutral and unbiased," targeting what officials perceive as "liberal bias" in AI models. This move could jeopardize up to $200 million in Defense Department contracts recently awarded to major AI firms including Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, and xAI. What you should know: The executive order specifically targets AI systems deemed "woke" by the administration and comes amid broader efforts to boost US competitiveness against China in artificial intelligence. The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), the Pentagon's AI...
read Jul 18, 2025Georgia opens AI Innovation Lab for ethical government testing
Georgia's technology department officially opened its Innovation Lab this week, creating a dedicated space for ethical AI experimentation aimed at advancing public service. The facility provides state agencies, cities, counties, and school systems with a hands-on, low-risk environment to test AI use cases before deployment, addressing widespread apprehension about AI adoption through collaboration and transparency. What you should know: The Innovation Lab occupies the entire seventh floor of the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) headquarters and offers three sandbox environments powered by major cloud providers. The lab runs on Amazon Web Services, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms, pre-loaded with sample data...
read Jul 18, 2025San Jose cuts bus commute times 20% with AI traffic lights, hopes to become AI capital
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is positioning the Silicon Valley city as a leading AI capital by implementing artificial intelligence solutions in city operations and working to retain local tech talent. The initiative comes as San Jose already serves as a burgeoning AI hub, with the mayor now focusing on scaling successful pilot programs and integrating AI more deeply into government services. What you should know: San Jose has successfully deployed AI-powered traffic optimization systems that have significantly improved public transportation efficiency. Nearly 150 stoplights across the city are equipped with AI tools designed to optimize bus routes and reduce...
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