News/Gov Tech
NYPD taps FDNY to bypass facial recognition ban
The NYPD circumvented its facial recognition ban by using the New York Fire Department to identify a pro-Palestinian protester at Columbia University, according to court documents and a recent lawsuit. The arrangement allowed police to access Clearview AI facial recognition technology and DMV records that are typically restricted under NYPD policy, raising significant concerns about surveillance oversight and government accountability. What happened: Fire marshals used Clearview AI to identify Zuhdi Ahmed, a 21-year-old CUNY pre-med student, after he was accused of throwing a rock at a pro-Israeli protester during April 2024 demonstrations at Columbia University. The FDNY searched social media...
read Jul 17, 2025UK launches Isambard-AI, Britain’s most powerful supercomputer
The UK's most powerful supercomputer, Isambard-AI, has been made fully operational in Bristol, with Technology Secretary Peter Kyle officially launching the machine as part of the government's expanded AI strategy. The supercomputer will join Cambridge's Dawn machine to form the UK's "AI Research Resource," designed to tackle public challenges like reducing NHS waiting lists and developing climate change solutions while positioning Britain as an "AI maker rather than an AI taker." What you should know: Isambard-AI represents a significant leap in the UK's public AI computing capacity, built with cutting-edge hardware and substantial government investment. The supercomputer uses more than...
read Jul 17, 2025NSF invests $20M in AI supercomputer despite 57% budget cut
The US National Science Foundation is financing a $20-million supercomputer at Georgia Institute of Technology despite facing a proposed 57% budget cut under the Trump administration. The supercomputer, called Nexus, will use AI to advance scientific research across multiple disciplines and represents one of the NSF's most significant funding commitments since the administration proposed slashing its budget from $6.8 billion to $3.9 billion. What you should know: Nexus will be one of the most powerful supercomputers dedicated to AI-driven scientific research, capable of calculating more than 400 quadrillion operations per second. The supercomputer is designed to find new cures for...
read Jul 17, 2025Ohio requires all K-12 schools to create AI policies by 2026 but is down on phones in class
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 96 into law this week, requiring all K-12 school districts to create artificial intelligence usage policies by July 1, 2026, and implement cellphone restrictions starting in January. The legislation also establishes a $100,000 grant program for community colleges to integrate AI into their programs, marking a comprehensive effort to modernize education while addressing digital distractions in classrooms. What you should know: The new law creates a two-step process for AI policy development in Ohio schools. By December 31, 2025, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce must release a model AI policy addressing...
read Jul 16, 2025DOGE employee accidentally leaks xAI API key exposing 52 private AI models
A 25-year-old federal government employee accidentally leaked a sensitive xAI API key to GitHub, potentially exposing access to 52 private large language models including Grok-4. The breach raises serious concerns about data security and national security, as the employee had high-level clearance and access to sensitive databases used by agencies like the Department of Justice, Homeland Security, and the Social Security Administration. What happened: Marko Elez, a software developer with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), accidentally uploaded xAI credentials to GitHub while working on a script titled agent.py. The leaked key granted access to at least 52 private large...
read Jul 16, 2025Rakuten builds memory-enhanced Japanese AI model with government backing
Rakuten has been selected for the third phase of Japan's government-backed Generative AI Accelerator Challenge (GENIAC), a program supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The Japanese tech giant plans to develop an open-weight Japanese language model with enhanced memory capabilities, positioning itself to create more personalized AI applications across its business ecosystem while contributing to Japan's domestic AI research capacity. What you should know: Rakuten will focus on creating a lightweight, memory-augmented Japanese language model using a Mixture of Experts architecture starting in August 2025. The model...
read Jul 16, 2025China takes the plunge with $223M wind-powered underwater data center off Shanghai
China has launched construction of a wind-powered underwater data center six miles off the coast of Shanghai, marking a significant expansion of its pioneering approach to ocean-based computing infrastructure. The project represents China's bid to address the massive water consumption challenges facing AI and cloud computing while positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable digital infrastructure. The big picture: China is pulling ahead of other nations in deploying underwater data centers as an alternative cooling solution for AI computing, moving from pilot projects to commercial-scale deployments in less than 30 months. Why this matters: Traditional data centers consume hundreds...
read Jul 16, 2025Voltage Park donates 1M GPU hours to boost US AI research
The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced a new partnership with Voltage Park to expand the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot, a public-private initiative designed to boost American AI innovation and competitiveness. Voltage Park, a company focused on broadening access to AI infrastructure, will contribute one million NVIDIA H100 GPU hours to help researchers nationwide pursue breakthrough AI innovations across science, engineering, health, climate, and other fields. What you should know: The NAIRR pilot is a two-year proof-of-concept launched in 2024 to inform the development of a full-scale national AI research infrastructure. The pilot connects researchers to computational,...
read Jul 15, 2025Trump announces $90B AI investment push led by Google’s $25B commitment
President Donald Trump announced more than $90 billion in AI and energy investments at Pennsylvania's inaugural Energy and Innovation Summit on Tuesday, with Google leading the commitments through a $25 billion data center and AI infrastructure investment. The announcement positions Pennsylvania as a major AI hub while aligning with Trump's broader energy agenda in a key gas-producing state. The big picture: The investments represent a significant push to establish Pennsylvania as a central location for AI infrastructure development, combining the state's energy resources with cutting-edge technology investments. Key commitments: Google is making the largest financial commitment with multiple billion-dollar investments....
read Jul 15, 2025Tech giants launch $23M NYC-based academy to train teachers on AI
OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic have partnered with major teachers' unions to launch the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will train K-12 educators on classroom AI integration starting this fall. The program aims to influence how millions of teachers approach AI tools, though it faces significant skepticism from educators concerned about AI's impact on critical thinking and academic integrity. What you should know: The academy will operate from a New York City headquarters and focus on training teachers to use AI for both instruction and administrative tasks like lesson planning and report writing. The initiative is...
read Jul 14, 2025Pentagon awards Anthropic $200M for national security AI
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Anthropic a two-year, $200 million prototype agreement to develop frontier AI capabilities for national security applications. This partnership marks a significant expansion of Anthropic's government work, building on existing deployments across defense and intelligence agencies while positioning the company as a key AI provider for sensitive federal operations. What you should know: The agreement with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) will focus on creating AI prototypes tailored specifically for defense missions. Anthropic will work directly with the DOD to identify high-impact applications for frontier AI and develop working prototypes fine-tuned...
read Jul 14, 2025San Francisco deploys Microsoft Copilot AI to all 30K city employees
San Francisco has rolled out Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant to all 30,000 city employees, marking one of the largest municipal AI deployments in the United States. The initiative represents a significant step in public sector AI adoption, with Mayor Daniel Lurie leading the charge to modernize city operations through artificial intelligence tools. What you should know: This deployment makes San Francisco one of the first major cities to provide AI assistance to its entire workforce at scale. The rollout covers all 30,000 municipal employees across various departments and functions. Mayor Daniel Lurie is championing the initiative as part of the...
read Jul 14, 2025Pentagon awards Musk’s xAI multi-million dollar contract despite Grok controversy
The Department of Defense has awarded Elon Musk's xAI company a multi-million dollar contract to use its Grok AI chatbot for government operations, despite the platform facing criticism just a week earlier for generating antisemitic responses. The contract comes as part of a broader Pentagon initiative to integrate AI capabilities across federal agencies, with similar deals granted to Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI worth up to $200 million each. What you should know: xAI launched "Grok for Government," a specialized suite of AI tools designed for federal, state, and local government use. The government package includes Grok 4, Deep Search, Tool...
read Jul 14, 2025Power out? AI in! California grid operator to deploy AI for power outage management
California's statewide power grid operator is poised to become the first in North America to deploy artificial intelligence to manage outages, with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) set to announce a pilot program using new AI software called Genie. The move represents a significant shift from the surprisingly analog processes currently used to manage the state's electrical system, potentially paving the way for broader AI automation across America's aging power infrastructure. What you should know: CAISO will announce the pilot program at the DTECH Midwest utility industry summit on July 15, partnering with energy-services giant OATI to test AI-powered...
read Jul 14, 2025UK’s NHS AI-powered heart patches double diagnosis rates at home
The NHS has started rolling out a new at-home heart monitor designed to detect heart rhythm problems, with the device being able to be posted directly to patients for self-attachment. The innovation aims to double productivity levels for diagnosing heart conditions while reducing hospital waiting lists and eliminating the need for trained physiologists to set up traditional monitoring equipment. How it works: The ePatch system represents a significant departure from traditional Holter monitors that require extensive hospital-based setup. The device is a small patch that adheres to the skin, replacing traditional monitors that hook patients up to numerous wires during...
read Jul 14, 2025Swedish party shuts down AI campaign tool after Hitler greeting exploit
Sweden's Moderate Party shut down an AI service that generated personalized video greetings from Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson after users exploited it to create messages for Adolf Hitler and other notorious figures. The campaign tool, launched ahead of the 2026 election, lacked proper content filters and allowed inappropriate names to bypass security measures, forcing the party to take immediate action when the misuse was discovered. What happened: The AI service was designed to create personalized recruitment videos where Kristersson would hold signs with names and encourage people to join the party. TV4 News, a Swedish television network, tested the system...
read Jul 11, 202581% of citizens lose trust when governments use AI for public services, says study
A new study reveals that government use of artificial intelligence significantly erodes public trust and democratic control, with over 81% of citizens reporting loss of democratic control when aware of AI risks. The research highlights a critical disconnect between governments eager to automate processes and citizens who become increasingly resistant once they understand the potential consequences of AI decision-making in public services. The study's findings: Researchers at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich surveyed approximately 1,200 UK citizens about their attitudes toward AI in government tasks like tax processing, welfare applications, and bail assessments. When participants learned about both AI benefits...
read Jul 11, 2025Indonesia launches AI Center of Excellence with NVIDIA and Cisco to build sovereign capabilities
Indonesia has launched an AI Center of Excellence in partnership with NVIDIA, Cisco, and telecommunications leader Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison to advance the nation's sovereign AI capabilities. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs, aims to foster local AI research, develop indigenous talent, and drive innovation through collaboration with startups as part of Indonesia's "Golden 2045 Vision" for digital transformation. What you should know: The AI Center of Excellence will feature comprehensive infrastructure and training programs designed to make Indonesia an AI creator rather than just a consumer. A new NVIDIA AI Technology Center will provide research...
read Jul 10, 2025Florida schools pilot AI tutoring across 30 campuses this fall
Pasco County, Florida, schools are piloting artificial intelligence programs across 30 campuses this fall to help teachers personalize education and analyze student performance data. The district is testing two AI platforms—Scholar Education for elementary schools and Khanmigo for middle and high schools—both offered free of charge to evaluate their effectiveness before potentially committing to paid services. What you should know: The AI initiative aims to reduce teachers' administrative workload while enhancing individualized instruction for students. Scholar Education, a state-funded startup, will provide elementary teachers with AI tools to analyze student performance data, identify learning gaps, and create personalized assignments based...
read Jul 10, 2025London and Singapore test AI systems to assist air traffic controllers
Aviation authorities in London and Singapore are testing AI systems that could assist or potentially replace human air traffic controllers, following a series of high-profile accidents including the recent collision near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people. The trials aim to determine whether artificial intelligence can reduce human error and improve safety in increasingly congested airspace, though experts remain divided on the risks and benefits of automation in air traffic control. What you should know: AI-powered systems are being tested at major international airports to enhance air traffic control operations through continuous monitoring and early conflict detection. The U.K.'s...
read Jul 10, 2025Microsoft, OpenAI invest $23M in teachers’ union amid education cuts
Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic have collectively invested $23 million into the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the second-largest teachers' union in the US, to establish an AI training center for educators. This unprecedented funding from major AI companies comes as the education sector faces severe budget constraints, with the Trump administration cutting nearly $7 billion in public school funding while simultaneously threatening to dismantle the Department of Education entirely. The big picture: Tech companies are strategically positioning themselves within cash-strapped educational institutions, creating long-term dependencies while the sector struggles with funding cuts and political uncertainty. Key details: The National Academy...
read Jul 9, 2025Polimorphic raises $18.6M to bring AI chatbots to local governments
New York-based startup Polimorphic has raised $18.6 million in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered chatbots and support services for local governments. The round, led by General Catalyst with participation from M13 and Shine, brings the company's total funding to $28 million as it targets a market that Silicon Valley has historically overlooked despite its critical need for technological modernization. Why this matters: Local governments face a severe staffing crisis and work overload, with administrative employees bogged down in routine tasks that could be automated while more impactful community work falls through the cracks. "Folks underestimate how critical a...
read Jul 9, 2025South Korea builds out $19.9M micro data centers for domestic AI chips
South Korea's government is launching a KRW27.3 billion ($19.9 million) initiative to build micro data centers powered by domestically manufactured AI chips, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises, hospitals, and public institutions across non-metropolitan regions. The project aims to reduce dependence on US firms like Nvidia while providing local AI chipmakers such as Furiosa AI and Rebellions with real-world deployment opportunities to prove their technology in commercial settings. What you should know: The Ministry of Science and ICT will lead the construction of container-based data centers in regional areas from 2025 through 2029. These modular micro data centers integrate compute, storage,...
read Jul 7, 2025British NHS hospitals use AI to cut MRI scan times by 15 minutes
NHS hospitals in Hull are using AI technology to dramatically reduce MRI scan times, allowing them to see significantly more patients each day. The Air Recon Deep Learning (ARDL) software uses algorithms to reduce background noise and achieve sharper images in shorter timeframes, cutting scan times by 10-15 minutes while maintaining the same imaging quality. What you should know: The AI software has been installed on existing MRI machines at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, with plans to expand to Scunthorpe General Hospital and Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby. Key improvements: The technology has delivered substantial...
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