Items selected from blogs posted on the Internet through the week ending April 4, 2025

 

Is There a Robot in Your Future? Recent developments in humanoid robots are grabbing plenty of global attention. Here are some intriguing robot developments and why we all need to pay attention. READ MORE   2 More States Ban DeepSeek From State Devices, Citing Risks Alabama and Oklahoma are the latest states to block AI tools with overseas ties from being used on government devices. Concerns include a lack of security as well as data collection and storage practices. READ MORE Pennsylvania’s GenAI Pilot: Efficiency by the Numbers The Pennsylvania Generative AI Pilot Program report revealed that the technology can save employees time — on average, 95 minutes a day — and simplify tasks, but human nuance remains essential for effective use. READ MORE   With Industry, FedRAMP 20x Looks to Accelerate Cloud Adoption The U.S. General Services Administration’s Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, known as FedRAMP, will develop and implement a new approach to authorizations to make them easier and cheaper. READ MORE   Report: Privacy-Enhancing Tech Protects Government Data Data plays an essential role in governance, and a new report from the Open Technology Institute illuminates an urgent need for public-sector adoption of technologies that help enable secure use of data. READ MORE Building for the Future: Public Sector Workforce Technology Trends With increasing pressure on public sector leaders, technology is transforming workforce safety, efficiency, and resilience. DOWNLOAD THE REPORT On-demand webinar: Experts break down how to: Automate records management and free up staff time; Cut down on records requests with a self-service portal; Stay compliant—without added complexity Watch now  Reflecting on Detroit's Return as a City of Hope A land of opportunity decades ago, Detroit fell into decline, but its revival is heartening. READ MORE   Hopes for Offshore Wind Are Blowing Away Legal challenges, economic factors and Trump administration policies are all creating problems for commercial wind farms. READ MORE   President Turns Toward Forced Treatment of Homeless Individuals The administration is shifting resources away from Housing First, the long-established approach of getting individuals into supportive housing as the first priority. READ MORE   Texas to Spend Billions Addressing Water Shortage Legislators have made water a priority this session, with the state falling short of ever-increasing demand. Ideas for addressing the problem range from conservation to desalination. READ MORE Streamline operations, free up resources for a safer community Smarter technologies to streamline operations, reduce costs, and free up resources for what matters most. Get your guide. Where Are State DOGE Groups? A Map of Efficiency Initiatives A Government Technology tracker of the evolving landscape of state government efficiency initiatives, distinguishing between those directly inspired by federal DOGE directives and independent programs. READ MORE   What the FedRAMP Updates Mean for States and Localities   Security experts are currently tuned in to FedRAMP program changes and the potential impact on the way businesses work with government agencies. Some outcomes from its emerging 20x initiative will likely take time to become clear. READ MORE   Boulder City, County Use Tech to Bring Aid to Coloradans In separate endeavors with the technology company AidKit, Boulder County and the city of Boulder are simplifying how they deliver financial relief to residents, child-care providers and nonprofits. READ MORE   Report: Local Governments Face Stiff Obstacles on Web Access As DOGE-driven cuts target services for people with disabilities, a new report finds that local government officials have bought into the concept of more accessibility. Even so, those officials see significant hurdles. READ MORE   Opinion: AI Laws Should Empower Innovation, Not Stifle It The Virginia governor's veto of a measure that would have regulated artificial intelligence, and the revision of an AI governance bill in Texas, signal a potentially noteworthy juncture in the creation of such policy. READ MORE  What's Behind the Push to Revive Nuclear Power? Increasing demand for power is leading lawmakers to promote an energy source that's languished for decades. READ MORE