Julia Edinger

The city will deploy groups of technologists to work with its agencies on public interest challenges that can benefit from tech. First up is a solution helping enforce the city’s new “Click to Cancel” law.

Plus, a new resource calls on local governments to invest in digital inclusion programming, Massachusetts is distributing 5,000 devices, a new bill aims to connect rural communities to broadband, and more.

Governments such as Minnesota working to improve digital map accessibility — both to comply with federal standards and improve the user experience — are sharing insights to help others do the same.

Organizations in the public sector and elsewhere are leading efforts to expand AI literacy in their workforces. Several trends are emerging in terms of what topics and skills to include.

Cities and others are leading efforts to expand AI literacy beyond their own staff. Community members, however, may be seeking different skills from these initiatives than government employees.

Plus, a new program aims to connect telecommunications employers with potential candidates, new legislation could address broadband mapping, California is investing in infrastructure, and more.

Jane Yang has joined the state Office of Information Technology in the newly created role. She was previously chief AI officer for the U.S. Administration for Children and Families.

Local governments across the U.S. are turning to robotic technology to assess sidewalk conditions. Officials are using the data to inform plans for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Plus, Colorado is accepting public comments on its middle-mile strategic road map through Aug. 7, Maine is investing millions of dollars to support digital inclusion in the state, and more.

The city’s ecosystem is fueling innovation through cross-sector collaboration, research, and experimentation — supporting practical public-sector applications of physical AI.