Technology
Budget restrictions, staff issues and AI are threats to states’ cybersecurity
Many state chief information and security officers say they don’t have the budget, resources, staff or expertise to feel fully confident in their ability to guard their government networks against cyber attacks, according to the new Deloitte-NASCIO Cybersecurity Study of officials in all 50 states and D.C. “The attack surface is expanding as state leaders’ […]
In Va., electric vehicle infrastructure development is underway. Incentives could spur growth.
This is part three of a five-part series about Virginia’s transition to electric vehicles that examines the government’s role in the process, the private industry’s status, the development of charging infrastructure in the state, EVs’ impact on the electric grid, and how the commonwealth’s workforce may be influenced by the growing industry. Searching for a […]
Richmond City Council wants to increase internet speeds, close ‘digital divide’
By Liam Velazquez/Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond City Council recently adopted a resolution to declare high-speed internet a public necessity for all Richmond residents, an update to similar legislation passed three years ago. Andreas Addison, 1st District councilman and mayoral candidate, proposed the 2021 resolution. That resolution called on city officials to assess […]
Geothermal energy is having a moment. Could it power Virginia’s data centers?
Drill down far enough into the earth, and you will hit hot rocks. Energy companies have used this heat to generate carbon-free electricity for more than a century. It’s an elegant concept, but it worked only where pockets of heat lay close to the surface, accompanied by steam ready-made to turn turbines. Those limitations confined […]
Where exactly are all the AI jobs?
The desire for artificial intelligence skills in new hires has exploded over the last five years, and continues to be a priority for hiring managers across nearly every industry, data from Stanford University’s annual AI Index Report found. In 2023, 1.6% of all United States-based jobs required AI skills, a slight dip from the 2% […]
AI will play a role in election misinformation. Experts are trying to fight back.
In June, amid a bitterly contested Republican gubernatorial primary race, a short video began circulating on social media showing Utah Gov. Spencer Cox purportedly admitting to fraudulent collection of ballot signatures. The governor, however, never said any such thing and courts have upheld his election victory. The false video was part of a growing wave […]
MACo alerts county agencies to threat of malware in Public Information Act requests
Maryland officials are warning county agencies and employees to be wary when handling requests under the state’s Public Information Act, after malware attacks using a similar scheme reportedly hit some county attorneys in Virginia. Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) officials, who posted the warning last week, said they are not aware of any attempts against […]
Social media bans could deny teenagers mental health help
Social media’s effects on the mental health of young people are not well understood. That hasn’t stopped Congress, state legislatures, and the U.S. surgeon general from moving ahead with age bans and warning labels for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. But the emphasis on fears about social media may cause policymakers to miss the mental health […]
In rare bipartisan vote, U.S. Senate passes package aimed at protecting kids online
This story mentions suicide. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, please dial 988 or chat with a live counselor at 988lifeline.org. WASHINGTON — Legislation aimed at protecting children online sailed through the U.S. Senate Tuesday, marking what could be the first update since the late […]
Va. plans to create cell phone-free education guidelines. Developing them will be complex.
As concerns mount over student performance, echoed in an executive order from Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Virginia is developing policies and guidelines to restrict students’ use of cell phones during school hours. Some educators and advocates question the effort and believe that cell phone-free policies could be hard to enforce and may harm certain students. Research shows […]
States strike out on their own on AI, privacy regulation
As congressional sessions have passed without any new federal artificial intelligence laws, state legislators are striking out on their own to regulate the technologies in the meantime. Colorado just signed into effect one of the most sweeping regulatory laws in the country, which sets guardrails for companies that develop and use AI. Its focus is mitigating consumer […]
IT glitch caused delays in flights, business operations in Virginia and across the globe
Air travel, banking, media and hospital systems were just some of the industries affected by a bug in a software update that scrambled business operations for many globally on Friday. Many of those who use Microsoft Windows likely experienced a “blue screen of death” or an error page. The issue was due to a single […]