Emerging Tech

AI information retrieval: A search engine researcher explains the promise and peril of letting ChatGPT and its cousins search the web for you

Generative artificial intelligence may seem like a convenient solution to a quick query, but users should caution the potential for unverified or even false responses.

  • By Chirag Shah, The Conversation

Feds seek input on how to create semiconductor hubs

The Commerce Department wants stakeholders’ “best ideas” for new research and manufacturing hubs for computer chips that could transform communities nationwide.

  • By Kery Murakami

How agencies can help constituents find accurate information quicker

COMMENTARY | With AI-enabled answer engines, users can ask complete questions and get the correct answer regardless of how they phrase the question.

  • By John Reuter

Blockchain offers secure, transparent platform for vital records

The distributed ledger technology can foster greater trust in data management than traditional systems, one expert says.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

Machine learning too expensive for state archives – for now

The Oregon State Archives will pivot from machine learning to advanced analytics for streamlining management of several terabytes of new data.

  • By Chris Teale

Innovation thrives when governments embrace next-gen public-private partnerships

By rethinking how sectors collaborate and encouraging long-term institutional relationships, communities can get the most out of technology projects, one expert said.

  • By Chris Teale

How blockchain can improve digital evidence collection and collaboration

Blockchain offers an immutable chain of custody that guarantees data integrity, prevents fraud and provides a transparent, auditable system of record for digital assets related to investigations.

  • By Kevin Doubleday and Buck Flannigan

Creating responsible AI presents 'major technical challenges,' NIST official says

Experts discussed the regulations needed for fast-developing AI software, with NIST’s Elham Tabassi emphasizing the need for proper data and measurement strategies for different systems.

  • By Alexandra Kelley

Criminal justice algorithms still discriminate

Algorithms built upon messy, subjective and discriminatory data can replicate or even amplify bias that disproportionately harms marginalized communities.

  • By Molly Callahan

VR trains responders for mass casualty events

Conducting a disaster response training program can be costly and time-consuming, but a virtual reality simulation can train multiple employees at once and provide performance assessments.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Quantum ‘ecosystems’ can flourish with government partners

States looking to nurture the technology should work with academia, startups and industry to build quantum research clusters and a trained workforce, a recent report said.

  • By Chris Teale

NASA tests autonomous aircraft decision tech in Arizona cities

The agency is aiming to help air vehicles respond to anomalies—such as weather changes—faster, as the vehicles are used to provide essential services.

  • By Kirsten Errick

DHS tests show facial recognition tech has varied results, but gaining ground

Although some systems were able to meet performance thresholds for all demographic groups, others did show differentials because of issues with obtaining quality photos of people with varying skin tones.

  • By Natalie Alms

A survey of over 17,000 people indicates only half of us are willing to trust AI at work

Employees are more comfortable with artificial intelligence for task automation compared with monitoring, performance management and human resources purposes, the survey finds.

  • By Nicole Gillespie, Caitlin Curtis, Javad Pool and Steven Lockey, The Conversation
Featured eBooks

What are the pros and cons of digital workers?

Organizations should consider the costs—and ethics—of implementing an artificial intelligence-enabled workforce.

  • By Rachel Cramer, Futurity

Inclusive innovation spurs equity, self-sufficiency

As local governments test out the latest technologies, they are ensuring vulnerable populations are not left behind.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

We pitted ChatGPT against tools for detecting AI-written text, and the results are troubling

The race between tools that generate artificial intelligence-enabled text and the tools to detect nonhuman writing has no clear winner.

  • By Armin Alimardani and Emma A. Jane, The Conversation

Earthquake data powered by next-gen supercomputers

A collaboration among national labs aims to provide an open-access website with datasets on how ground motion affects infrastructure during earthquakes.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

State comptroller: New York City agencies are using AI without guardrails

An audit by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli found that New York City lacks “an effective AI governance framework.”

  • By Annie McDonough

How does ChatGPT differ from human intelligence?

Humans and computer intelligence harbor many similarities in how they process information, researchers say, but machines still have limitations.

  • By Corrie Pikul, Futurity

VR map tracks ‘silent killer’ of extreme heat

A 3-D map of Washington, D.C., overlaid with temperature data illustrates urban heat islands and shows neighborhoods that are most at risk.

  • By Chris Teale