While the challenges of closing the digital divide are vast and complex, one telecommunications expert told Capitol Hill lawmakers this week that artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged to expand broadband services to every corner of the nation.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has added new online resources to the POWER Library, Pennsylvania’s electronic library. The state said these additions, which join a collection of more than 25 online resources, include a genealogy database and a language learning platform.

Hawai’i has launched its Connect Kākou initiative, which aims to ensure underserved communities across Hawaiʻi have reliable and affordable access to high-speed internet via transformative new statewide infrastructure and a boost in digital literacy programs.

California’s Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System has begun integrating more than 1 billion data points, which the state calls a “pivotal phase in its effort to transform education and workforce development.”

The nonprofit CyberTrust Massachusetts announced that it has received a $2.3 million grant to support cybersecurity resiliency for Massachusetts communities, as well as help develop a talent pipeline at Massachusetts colleges and universities to encourage students to enter the security field.

An AI industry expert called on Congress this week to pass comprehensive Federal legislation that covers a wide range of risks associated with the emerging technology, arguing that state and local government action to create AI-related laws will only stifle innovation.

With the 2024 presidential election quickly approaching, local election officials on Wednesday called on Congress for increased cybersecurity funding to update outdated IT infrastructure and help protect democracy.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it will allow E-Rate funding to be used for Wi-Fi on school buses beginning in funding year 2024 as the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program is set to sunset.

Maryland said it will use $69 million in Federal funding to provide internet access for roughly 15,000 underserved Maryland households.

Wanting to tackle its chronic absenteeism rate, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is developing a new early warning dashboard which will help educators identify students who may be at risk of not graduating and help schools direct resources accordingly.