Ken Pfeil, who became chief data officer (CDO) for the Commonwealth of Virginia in April, says that the most difficult aspect of his new job with the state is also proving to be the most surprising.

A new initiative – Upskill Together – is aiming to help universities and employers expand access to “high-demand, industry-recognized technology credentials” both for corporate and educational partners, and with scholarships for groups that are underrepresented in the tech sector.

The use of automated decision-making systems by the District of Columbia (D.C.) government is having widespread impact on the accuracy, fairness, and equity of decisions that affect District residents, according to a report released on Nov. 1 by a prominent privacy advocacy group.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DoC) is piloting new virtual reality (VR) technology to help “promote healthy relationships and engagement between incarcerated parents and their children.”

The Colorado Office of Information Technology (OIT) has two different programs underway to provide better services to citizens by increasingly leveraging technology like automation, artificial intelligence, and blockchain, said a state agency official.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $759 million to bring high-speed internet access to people living and working across 24 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Palau.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced that the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has launched its new website, which will streamline the online services it offers. Gov. Lamont’s office said the new website is part of the governor’s larger effort to reduce in-person visits and wait times at DMV offices.

The University of Florida (UF) is collaborating with 11 school districts across the Sunshine State to pilot a K-12 artificial intelligence (AI) education program this fall, according to a UF news release from Sept. 22.

The Indiana Office of Technology (IOT) has partnered with Purdue University and Indiana University (IU) to provide free cybersecurity assessments for local governments statewide.

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) awarded Pell Elementary School in Newport, R.I., a $500,000 grant to encourage Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, the Arts and Math (STREAM) learning beginning in the elementary grades.