Emergency First Responders Say Waymos Are Getting Worse
Emergency first‑responder leaders in San Francisco and Austin told federal regulators that Waymo’s driverless taxis are increasingly freezing, blocking fire stations, and ignoring hand signals, creating dangerous delays during emergencies. Officials said the vehicles are committing more traffic violations and that remote support teams often fail to respond within seconds. Waymo, which now runs 500,000 paid rides weekly in ten U.S. cities and plans to double its footprint, acknowledges the complaints and cites training of over 35,000 responders. New California DMV rules will require a 30‑second response to emergency calls, aiming to curb the issue.
Duffy Floats Passenger Fee For FAA Upgrades
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy suggested a new passenger fee to create a steady funding source for the FAA’s ongoing air traffic control modernization. The proposal, announced at an American Airlines safety conference, mirrors the existing $5.60 September 11 Security Fee but...
Energy Subcommittee Hearing Focuses on Affordability, Grid Modernization
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee held a hearing on seven bills that address artificial intelligence’s impact on the nation’s power grid. The proposals call for tighter inter‑agency coordination, a public clearinghouse for advanced transmission technologies, and a Federal Energy...
BIOTECanada Responds to Health Canada’s Gazette on Modernizing Clinical Trials Regulations
Health Canada has released a Gazette notice proposing modernized clinical‑trial regulations and draft guidance for decentralized trials. BIOTECanada welcomed the initiative but urged that the new rules align with the U.S. FDA and European EMA to avoid duplicative requirements. The...
Telstra Not Seeking to Lock Rivals Out of Mobile-to-Satellite Bands
Telstra announced it will not seek to exclude rivals from the 2 GHz mobile‑to‑satellite (MSS) spectrum needed for next‑generation satellite‑to‑mobile services. SpaceX warned that if Telstra secured the remaining frequencies, it could effectively lock out other satellite operators and Australian mobile...
CBP Seeks AI Solutions to Keep Pace with Rising Volumes of Border Scans
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is confronting a data surge as expanded X‑ray scanning now produces tens of thousands of vehicle images daily. To prevent analyst overload, the agency issued a sources‑sought notice for AI and machine‑learning algorithms that can...
House Votes to Make IRS Publish Call Metrics Online
On Monday the House approved bipartisan legislation aimed at overhauling the IRS’s customer‑service transparency. The Taxpayer Experience Improvement Act compels the agency to publish real‑time call‑center metrics—including call volume, wait times, and callback availability—on its website, and to broaden online...
Inside Josh Shapiro’s Attempt to Navigate the Data Center Backlash
Governor Josh Shapiro is wrestling with a growing backlash against AI data centers in Pennsylvania. After Amazon warned it would halt projects without certainty, a real‑estate developer urged the governor to require challengers to post bonds double the project’s value....
GOV.UK One Login Goes Live for New HMRC Users, Unifying Tax Service Access
The Government Digital Service and HM Revenue & Customs launched GOV.UK One Login for new HMRC users on 9 February 2026, streamlining online tax interactions. The rollout, part of a three‑year cross‑government effort, aims to replace the legacy Government Gateway and provide...
Trackers Will Be Added to Emergency Vehicles at LaGuardia Following Deadly March Collision
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will install transponders on fire trucks and other emergency vehicles at LaGuardia, JFK and Newark airports after a March 22 runway collision killed two pilots. The devices transmit real‑time location data to...
Governance, Not Tech, Needs Interrogating in UK Digital ID Consultation: Tony Allen
Tony Allen, head of the Age Check Certification Scheme, warned that the UK’s digital ID consultation over‑emphasizes technology while neglecting governance. He argues that trust in digital identity stems from legal frameworks, independent certification, and clear separation of policymakers, providers,...
Why ‘Stack Thinking’ Could Rewire How Governments Work
Governments worldwide are wrestling with AI integration, but technology alone won’t deliver results. Geoff Mulgan proposes "stack thinking"—a layered architecture where procurement, data platforms, and AI tools sit atop core government functions. By treating these components as interoperable layers, public...
China Invests $1 Billion in 8,500 Humanoid and Robot Dogs for Power‑Grid Automation
The State Grid Corporation of China has earmarked 6.8 billion yuan (≈$1 billion) to purchase 8,500 AI‑powered robots, including 5,000 robot dogs and thousands of humanoid and dual‑arm units, to inspect and maintain the nation’s ultra‑high‑voltage electricity network. The move signals the...
New Report Aims to Help States Define the Chief Data Officer Role
A new Georgetown Beeck Center report maps the evolving role of state chief data officers (CDOs), noting that nearly 40 states have created the position but lack a common structural model. The study introduces archetypes—such as the early‑stage “lone builder”...
Congress, Industry Ponder Government Posture for Protecting Data Centers
Lawmakers on the House Homeland Security Subcommittee held a hearing to assess whether U.S. data centers should receive a standalone critical infrastructure designation. Industry witnesses cited recent Iranian drone attacks on Amazon facilities and the rapid AI‑driven construction boom as...
Beyond Visual Line of Sight: Shaping the UK Unmanned Aircraft Infrastructure
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released a consultation on command‑and‑control (C2) link policy for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations classified under Specific Assurance and Integrity Levels (SAIL) 1‑3. The proposal leans on existing telecom standards—such as...
FMCSA's DataQs Reform Sparks Call for 'Frivolous'-Challenge Penalties
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rolled out new DataQs rules that prohibit the issuing officer from participating in challenge decisions and set tighter timelines for state reviews. Early feedback from the 48 contiguous states and Alaska shows most...
FMCSA's State DataQs Reform Sparks Call for 'Frivolous'-Challenge Penalties
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued new DataQs rules that ban issuing‑officer decisions on challenges and shift the burden of proof to the requestor. Six states that have responded say the standards will not alter their existing processes,...
SA’s Withdrawn AI Policy Had a State Capture Design Flaw. The Flaws Remain
South Africa’s draft National AI Policy was withdrawn after a citation scandal, but the article argues the real danger lies in its structural design, which mirrors the three conditions that enabled Zondo‑era State Capture. The policy silently permits single‑vendor AI...
FRA Flexes Funding
The Federal Railroad Administration announced a series of funding initiatives aimed at modernizing U.S. passenger rail and improving safety. It unveiled $1.1 billion for crossing upgrades, $4.7 billion for Northeast Corridor projects, and $2.04 billion for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements...
Colorado's Anti-Repair Bill Is Dead
Colorado's SB26-090, a bill that would have created a "critical infrastructure" exemption to the state's 2024 Right to Repair law, was defeated in a 7‑to‑4 vote by the House committee, halting its progress after passing the Senate. The proposal, backed...
Isle of Man Passes World-First Legislation to Establish Data as an Asset
The Isle of Man has enacted world‑first legislation that creates Data Asset Foundations, a statutory framework that legally recognises data as an asset. Built on the 2011 Foundations Act, the new regime lets companies treat data like property, enabling valuation,...
DoT Begins Pan India Testing of Real Time Disaster Alerts on Mobile Networks
India’s Department of Telecommunications has launched a pan‑India test of a Cell Broadcast‑based emergency alert system, supplementing the existing SMS‑driven SACHET platform. The trial will send multilingual test messages in English, Hindi and regional languages to mobile devices across all...
Keyless Car Theft Devices Outlawed at Last, as Police Get New Powers to Track Stolen Vehicles
The UK’s Crime and Policing Act 2026 has made it a criminal offence to make, possess, import, adapt, supply or offer to supply electronic devices such as signal relays, jammers and CAN‑bus injectors that facilitate keyless car theft. The legislation...
Govt Mulls Partial Credit Guarantee, Interest Subvention Support for Pvt Sector Electric Bus, Truck Adoption
India’s heavy industries ministry is evaluating partial credit guarantees and interest‑subvention schemes to lower financing costs for private‑sector electric buses and trucks, which currently cost 2.5‑3 times more than diesel equivalents. Private operators, responsible for roughly 90% of the nation’s two million...
Openwashing by Architecture: How AI Reveals Budget Opacity
The article argues that AI’s ability to query public budget APIs exposes a long‑standing supply‑side flaw: many government datasets underreport financial figures by up to five times. While the open‑data movement focused on demand‑side challenges—who uses the data and how—AI...
Connecticut Community Voices Concern Over Flock Safety Data
Norwalk police chief James Walsh defended the city’s 11 Flock Safety license‑plate cameras, noting a 45% drop in stolen vehicles since their 2023 installation. He highlighted 28 recovered stolen cars and said the system deters property crime. Community members, however,...
Bentley Systems Achieves Key U.S. Government Security Milestone to Help Modernize Infrastructure
Bentley Systems announced that its ProjectWise and OpenGround platforms have received FedRAMP Moderate Impact Level authorization, clearing the way for U.S. federal agencies to use the tools in a secure cloud environment. The certification, driven by the Federal Risk and...
UK Parliament Opens Scrutiny of Government Digital ID as Mobile Credential Plans Take Shape
The UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has opened a formal inquiry into the government’s upcoming voluntary digital ID scheme, slated for launch before 2029. The probe follows the collapse of the earlier GOV.UK Verify programme, which missed performance targets and...
Angola’s National Data Center Launches
Angola’s government launched a $89 million National Data Center and cloud platform in Luanda, designed to host up to 13,000 virtual servers and interconnect all ministries via a 50 Gbps fiber ring. The modular facility is part of a broader digital‑transformation push...
Bill Gurley, Jack Altman Back Startup Pursuit, Which Helps Companies Sell to Government
Pursuit, a startup that uses AI to surface government contract opportunities, announced a $22 million Series A round led by OpenGov co‑founder Mike Rosengarten. The round brings total funding to $25.5 million and includes investors such as Bill Gurley, Jack Altman and Sam...
FBI Extradites China‑Linked Hacker, Spotlighting LegalTech’s Role in Cyber Forensics
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the extradition of Chinese national Xu Zewei from Italy to face U.S. charges for a 2020‑21 cyber campaign that targeted COVID‑19 research. The operation, coordinated with Italian authorities, highlights the growing reliance on digital forensics and...
CMS Unveils First Wave of HealthTech Ecosystem Tools to Boost Patient Experience
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced the first wave of its HealthTech Ecosystem tools, showcasing interoperable patient‑facing applications from more than 50 companies. The rollout includes a planned Medicare App Library and marks the first major federal...
Workday Government Launches AI‑driven PAR Agent, Slashing Federal HR Cycle Times by up to 60%
Workday Government unveiled an AI‑powered Personnel Action Request (PAR) Agent on April 28, 2026, promising to cut federal HR transaction times by up to 60% and deliver multi‑million‑dollar savings for high‑volume agencies. The tool embeds OPM rules, automates routine steps,...
Cities Urged to Apply Now for Safe Streets and Roads Grants
The U.S. Department of Transportation has opened the 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant cycle, offering $1 billion for planning and implementation projects aimed at reducing roadway fatalities. Applications, due May 26, 2026, prioritize high‑injury networks and locations near...
FDA to Pilot Real-Time Clinical Drug Trials Through Cloud and AI
The FDA announced a pilot that will stream clinical‑trial data to the agency in real time using cloud platforms and artificial‑intelligence analytics. Commissioner Marty Makary said the effort could shave up to 40% off the time between Phase 1 trials and...
California DMV Adds Samsung Wallet to Mobile Driver’s License Program, Boosting Digital ID Options
The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced that its mobile driver’s license (mDL) pilot now supports Samsung Wallet, joining Apple, Google and the state’s own wallet. The expansion reaches a program that already has 1.7 million active digital licenses, offering Californians...
FDA Launches Real‑Time Clinical Trial Tracking Pilot with AstraZeneca and Amgen
The FDA announced a pilot that will stream real‑time data from two pharmaceutical trials—AstraZeneca’s mantle‑cell lymphoma study and Amgen’s early‑stage lung cancer trial. The effort seeks to shrink the decades‑long lag between trial results and regulatory decisions, creating new IT...
Louisiana Makes Connectivity Gains in Rural Acadia Parish
Louisiana’s Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) 1.0 program has delivered high‑speed internet to 307 homes and 80 businesses in rural Acadia Parish. A parallel effort with LFT Fiber added reliable service to another 40 locations, accelerating the parish’s broadband...
Beware of Government by AI
The United Arab Emirates announced it will run half of its government services on agentic AI within two years, positioning AI as an autonomous executive partner that can analyze, decide, execute, and improve in real time. The plan, outlined by...
Some of the Federal Government’s Most Trusted Public Data Tools Aren’t Being Maintained
USA Facts evaluated 55 federal data tools, finding two offline, roughly 40% missed scheduled updates, and 10% suffered reduced functionality. The gaps stem from opaque reasons, including funding lapses from the 43‑day shutdown and staffing changes. Missing or delayed data...
Americans Question Prediction Markets as Gambling, Impact Youth
Pretty big announcement by @GovWesMoore on government officials' use of prediction markets. But are prediction markets a form of gambling? Over at @aibm_org, we’ve been digging into how Americans view these markets and their impacts on young men & boys:...
Bill Proposed in North Carolina Seeks to Mandate Large Load Data Centers to Cover Cost of Energy and Water Infrastructure
North Carolina lawmakers introduced the Ratepayer and Resource Protection Act, targeting data centers with a projected peak demand of 40 MW or more and annual water use exceeding one billion liters. The bill would strip state and local tax incentives, require facilities to...
FAA Expanding Weather Camera Network
The Federal Aviation Administration announced an expansion of its weather camera program, adding 64 new camera locations and 60 Visual Weather Observation Systems (VWOS) across Alaska by 2028. The network provides near‑real‑time, 10‑minute interval images and automated surface weather data...
April Global Regulatory Brief: Digital Finance
In April 2026 regulators across Japan, Switzerland, the United States and the United Kingdom released new guidance targeting digital‑finance risks. Japan’s Financial Services Agency issued a comprehensive cybersecurity policy for crypto‑asset exchanges, while Switzerland’s FINMA published a digital‑fraud risk‑management guide for...
Glass Joins Mastercard Start Path to Advance Modern Infrastructure for Public Sector Finance
Silicon Valley GovTech firm Glass was accepted into Mastercard Start Path’s inaugural Corporate Solutions program, positioning it to scale its AI‑driven public‑finance infrastructure. The partnership grants Glass access to Mastercard’s global network of banks, merchants, and technology partners, accelerating deployment...
Britain Launches Rail Industry AI Action Plan
Britain’s rail sector unveiled an AI Industry Action Plan, crafted by GBRX, to overcome data, governance and skill barriers that have limited artificial‑intelligence adoption. The plan outlines six priority pathfinder projects covering passenger experience, network operations, planning, rolling‑stock and infrastructure...
What Kind Of Heat Sensor Does TSA Use? What To Know Before You Step Into The Scanner
The Transportation Security Administration’s checkpoint scanners use Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) that relies on millimeter‑wave, low‑power radio waves—not thermal heat sensors—to spot concealed items. Unlike older X‑ray backscatter units, the current system projects a generic body outline via automated target...
DG Move Land Director Bemoans Lack of Progress with ETCS Deployment
European Commission transport chief Kristian Schmidt warned that the EU’s goal of equipping 50,000 km of the TEN‑T rail network with the European Train Control System (ETCS) by 2030 is unlikely to be met. Only 10% of the network – about...
Californian mDL Added to Samsung Wallet, Google Wallet Supports Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials
Samsung Wallet has added California’s mobile driver’s license (mDL) to its platform, joining Arizona and Iowa in offering state‑issued digital IDs. The pilot now supports more than 1.7 million active mDLs used at TSA checkpoints, government portals and retail locations. Google...