Vietnam: Digital Tech Bridging Gaps in Governance, Public Services
Vietnam is accelerating its digital transformation under Resolution No. 57‑NQ/TW, positioning 2026 as a breakthrough year for measurable outcomes. The government is consolidating fragmented projects, allocating resources systematically, and partnering with tech firms such as the award‑winning CGIS Urban platform to embed spatial data into urban governance. Digital services now enable one‑stop online applications, reducing processing times and increasing transparency for citizens, businesses, and foreign residents. Training programs and infrastructure upgrades are building a more skilled, adaptable public‑sector workforce.
New Digital PlusBus Ticket Enables Seamless Rail and Bus Travel
Rail Delivery Group and Traveline have launched a digital PlusBus ticket, replacing the paper add‑on across England, Wales and parts of Scotland. The eTicket, available after pilots in Yorkshire and Cambridge, lets passengers buy rail and bus access in a...
The IRS Is Supposedly Hiring Again
The IRS announced it will resume hiring permanent technology staff, targeting up to 175 new IT positions. This follows a steep 40% reduction in its IT workforce during the Trump era, leaving the agency with 7,135 technologists in October 2025,...
WaterNSW to Move on Generative AI
WaterNSW is embedding generative AI to accelerate its digital agenda, focusing on application design and customer engagement. The authority will pilot Pega GenAI Blueprint, a low‑code tool that can shrink months‑long prototyping cycles to weeks. It is also testing Pega’s Knowledge Buddy virtual...
Meghalaya Govt Signs MoU With Starlink To Pilot Satcom Services
The Meghalaya government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Elon Musk’s Starlink to pilot satellite broadband in the state’s most remote areas, focusing on schools, health centres and farms. The pilot will test high‑speed internet reliability before a broader...
Costs, Maintenance, 'Turtle Mode': NY School Leaders Question EV Buses
New York school districts that adopted electric buses report soaring costs and operational headaches as the state pushes a diesel‑to‑electric mandate by 2027 and a fully electrified fleet by 2035. The average EV bus costs more than twice a diesel...
Is Your Government Ready to Buy AI?
Governments are rapidly increasing AI spending, with the United Kingdom allocating about $1.5 billion in 2025—double the previous year. U.S. federal agencies have committed $5.6 billion to AI projects between 2022 and 2024. The Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) launched a “Buying AI”...
UpCodes Unveils AI‑Native Specifications Tool to Cut U.S. Construction Compliance Risks
UpCodes introduced UpCodes Specifications, an AI‑native solution that ties building codes directly to construction project specifications. The tool aims to surface compliance risks earlier, reduce costly rework, and streamline documentation for architects, engineers and contractors across the United States.
UK ICO Launches Consultation to Tighten AI Hiring Rules
The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has opened a consultation on draft guidance for automated decision‑making (ADM) in recruitment, urging 16 firms to act on its recommendations. The move follows a year of engagement with over 30 employers and aims...
Unico Expands Global Digital Identity Footprint with New Silicon Valley HQ
Unico, the Brazilian digital‑identity specialist, opened a new global headquarters in Menlo Park, marking its first U.S. base after a two‑year expansion that included acquisitions in Mexico, the UAE and the United States. The firm’s platform combines face‑biometrics with machine‑learning...
‘Fatal Decision’: EU Slammed for Caving to US Pressure on Digital Rules
EU lawmakers criticised the European Commission for planning a dialogue with the United States on the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, fearing it could open a back‑door for U.S. influence. Greens and liberal MEPs warned the move might...
Top EU Officials’ Signal Group Chat Shut Down over Hacking Fears
The European Commission ordered senior officials to shut down a Signal group chat after fearing it could be targeted by hackers. The directive follows a series of recent cyber incidents, including a website breach and a mobile‑device infrastructure attack that...
Suffolk County Advances Public Sector ERP Modernization with CGI Advantage Cloud Migration
Suffolk County, New York, completed a migration of its financial management system to the CGI Advantage cloud platform, marking a major upgrade of its public‑sector ERP. The cloud‑based solution promises faster processing, higher data accuracy, and automated updates, while strengthening...
CanarySat CEO Antonio Abad Outlines the Sovereign, Secure Approach Behind the Magec Constellation
CanarySat, backed by Spain’s Arquimea, unveiled its Magec constellation – a planned 264‑satellite Ka‑band LEO network aimed at sovereign, secure communications for governments, critical infrastructure and essential enterprises. The company, less than a year old, leverages five years of design...
New Report Warns Federal Fraud Controls Are Falling Behind
A new Socure‑sponsored report warns that federal fraud controls are lagging behind rapidly evolving identity‑theft tactics powered by AI and automation. The Government Accountability Office estimates annual federal fraud losses between $233 billion and $521 billion, with pandemic relief programs alone losing...
Review: Rubrik Security Cloud Helps Agencies Build Data Resilience
Rubrik Security Cloud offers state and local governments a zero‑trust, immutable backup platform that combines data‑observability with rapid cyber‑recovery. Its architecture stores unalterable backups, detects anomalies across on‑prem, cloud and SaaS workloads, and automates restoration of clean data. The solution...
What Happens When GPS Goes Dark?
In this episode, host Ken Miller talks with Dana Goward, president of the Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation, about the pervasive reliance on GPS and other GNSS for everything from military targeting to financial transactions and everyday timing. Goward explains...
AusPost Gives up on Its Digital ID Amid Rising Competition
Australia Post is shutting down its Digital iD service, the first privately accredited digital identity platform, by April 30, 2026. Launched in 2017 and accredited in 2019, the app let users verify identity via selfie and access banking, postal and...
How Technology Is Reshaping Roadway Safety and Traffic Management
Technology is rapidly transforming roadway safety and traffic management through AI‑driven platforms, data analytics, and connected devices. The North Carolina Turnpike Authority’s pilot with Valerann’s Lantern n uses real‑time camera feeds to spot hazards and speed response. Cambridge Mobile Telematics’ StreetVision...
New Jersey County Modernizes ‘Broken’ Benefits Process
Union County, New Jersey, is overhauling its fragmented benefits enrollment by introducing a single “common application” that feeds into Medicaid, SNAP and other programs. The 10‑person call center currently fields about 3,000 calls per day, leading to long wait times...
Is “Hackback” Official US Cybersecurity Strategy?
The White House’s 2026 Cyber Strategy for America adopts a more aggressive tone, explicitly urging the private sector to identify and disrupt adversary networks. This language is interpreted as an endorsement of “hack‑back” – allowing companies to conduct offensive cyber...
San Diego PD Prohibits Use of AI in Report Writing
The San Diego Police Department issued a memo in December 2025, formally prohibiting officers from using any artificial‑intelligence tools to draft police reports unless the department grants explicit approval. The directive, obtained by CBS 8 and released publicly in April 2026,...
Michigan Greenlights 1.3 GW BESS, Includes Oracle Data Center
Michigan approves 1.3 GW BESS portfolio, including contested Oracle data center assets #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/SXEfi3Pp5u
Senator’s Probe Reveals Lack of Transparency in Remote Assistance Use in Self-Driving Cars
Senator Edward Markey’s Commerce Committee report uncovers a stark lack of transparency among autonomous‑vehicle makers about their use of Remote Assistance Operators (RAOs). The investigation revealed that companies such as Waymo employ overseas RAOs, often without U.S. driver’s licenses, and...
Can a New AI-Powered Platform Help Police Close Cases?
Guillaume Delépine founded San Francisco‑based Longeye to use AI for sorting massive digital evidence, aiming to boost police case‑closure rates. The platform, now negotiating 20 contracts, ingests data such as phone records, emails and GPS to deliver searchable case summaries,...
More than 16 Lakh Government Email Accounts Migrated to Zoho’s Cloud Platform at a Cost of ₹180 Crore
The Indian central government has shifted 1.66 million official email accounts to Zoho’s cloud platform, incurring a total outlay of roughly $22 million. Monthly pricing ranges from $2 to $4 per account, depending on mailbox size. The move is framed as a...
Minnesota Teens Push Media‑Literacy Bill as Part of New Civic Seal Initiative
Minnesota high‑school senior Mary Jensen testified before the Senate Education Policy Committee, backing a bill to create a state‑wide “Civic Seal” that requires media‑literacy coursework. The proposal, championed by students and supported by DFL senators, aims to formalize digital‑citizenship education...
Esri Powers Increased Public Safety for Northern Ireland Electricity Networks
Esri Ireland’s ArcGIS platform has automated NIE Networks’ map‑request workflow, allowing citizens and contractors to obtain proximity maps for electricity infrastructure within an hour instead of up to ten days. The new online portal handles roughly 6,000 annual requests, cutting...
Louisiana Scraps some, but Not All, AI Proposals After Trump Threats
Louisiana lawmakers have withdrawn roughly one‑third of the nearly 20 AI‑related bills they introduced after President Donald Trump warned that states regulating artificial intelligence could lose federal broadband funding. The scrapped measures included limits on AI use in health‑insurance decisions,...
PQShield Clears Path for ML-KEM Inclusion in Japan’s National Cryptographic Standard
PQShield has completed an external evaluation of the NIST‑approved ML‑KEM algorithm for Japan’s CRYPTREC body, clearing the way for its inclusion on the national Ciphers List. This milestone accelerates the adoption of quantum‑safe encryption across Japanese government, infrastructure, and technology...
New York’s Frontier AI Law Gets a California Makeover – With Some Key Differences
New York’s amended Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, signed on March 27, 2026, aligns closely with California’s Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (TFAIA) by adopting the same frontier‑AI framework and transparency‑report requirements. The law revises key definitions,...
Building Safety Regulator Reports Batching Scheme Progress
The Building Safety Regulator’s batching pilot, launched in September 2025, is delivering faster assessments, averaging four weeks across new‑build, remediation and refurbishment applications. In the latest 12‑week Gateway 2 update, 284 decisions were made with a 67% approval rate, covering 12,975...
Generative AI Is the Future of Traffic Engineering, Miovision Says
Miovision will roll out its generative‑AI traffic‑engineering agent, Mateo, on April 7, allowing transit authorities and private firms to ask natural‑language questions of sensor data. The tool promises to cut diagnostic time by up to 90%, turning multi‑day investigations into roughly...
Johns Hopkins Medicine and ATA Launch Interstate Telehealth Initiative
Johns Hopkins Medicine and the American Telemedicine Association have launched the LIFTT Initiative, a three‑year effort to push federal legislation that eases state licensure barriers for telehealth. The program seeks tailored federal pathways that complement, not replace, state oversight, aiming...
Navy’s Free Barracks Wi-Fi Program Reaches Installations in Italy and Greece
The U.S. Navy’s free high‑speed Wi‑Fi initiative for unaccompanied housing has reached 86% completion, now covering 827 of 952 buildings. Service was launched this week at installations in Naples, Italy; Sigonella, Italy; and Souda Bay, Greece. Adoption is strong, with...
NYC Expands Public EV Charging Network
New York City announced a major expansion of its public electric‑vehicle charging network, adding roughly 200 fast‑charging stations across boroughs and bringing the total public chargers to about 1,500. The rollout is funded by a $50 million city allocation combined with...
ESN ‘on Track’ for 2030 Completion, UK Official Tells BAPCO
The UK’s Emergency Services Network (ESN) is back on schedule, with data‑only services potentially available to first responders as early as 2024. Full mission‑critical voice capability is slated for the second quarter of 2028, and a mass migration of users,...
North Carolina Directs $26M to Connect Rural Homes by 2026
North Carolina has allocated nearly $26 million in stop‑gap broadband grants to bring high‑speed internet to 5,161 homes, businesses and community institutions across 66 rural counties by the end of 2026. The program, funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act...
ITS AMERICA 2026: Nearly 200 Exhibitors Confirmed for Detroit
Nearly 200 exhibitors and sponsors will converge in Detroit from June 9‑12 for the ITS America 2026 Conference & Expo, hosted at Huntington Place. The showcase spotlights AI‑powered traffic management, autonomous mobility platforms, and introduces a dedicated Cybersecurity & Data Zone....
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Lifts Government TikTok Ban, Citing Need to Reach New Yorkers on Social Media
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has lifted the 2023 ban on TikTok for government use, allowing agencies to operate on the platform under strict guidelines. The new policy requires dedicated government devices, designated staff, and agency‑managed credentials to address...
$235K Grant Boosts Lifesaving Gear for Pa. Ambulance Service
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development awarded a $235,000 grant to the McCandless‑Franklin Park Ambulance Authority. The funds will purchase six LUCAS mechanical chest‑compression devices and a LIFEPAK 35 heart monitor‑defibrillator, which costs about $65,000. Each ambulance will receive...
Kenyan Parliamentary Committee Evaluates USF-Supported Connectivity in Garissa County
Kenya’s National Assembly ICT committee conducted on‑site visits in Garissa County to evaluate connectivity projects funded by the Universal Service Fund (USF). MPs met directly with residents to gauge how the initiatives are being rolled out. The USF‑backed deployments are...
Designing a New Digital Regulator
Academics, advocates, and policymakers have long advocated for a new digital regulator (NDR) to oversee AI and technology markets. On February 25, 2026, GWU’s Institute for Data, Democracy and Politics and Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator convened a summit of leading experts to examine...
Agency CIOs Must Supply Top-Down IT Contract Information, OMB Memo States
The Office of Management and Budget issued a memo requiring chief information officers at large federal agencies to report every IT contract they approve each month from May through October. The directive, signed by OMB director Russ Vought, also obliges...
Avi Rosenthal: A Risky Tradeoff in the Race for GPS Backup
U.S. regulators are reviewing NextNav’s proposal to repurpose the lower 900 MHz band for high‑power terrestrial PNT services, a move that would displace billions of low‑power, unlicensed IoT devices. Industry groups warn that even intermittent interference could degrade or disable life‑safety...
We’re Creating a New Satellite Imagery Map to Help Protect Brazil’s Forests.
Google has partnered with Brazil’s government to produce the nation’s first high‑resolution satellite imagery map of its 2008 forest landscape. By processing thousands of historic images and removing clouds, the map delivers detail up to six times finer than previous...
Indonesia Summons Google and Meta Over Child‑Safety Law Breach
Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs summoned senior officials from Google and Meta on Monday, accusing them of violating a new law that bars users under 16 from social media. The move underscores mounting regulatory pressure on tech firms...
Sars to Give Every Taxpayer a Digital Identity in Sweeping Tech Overhaul
South Africa's revenue agency SARS unveiled Modernisation 3.0, a digital overhaul that will issue every taxpayer a biometric, two‑factor digital identity. The programme adds AI‑driven case management, instant payments with the Reserve Bank, and automatic VAT assessments. In FY 2025/26...
Ghana’s National ID Cards Can Now Make Payments
Ghana’s National Identification Authority has embedded a digital wallet into the Ghana Card, allowing holders to withdraw cash from ATMs, pay in stores and online, and conduct international transactions in over 200 countries. Cardholders can activate the wallet through the...
ITWeb TV Biz: Solving for Transparency in Parliament with Data and Tech
South Africa’s Parliament has launched ParliMeter, a civic‑tech dashboard that consolidates years of committee minutes, budget review reports and other parliamentary records into a searchable, visual platform. Developed by OUTA, OpenUp and the Parliamentary Monitoring Group with co‑funding from the...