Hey John!
Like most of the world I’m still ecstatic about County Mayo coming out of a 75-year drought and winning the All-Ireland in Gaelic Football. The Irish are still celebrating, everywhere!
What’s the future for a big win like this and the in-person celebration that follows?
One expanding solution is Autonomous Taxis. And, as we see the industry grow it’s clear that purpose-built vehicles, those that can go backward as easily as forward, have a leg up on the competition. As we look at data we see where the purpose-built vehicles are faring better in the field.
What will this mean for us? Whether it’s the next All-Ireland celebration in Castlebar or Westport, or getting home safe after a game in Arlington, Texas or Clarksville, Tennessee, we WILL have safe, driverless solutions for taxis…and, likely a lot sooner than we know.
Matt
AI in Government
GSA Expands AI Tools Available to Federal Agencies
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has expanded its catalog of approved artificial intelligence solutions available through federal procurement contracts. The initiative is designed to help agencies adopt AI more efficiently while ensuring compliance with security, privacy, and transparency standards. Although aimed at federal agencies, the program provides a useful model for state and local governments developing their own AI procurement policies. By streamlining vendor selection and emphasizing responsible implementation, the effort may accelerate AI adoption across the public sector.
Civic Technology
Cities Continue Investing in AI-Powered 311 Services
Municipal governments across the country are expanding AI-powered 311 systems that can answer resident questions, route service requests, and assist staff with repetitive administrative tasks. These virtual assistants improve response times while allowing employees to focus on more complex issues requiring human judgment. Many cities are pairing AI with multilingual capabilities and accessibility features to improve customer service and reduce call center demand. As expectations for digital government services continue growing, AI-enhanced resident engagement is becoming a common modernization strategy.
Infrastructure Technology
Utilities Increase Investment in Smart Water Systems
Water utilities are adopting smart sensors and digital monitoring systems to detect leaks, improve water conservation, and reduce infrastructure maintenance costs. These technologies provide real-time data that allows operators to identify issues before they become major failures. As aging infrastructure and drought conditions continue challenging many communities, local governments view smart water management as a cost-effective way to improve resilience while protecting critical public resources.
Cybersecurity
CISA Encourages Local Governments to Strengthen Cyber Resilience
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) continues urging state and local governments to strengthen cyber defenses against ransomware and other evolving threats. Updated recommendations emphasize multi-factor authentication, regular software updates, employee training, and incident response planning. With municipalities increasingly relying on digital services, cybersecurity has become a critical component of maintaining essential government operations. Federal guidance aims to help governments improve resilience while protecting sensitive public information.
