The magic of maps: the federal push to digitize mapping efforts in rural counties across the country

Luis Bettencourt, a professor at the University of Chicago, discusses the evolution and importance of rural mapping. He highlights the role of high-resolution satellite imagery, drone technology, and AI in enhancing mapping precision. Bettencourt emphasizes the significance of the Modernizing Access to Public Roads Act (MAPS Act) in digitizing rural records and creating standardized data sets for healthcare, emergency services, and infrastructure planning. He notes the need for human judgment in interpreting maps and the potential for improved local governance and service provision through accurate mapping.

Top stories this week:

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers is urging Congress to reauthorize the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, one of three federal priorities outlined in a letter sent Monday to House and Senate leaders. NASCIO Executive Director Doug Robinson said in the letter the three priorities were “critical to the ability of states to deliver secure, reliable and innovative technology services to the public.” The letter also called on Congress to reauthorize FirstNet and to preserve states’ authority to lead on responsible artificial intelligence governance.

A group of eight state and local civil rights agencies is urging the federal government to preserve longstanding workforce demographic reporting requirements, arguing that eliminating the data could make it harder to identify and investigate employment discrimination. In a letter to the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, the agencies argue that the federal data provides a baseline for civil rights enforcement and that ending it will not end workplace discrimination.

Nebraska plans to expand its use of artificial intelligence following a three-month pilot of Tyler Technologies’ Resident AI Assistant at the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. The Cornhusker State will deploy the AI assistant statewide, while its DMV will expand use of Tyler’s Document Automation platform to modernize motor carrier operations and compliance processes.

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