How AI Is Transforming the Way Government Works

by  Adam Stone

People are less worried about AI taking humans' jobs than they once were, but introducing bots to the public-sector workplace has brought new questions around integration, ethics and management.

While initial fears suggested AI would replace human workers, state and local governments are instead using it to enhance productivity. In Maryland, Georgia, and New Jersey, officials report that AI efficiently handles routine tasks like drafting emails, summarizing documents, and monitoring cybersecurity logs.

This allows employees to focus on complex problem– solving and citizen needs. However, challenges remain—including the potential for worker burnout as chatbots leave only difficult cases for humans, and the risk of AI being used to justify downsizing. To navigate this, leaders are prioritizing responsible policies and training. Georgia's CIO Shawnzia Thomas emphasizes that while roles are being redefined, the focus must stay on “task reallocation, rather than job elimination,” ensuring workers are upskilled for this new digital era.

 Read full story at GovTech…

Kirsten Davies Sworn in as Pentagon CIO

by  Edward Graham

In a September letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee, more than 100 cyber professionals voiced support for Davies' confirmation and said “she has built a reputation as a world-class cybersecurity executive.”

Summary

Kirsten Davies has been sworn in as the Pentagon’s Chief Information Officer, becoming the Defense Department’s first permanent IT head during Trump 2.0.

The Senate confirmed Davies on December 18, 2025, as part of a slate of technology nominees that also included Ethan Klein for U.S. chief technology officer and Pedro Allende to lead the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology office. The DOD CIO office LinkedIn page announced her official swearing-in on December 23, which she also shared in a personal post.

Nominated by President Trump in May 2025, Davies brings deep experience from IT and cybersecurity roles at Unilever, the Estée Lauder Companies, and Booz Allen Hamilton. She also founded and served as CEO of the nonprofit Institute for Cyber, dedicated to promoting digital safety. Her nomination received strong endorsement from more than 100 cybersecurity experts who praised her proven leadership and ability to build trust in complex environments.

 Read full story at NextGov…

Louisville, Kentucky, Joins Growing Number of Cities Bringing AI to Permitting

by  Ryan Kushner

The city also appointed its first-ever chief AI officer to lead its effort to “harness the power” of artificial intelligence.

Summary

As the housing affordability crisis continues to grip cities across the country, more local governments are reexamining their permitting processes to expedite housing development approvals — and some are turning to AI for assistance.

Los Angeles, Austin, Texas, and Honolulu are among the cities incorporating AI to streamline their processes. Hernando County, Florida, reported that it reduced its zoning review process from 30 days to just two using AI.

Govstream.ai has collaborated with Bellevue, Washington, to pilot an AI program aimed at improving the city's permitting process.

In Louisville, officials noted that the current permitting process “can be unpredictable and cause delays, leading to frustration for those seeking to complete projects on time and on budget.”The collaboration with Govstream.ai has a fee cap of $30,000 for the term, per an RFP.

Greenberg introduced McKnight as the city's first chief AI officer in a Dec. 5, 2025 social media video, stating, “Our mission is simple. Our mission is to harness the power of AI to enable our employees to better serve our citizens.”

 Read full story at SmarCitiesDIVE…

Apple, Google Sign Deal to Use Gemini AI to Help Build the Future of Siri

by  Emily Forlini

Multiple reports from the last year indicated that Apple was searching for an AI partner, suggesting that its own Apple Foundation Models were not performing well enough in testing.

Summary

Apple is partnering with Google to use Gemini AI for future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri, set to launch in 2026.

This collaboration follows reports of Apple's search for an AI partner due to underperformance of its own Apple Foundation Models. The partnership is a win for Google, whose Gemini 3 model outperformed OpenAI's latest models.

 Read full story at PCMag…

How to Remove Copilot AI From Windows 11

by  Lance Whitney

You don't have to live with Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11. Here's how to get rid of it, once and for all.

Summary

While Microsoft promotes its Copilot AI as a revolutionary “agentic OS,” many users are pushing back, preferring a cleaner platform focused on stability rather than forced AI features. Critics argue that Microsoft should prioritize fixing persistent Windows bugs instead of integrating tools that often hallucinate, consume excessive system resources, or risk private data.

For those seeking to reclaim their workspace, the article outlines several methods to “put the kibosh” on Copilot. Users can disable the app at startup, uninstall it via settings, or use the Registry and Group Policy Editor to prevent its return through future updates. For a total purge, advanced scripts like “Remove Windows AI—available on GitHub” offer deeper removal of integrated AI components and hooks.

 Read full story at ZDNet…

Record $17 Billion Estimated Stolen in Crypto Scams and Fraud in 2025

by  Chainalysis Team

Major scam operations became increasingly industrialized, with sophisticated infrastructure, including phishing-as-a-service tools, AI-generated deepfakes, and professional money laundering networks.

Summary

The 2025 cryptocurrency landscape saw a staggering $17 billion lost to fraud, driven by an industrialization of scam operations. Impersonation tactics experienced an explosive 1400% year-over-year growth, while AI-enabled schemes proved 4.5 times more profitable than traditional methods. These sophisticated operations leverage “phishing-as-a-service” tools and deepfakes, often rooted in Southeast Asian crime networks utilizing forced labor.

Despite these rising threats, 2025 marked a turning point for global law enforcement. Authorities executed record-breaking seizures, including 61,000 Bitcoin in the UK and $15 billion linked to the Prince Group. As scammers transition from centralized exchanges to decentralized finance (DeFi) and Chinese-language money laundering networks, experts emphasize that 2026 will require proactive, cross-border coordination and advanced AI detection to dismantle these resilient criminal infrastructures.

 Read full story at Chainalysis…

Meta Inks Nuclear Deals for Up to 6.6 GW From Oklo, Vistra, TerraPower

by  Diana DiGangi

The agreements invest in future deliveries of advanced nuclear technology while also procuring power from existing plants and uprates.

Summary

Meta is increasing its investment in nuclear generation for data centers, having secured deals with Oklo, Vistra, and TerraPower to supply up to 6.6 GW of nuclear power by 2035. This announcement follows a December request for proposals aimed at accelerating new nuclear generation and achieving cost reductions through multiple unit deployments, with all power directed to the PJM region.

In June, Meta finalized a 20-year nuclear agreement with Constellation for its Illinois data centers. The recent collaborations aim to meet the anticipated electricity demands of upcoming data centers without imposing costs on consumers. Oklo plans to develop a 1.2 GW power campus in Ohio to support Meta's regional data centers, including the Prometheus AI supercluster.

Meta's agreements also include a 20-year contract with Vistra for over 2.1 GW from multiple Ohio nuclear plants and funding for two of TerraPower's sodium fast reactors, which are not expected to deliver power until at least 2032.

 Read full story at UtilityDive…

Microsoft Rolls Out Initiative to Limit Data-Center Power Costs, Water Use Impact

by  Deborah Sophia

The company will pay utility rates to cover power costs, work with utilities to expand supply, and replenish more water than consumed

Summary

On Tuesday, Microsoft announced an initiative aimed at reducing water usage in its U.S. data centers while mitigating the impact of potential power price surges on local communities. As political leaders advocate for rapid expansion in data-center capacity to maintain competitiveness in AI, concerns have emerged regarding the effects of these energy-intensive facilities on utility bills and the environment.

Microsoft pledged to cover its power costs by paying utility rates and collaborating with local utilities to expand supply as necessary. Additionally, the company committed to replenishing more water than it consumes and will begin publishing water-use data for each U.S. region.

Vice Chair Brad Smith emphasized the responsibility of profitable tech companies to avoid passing on additional electricity costs to the public. Following this announcement, President Trump noted Microsoft's changes in AI infrastructure to address these concerns. Microsoft is also supporting a new rate structure in Wisconsin to shield consumers from data center power costs, alongside training local residents for jobs related to its facilities.

 Read full story at Reutes…

Where States Stand on Nuclear

by  Kristy Hartman

State support for nuclear energy is at an all-time high, with 45 states actively engaged in nuclear policymaking in 2025.

Summary

In 2025, nuclear energy entered a transformative era as 45 states engaged in record-breaking policymaking. State legislatures introduced over 350 bills, signaling a bipartisan shift toward viewing nuclear power as essential for grid reliability and decarbonization. This momentum is driven by the need to meet rising electricity demands from data centers and manufacturing without compromising affordability.

ey developments include Texas allocating $350 million for nuclear projects andTennessee earmarking $50 million for small modular reactors (SMRs). Additionally, states like Connecticut and Illinois repealed outdated moratoriums, while others classified nuclear as “clean energy” to unlock financial incentives. From reopening retired plants to launching task forces, states are moving from policy signaling to execution—positioning nuclear as the backbone of the U.S. energy landscape for generations.

 Read full story at Nuclear Newswire…