Predictions 2026: Three Ways Government Tech Will Surprise Us This Year

by  John Breeden II

2026 looks like a year when government technology settles into its next phase of maturity.

Summary

In 2026, federal technology will mature beyond hype, with three key developments quietly reshaping government operations.

First, AI will become ubiquitous — the “most promoted intern” handling summaries, tagging, scheduling, and more. Agencies will leverage shared platforms like USAi for secure experimentation, turning AI into a routine footnote in documents and decisions. While it won’t replace workers, it will shift focus from clerical tasks to oversight, though its inner workings may remain opaque.

Second, zero trust cybersecurity will evolve from compliance checklists to measurable scorecards. Leaders will demand quantifiable outcomes – reduced lateral movement, fewer phishing successes, and faster anomaly detection – using digital twins to test policies and tie maturity to real risk reduction.

Third, “simulate first” will become the default risk strategy. Before committing resources to new systems, policies, or services, agencies will test via digital twins and simulations across cybersecurity, disaster response, AI governance, and more — failing fast in virtual environments to ensure resiliency.

Overall, 2026 marks technology’s quiet integration: AI routine, zero trust results-driven, and simulation essential — transforming how government decides, manages risk, and serves missions without fanfare.

 Read full story at NextGov…

US Government to Take 25% Cut of AMD, NVIDIA AI Sales to China

by  Aime Williams, Michael Acton, Camilla Hodgson, and Eleanor Olcott

These new tariffs are designed to survive legal challenges.

Summary

The US government will take a 25% cut of AMD and NVIDIA AI sales to China. This is part of a new tariff scheme designed to implement payments and protect the arrangement from legal challenges.

The tariffs will apply to chips like the H200 and MI325X, but not to chips used for domestic AI infrastructure.

 Read full story at arsTECHNICA…

Why State CIOs Should Treat Data as Their Most Strategic Asset

by  Francisco Ramirez

Strong artificial intelligence plans depend on clean, governed data.

Summary

State CIOs must treat data as their most strategic asset for successful AI deployments. Strong artificial intelligence plans depend on clean, governed, and trustworthy data.

Francisco Ramirez, Chief Architect of State and Local Government for Red Hat, argues that data – not flashy technologies – is the true foundation of effective AI. Agencies should move beyond viewing data as a mere by-product of operations and instead recognize it as an essential resource underpinning efforts to improve efficiency and citizen service.

To succeed, governments need to break down data silos through open collaboration, build robust governance frameworks with input from data owners and experts, and cultivate a data-literate culture across the workforce. This requires ongoing education, communication, and a mindset shift toward seeing data as a shared organizational asset.

 Read full story at StateTech…

Gmail Launches AI Inbox and Overviews With Gemini

by  Anna Iovine

Users will be able to ask their inboxes questions — for a cost.

Summary

Google officially ushered Gmail into the “Gemini era,” transforming it into a personal, proactive inbox assistant, accordera,” transforming it into a personal, proactive inbox assistant, according to a blog post by VP of Product Blake Barnes.

Key new features include AI Overviews , which summarize email threads, highlight key information, and answer natural-language questions about your inbox—available only to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. The forthcoming AI Inbox aims to filter clutter, offering personalized briefings, to-do highlights, and priority emails from key contacts, with processing done securely while keeping data under user control.

All users now gain access to Help Me Write for drafting emails and updateAll users now gain access to Help Me Write for drafting emails and updated Suggested Replies. A Proofread tool for grammar, tone, and style is exclusive to paid subscribers.

Key new features include AI Overviews, which summarize email threads, highlight key information, and answer natural-language questions about your inbox—available only to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. The forthcoming AI Inbox aims to filter clutter, offering personalized briefings, to-do highlights, and priority emails from key contacts, with processing done securely while keeping data under user control.

All users now gain access to Help Me Write for drafting emails and updated Suggested Replies. A Proofread tool for grammar, tone, and style is exclusive to paid subscribers.

These updates build on prior Gemini integrations to streamline email management.

 Read full story at Mashable…

Here Are All the iOS 26 Tips and Tricks You Need to Know

by  Zachary McAuliffe

Curious about whether you can change your iPhone's Liquid Glass design or how to get rid of your alarm slider? Look no further.

Summary

iOS 26, released in September, introduced new features like call screening and the Liquid Glass design.

This guide helps users navigate and utilize the latest features, including hidden ones, and keep track of subsequent updates. It covers topics like removing the alarm slider, enabling privacy features, and utilizing new Apple Music features.

 Read full story at CNET…

The Best Free AI Courses and Certificates for Upskilling in 2026

by  David Gewirtz

David Gewirtz worked with AI for decades and have a master's degree in education. Here are the top free AI courses online that I recommend — and why.

Summary

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ZDNET's key takeaways: Essential AI skills can be learned for free, online courses simplify mastering generative AI, and building knowledge now enhances career prospects.

Generative AI is a transformative technology already reshaping work, business, and daily life across sectors. While using tools like ChatGPT is simple, turning them into productive assets requires skill development. Fortunately, high-quality free resources abound — from platforms like LinkedIn Learning, HarvardX CS50, Microsoft, AWS, IBM, DeepLearning.AI (with OpenAI), Google, Udemy, and specialized courses on secure AI development and education.

These offer courses, certifications, and credentials (some free, others with optional paid verification). The author, an AI expert, has tested many and recommends exploring them to boost expertise without cost.

 Read full story at ZDNet…

Google Sees CO2 Batteries as Large-Scale Way to Store Renewable Energy

by  Robert Freedman

Google is working with a Milan-based company called Energy Dome, which has built a model facility in Ottana, Sardinia, Italy.

Summary

Google is investing in CO2 batteries, developed by Energy Dome, to provide long-duration, scalable energy storage for its data centers.

These batteries, which store energy by compressing and expanding CO2, offer greater capacity and cost-effectiveness compared to lithium-ion batteries.

While the expandable domes may face local opposition, the technology presents a promising solution for renewable energy storage.

 Read full story at UtilityDive…

How Can Utilities Improve Their Distribution Planning for Better Resiliency and Restoration?

by  Jason Endsley

Jason Endsley asks the question: How do we build, maintain, and—when things go wrong—restore the system faster and more reliably with the resources we have?

Summary

Utilities can improve distribution planning for better resiliency and restoration by focusing on three key areas: improving outage intelligence at the point of contact, turning outage data into planning insights, and equipping districts with rapid restoration tools.

This includes training call center staff, adopting technology for better data capture, and investing in specialized tools like temporary poles and high voltage trailers. By leveraging data and technology, utilities can enhance system resiliency, reduce outage times, and improve customer satisfaction.

 Read full story at FactorThis…

US Renewable Power Capacity Set to Reach More Than 1 TW by 2035

by  Editor

Renewable power capacity in the United States is set to reach around 1.06 TW by 2035, up from around 414.5 GW in 2024

Summary

The US operates the world's largest and most diversified electricity system, backed by abundant domestic resources, regional markets, and a varied technology mix. Federal policy since 2025 prioritizes energy security, domestic manufacturing, and firm generation, yet state clean energy mandates, utility programs, and private-sector demand—especially from tech, manufacturing, and data centers—continue shaping investments. Renewables dominate new capacity additions.

GlobalData's report “United States (US) Power Market Outlook to 2035” projects total installed capacity more than doubling from 414.5 GW in 2024 to 1.06 TW by 2035. Solar capacity is forecast to surge from 231.4 GW to 737.8 GW, onshore wind from 156 GW to 269 GW, supported by state standards, utility contracts, and corporate PPAs.

Offshore wind faces repeated 2025 disruptions, including federal halts, funding cuts, and suspension of five Atlantic projects over national security concerns, delaying near-term additions. Coal and oil retirements persist, while natural gas rises to 620.9 GW and nuclear to 102 GW by 2035.

Despite 2025 trade tariffs raising costs for imported renewable components and causing delays, renewables remain the primary growth driver, with $442.2 billion in investments expected from 2025–2030, fostering a more diversified and resilient power sector.

 Read full story at GlobalData…