Published on July 9, 2026
Mississippi has a statewide AI framework, but Dr. Kollin Napier argues that the real test starts the next day. In a new Reboot Democracy piece, he reflects on what it takes to move from published policy to actual adoption: sustained investment in workforce training, governance, staffing, and implementation capacity. From the AI Risk Explorer SPAR project, Elana Banin and colleagues argue that AI is pulling commercial tech firms into military operations and making cloud infrastructure, data centers, subsea cables, and AI models strategic targets. And a new piece from U.S. Digital Response and InnovateUS outlines what it takes to build UX capacity in government: not more technology, but leadership, cross-agency collaboration, and starting with residents
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Governing AI
Illinois has become the first U.S. state to require independent annual audits of frontier AI developers’ safety practices. Signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker, the bipartisan legislation mandates risk mitigation frameworks, third-party safety audits, rapid reporting of critical incidents, and whistleblower protections for employees raising AI safety concerns.
Read articleAI for Governance
Mississippi’s statewide AI framework establishes priorities for AI readiness, but Dr. Kollin Napier argues that successful adoption depends on what happens after publication. Drawing on his leadership of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN), he explains that frameworks must be backed by sustained investment in workforce training, governance, staffing, and implementation capacity. The piece emphasizes that AI readiness is built through institutions, accountability, and practical support—not policy documents alone.
Read articleAI for Governance
Drawing on a three-part learning series hosted by U.S. Digital Response and InnovateUS, this article outlines practical lessons for building user experience (UX) capacity in government. Rather than starting with technology, it emphasizes talking to residents early, choosing small, high-impact projects, and creating organizational support for UX teams. The series argues that improving public services depends not only on hiring UX professionals, but also on leadership, cross-agency collaboration, and a sustained commitment to user-centered government.
Read articleAI and Elections
This analysis explores how AI is reshaping U.S. politics, from campaign finance, political advertising, and voter outreach to debates over jobs, data centers, and AI regulation. As Beth Simone Noveck notes, this is “the first AI election from a substantive perspective,” with AI becoming a central political issue rather than simply a campaign tool. The article argues that AI is increasingly influencing the policy debates and voter concerns that will shape future campaigns.
Read articleAI and Public Safety
After devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, software engineer Jorge Bastidas and a volunteer network rapidly built an open-source platform to reconnect missing people with their families. Within hours, the team deployed a database-driven portal, later adding AI-powered facial recognition to help hospitals identify survivors and integrating data-sharing with humanitarian organizations.
Read articleAI and Public Engagement
Drawing on her experience advising governments and leading initiatives such as InnovateUS and AI for Impact, Beth Simone Noveck discusses how AI can strengthen communities, improve public problem-solving, and create new opportunities when paired with education, democratic participation,e and responsible governance. The episode encourages listeners to approach AI with curiosity and confidence while emphasizing the importance of building the skills needed to shape its future.
Read articleAI and Public Engagement
Drawing on a new OECD report analyzing 50 AI use cases across 22 countries, this article examines how AI can strengthen citizen participation by improving consultation, deliberation, translation, moderation, and analysis of public input. Governments should pair AI with transparency, human oversight, digital inclusion, and meaningful citizen involvement in the design and governance of AI systems to build trust and improve public decision-making.
Read articleAI Infrastructure
Government oversight of proprietary models is prompting businesses and developers to consider open-source alternatives, which offer greater transparency, auditability, and user control. At the same time, experts warn that limiting access to U.S. frontier models could accelerate global adoption of lower-cost Chinese open-source models, raising new questions about competitiveness, innovation, and AI governance.
Read articleAI and International Relations
Drawing on the AI Risk Explorer SPAR project, this piece examines how AI is reshaping conflict by changing the systems, actors, and infrastructure that become contested once war begins. The authors argue AI expands who can participate in conflict, pulls commercial technology firms into military operations, and makes cloud infrastructure, data centers, subsea cables, and AI models strategic targets. The piece warns that these dual-use systems also support democratic governance, making accountability, oversight, and civic resilience urgent public concerns.
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