Nikki Davidson, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Talking Agentic AI Cameras: Can They Prevent Crime?

3 weeks ago | govtech.com | Nikki Davidson

The technology analyzes footage to detect activity and determine a best course of action. This can include directly speaking to individuals with personalized, AI-generated voice warnings, without human intervention. Steve Lindsey, LiveView’s chief information and technology officer and co-founder, explained to Government Technology that major law enforcement agencies in San Francisco and Detroit use LVT mobile surveillance technology for real-time event awareness.
The Cybersecurity Catch That Comes With Free Public Wi-Fi

1 month ago | govtech.com | Nikki Davidson

New research out of New York City reveals that less than 10 years after the launch of one of largest and fastest free municipal Wi-Fi networks in the world, more than half of residents are now using that Wi-Fi at least once a month, with nearly one-third using it weekly. HarrisX surveyed1,528 New Yorkers in 2025 about the service, and found that the amount of people using the Wi-Fi had increased since 2023.
Governments Have an Imposter Problem. What Can They Do?

1 month ago | govtech.com | Nikki Davidson

According to the latest numbers in the 2024 Internet Crime Report, the number of victims who reported scams from bogus government agencies to the FBI jumped by more than 50 percent from 11,554 in 2022 to 17,367 in 2024. While victim counts have risen, the financial devastation is alarming. Total reported losses from government impersonation scams in the U.S. exploded from $12 million in 2015 to more than $405 million in 2024.
When the Government Should Say ‘No’ to an AI Use Case

1 month ago | govtech.com | Noelle Knell |Nikki Davidson

States across the nation are creating "sandboxes"and otherwise encouraging experimentation with AI that enables more effective and efficient operations. Call it, perhaps, AI with a purpose. But advancing innovation in government comes with risk. In Colorado, CIO David Edinger said his office has so far reviewed about 120 ideas for potential uses of AI in state government. Below, he explains how they vet agency proposals to use AI.
What Should Your State IT Organization Look Like in 20 Years?

1 month ago | insider.govtech.com | Noelle Knell |Nikki Davidson

Editor's note: The following article was originally published by Industry Insider — California's sister publication, Government Technology, as part of its coverage of the recent National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) midyear conference in Philadelphia last week. A critical component of any leadership position is planning for the future — and thinking about the necessary steps to ensure your organization is pointed in that direction.
Artificial Intelligence Can Help Government Be More Accessible

1 month ago | govtech.com | Noelle Knell |Nikki Davidson

By now, most states have established their version of AI governance — normally a cross-sector body convened to encourage smart innovation that capitalizes on the potential of the technology to deliver services more efficiently while protecting citizen data from inappropriate use. As government moves from AI policy to practical application, some technology leaders are finding unexpected benefits that help them advance other priorities as well: namely, their accessibility goals.
Robot Dogs, Untapped Talent: Philly Youth Impress at NASCIO

1 month ago | govtech.com | Nikki Davidson

It was the talents of Sybir, a high school senior who also leads the West Philly High lacrosse team, maneuvering a $27,000 quadruped robot dog in handstands, crawls and bounces all on a smartphone app that stopped people in their tracks.
What Should Your State IT Organization Look Like in 20 Years?

1 month ago | govtech.com | Noelle Knell |Nikki Davidson

A critical component of any leadership position is planning for the future — and thinking about the necessary steps to ensure your organization is pointed in that direction. At last week's National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Midyear Conference in Philadelphia, GT asked technology leaders to consider what their IT organizations should look like a decade or two from now. Iowa CIO Matt Behrens envisions a shift for his IT workforce toward more strategic work.
Tariff Uncertainty, Budget Constraints Create ‘Tricky’ Budget Picture for States

1 month ago | govtech.com | Noelle Knell |Nikki Davidson

PHILADELPHIA — State technology leaders are grappling with the Trump administration's evolving tariff policy as well as reduced federal support to states — a topic of discussion among CIOs this week at the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Midyear Conference. They’re considering impacts on how they purchase technology and focusing on priority initiatives that maximize benefits to residents. But there’s still a lot they don’t know.
Good Data is Key to Strong Artificial Intelligence Programs, Chief Information Officers Say

1 month ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Nikki Davidson

Share Apr. 24—The 2023 State CIO Survey from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) asked 49 state IT chiefs how they would rate the maturity of their data governance over enterprise information management. The majority, 69 percent, reported they were only in the "beginning stages" of their governance structure. While 27 percent considered their governance to be "mature," NASCIO Executive Director Doug Robinson isn't convinced.