Thad Rueter, Government Technology Journalist Profile

Articles

Compliance Tech Firm Kovr.ai Makes Its Official Debut

3 weeks ago | govtech.com | Thad Rueter

A compliance technology supplier that is targeting the state government market has emerged from “stealth,” propelled by a $3.6 million seed funding round. Virginia-based Kovr.ai, which describes itself as an “AI-native cyber compliance automation platform provider,” will use the capital to hire more AI engineering and product development teams, according to a statement. IronGate and Xfund led the funding round, which also included Hack Factory, OODA Ventures and McLean Capital.
New York State Has Fallen Behind in NG911, Audit Says

3 weeks ago | govtech.com | Thad Rueter

New York needs to get its act together when it comes to upgrading its emergency dispatch technology, according to an audit from the state comptroller. In general, the state’s push to bring Next-Generation 911 (NG911) tools to residents “is years behind schedule,” according to a statement from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
911 Tech Firm Prepared Raises $80M as It Touts AI Tools

4 weeks ago | govtech.com | Thad Rueter

Prepared, a 911 tech supplier focused on , has raised $80 million in a funding round involving one of the biggest venture capital firms in the world. Prepared has now raised more than $130 million as it brings more AI power to 911 operators, part of the nationwide push to upgrade emergency dispatch technology. Prepared launched in 2019.
Flock Safety Pushes Back on Data Breach Product Criticism

4 weeks ago | govtech.com | Thad Rueter

It’s the latest development in a controversy attached to one of the newest products on offer from the public safety technology supplier. A report from 404 Media said that some of the data that powers the Nova platform from Flock come from data breaches. On Friday, Flock said that it will not supply data from the dark web — meaning data bought via “known data breaches or stolen data,” according to the statement. Flock Safety has said “no” to data sourced from the so-called dark web.
Flock’s Newest Police Tool Sparks Data Controversy

1 month ago | govtech.com | Thad Rueter

As public safety technology turns more precise, concerns grow about privacy and the sources of data used by police via all the new tools. The latest example of such controversy involves Flock Safety. The Atlanta-based company, probably best known for its license plate reading technology, or LPR, has a new product called Nova.
New AI ‘Wizard’ Seeks to Help Agencies Craft Policies

1 month ago | govtech.com | Thad Rueter

The free-to-use AI Policy Wizard comes from Darwin, a startup that recently raised $5 million. The company focuses on AI adoption, governance and compliance for public agencies, and its new tool will help officials craft “practical, compliant, and customized AI policies from the ground up,” according to a statement from Darwin. Artificial intelligence, like so many new and advanced technologies, can seem almost magical.
What’s Next for AI in U.S. Hazard Management and Policy?

1 month ago | govtech.com | Thad Rueter

As the threat and continue to increase, geospatial platform supplier Forerunner is putting more trust into the hands of AI. The move is another reflection of the progress of technology in an area of government vital to public agencies — dealing with natural emergencies and other potential disasters. Much of that progress involves new geospatial and mapping tools.
FCC Proposes Better Wireless Location Data for 911 Calls

1 month ago | govtech.com | Thad Rueter

Better location accuracy could come to 911 calls under a proposal recently released by the Federal Communications Commission. The agency is seeking comments on a proposal to “strengthen wireless 911 location accuracy rules and to put more actionable location information in the hands of Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and first responders.”The FCC says it will accept comments until June 6, with reply comments due no later than July 7.
Esper’s New Policy Lab Is Growing and Has Big Gov Tech Goals

1 month ago | govtech.com | Thad Rueter

Esper, which sells policy management software to local and state governments, along with major police departments, is building what amounts to a government policy library. It’s the latest example of de facto consultancies and so-called innovation labs helping to fuel growth and advancement in the industry.
Jason Neilitz

1 month ago | govtech.com | Thad Rueter

Neilitz serves as CIO for the Sokaogon Chippewa Community in Wisconsin, a job that gives him responsibility for tech activities for 20 tribal departments. It puts him in the front seat for cybersecurity, telehealth, distance learning and other areas that make up so much of government technology. Infrastructure is the main need, he said, and that opens the door to bringing in tools already used in relatively wealthy urban areas. “Tech can create an equilibrium,” he said.