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What to Know:
- The Department of Cannabis Control is asking the Legislature for money to support IT enhancements and comply with recently signed legislation.
- Assembly Bill 8 created new oversight and enforcement mandates for the department that will require funding and resources.
- The department has also issued an RFP for a new Laboratory Information Management System Replacement project, with bids due in March.
News
The Mountain View-based company has announced the expansion of its fleet of self-driving taxis. The company plans to incorporate electric vehicles from Hyundai.
A New Jersey-based company that supplies IT workers throughout Silicon Valley and the Bay Area was intentionally discriminating against non-Indian workers and abusing the H-1B visa process, a jury has found.
“I am delighted the new and improved CA.gov website will be an information hub for current and future residents,” said state Chief Information Officer Liana Bailey-Crimmins. “Through CA.gov, we can deliver more services efficiently and with greater consideration of the needs of our communities.”
“The ideal candidate will possess a profound understanding of IT architecture and platforms, coupled with a proven ability to foster and sustain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, IT technical staff, legal teams, and industry experts,” the recruitment notice says.
The capital city of Silicon Valley is looking for an experienced candidate to lead cybersecurity operations. The posting closes later this month.
“Our most consistent work in California is bringing money into agencies through flexible repayment terms,” says Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO and co-founder of Promise, a fast-growing tech company focused on the efficient distribution of government benefits.
Los Angeles County has three IT-related project solicitations planned for the coming months. Details are scarce, but they could be worth watching for the right vendor.
Five of the 10 largest expenditures were made by two entities: the Office of Systems Integration, part of the California Health and Human Services Agency; and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
CIO John Roussel, CTO Tony Tran and CTIO Vivek Kaushal will discuss CDPH’s IT organization, key priorities, current projects and future plans in the briefing, which begins at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 14.
An audit last spring recommended that the city use mapping software to reduce the distances between pothole jobs; the city will explore it.
“This new law will equip all California students with the skills and training they need to be safe, ethical and successful users of AI as it becomes more mainstream,” said the bill’s author, Assemblymember Marc Berman.
The controversial bill to establish comprehensive AI guardrails died by veto over the weekend on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, but this won’t be the last attempt to set rules. Newsom has pledged to work with lawmakers to balance between regulation and innovation.
The department received funding this year for an enterprise data governance system, and a source told those interested to check after the new year for a possible solicitation.
Many state chief information and security officers say they don’t have the budget, resources, staff or expertise to feel fully confident in their ability to guard their government networks against cyberattacks, according to a survey of officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The leading voices in California's foray into generative AI shared their experiences so far, highlighting new opportunities for collaboration and the challenges that still need to be addressed.
Matthew Zhou, an insider with the Office of Data and Innovation, was sworn in as the state's new assistant chief data officer.
The California Department of Health Care Services is in the information-gathering stage of a project to replace its “outdated” human resources system.
Positions are in recruitment by the Department of Justice, the Employment Development Department, the California Department of State Hospitals and the Department of General Services.
“Governments have a unique opportunity to harness the potential of AI to improve citizen services, but the success of these initiatives hinges on strong leadership,” writes veteran gov tech executive Steve Monaghan.
The state has been identified as one of the top leaders in the IT space, tackling such complex issues as equitable connectivity, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
“After nearly seven years with the city already, I think I’ve got a good sense of where the challenges lie, but also, more importantly, how to get things done,” Michael Makstman said.
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