Madyson Fitzgerald

50 states, one place

As more than 23 million households nationwide lose pandemic-era federal aid to pay for internet services, some states and localities have expanded their broadband initiatives and programs to help fill the gap.

As more people become victims of deepfake pornography, state lawmakers are pursuing legislation to deter the unauthorized creation and dissemination of digitally altered images.

AI technology can improve health care processes by automating administrative work, offering virtual nursing assistance and more. But some health care providers are concerned about the lack of policies in place regarding its use.

Native nations have historically lagged in access to high-speed internet because of challenges in getting the money and incomplete broadband coverage data. Despite a recent increase in state and federal funding to expand broadband across the country, some Native nations are taking the matter into their own hands.

While organizations and experts have tried to define artificial intelligence, there is no consensus on a single definition. That has challenged legislators trying to craft regulations for the growing technology. In 2023, lawmakers in at least 24 states and the District of Columbia introduced bills related to AI, and at least 14 states adopted resolutions or enacted legislation.

Consumers interested in sustainable foods that avoid the slaughter of animals are driving growth in the lab-cultivated meat industry. But, pushed by the cattle and poultry industries, more states are defining what can be sold to consumers as “meat” and are requiring prominent labels on products cultured in labs.

As artificial intelligence finds its way into aspects of everyday life and becomes increasingly advanced, some state legislators feel a new urgency to create regulations for its use in the hiring process. Commonly known as AI, artificial intelligence has been adopted by a quarter of businesses in the United States. Few states have kept up.

Legislatures in many states, including Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia, have passed laws aimed at giving parents control over or banning explicit sexual materials from classrooms. But school districts in many of the states with new laws are still figuring out whether that includes library books, books used in the classroom or both.