Officials from Washington are taking the lead in making technology more accessible and examining how it can improve the lives of citizens.
Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a bill creating a statewide broadband office to expand internet access in underserved areas. And in Congress, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Medina, have introduced “Smart Cities” legislation to help facilitate projects that better connect residents to their local governments.
In both cases, the efforts reflect a 21st century approach to improving commerce, education and government services. While “infrastructure” typically is viewed as bridges and roads and the like, in the digital age it also refers to internet services and high-tech innovation. Machine learning, data analytics and automation are essential to creating the economy of the future while improving efficiency and lowering costs.
The state broadband office has an initial budget of $21 million, and the governor’s office hopes to grow that to $100 million over the next four years. The office will work to secure federal funds while supporting projects that expand broadband to communities lacking reliable internet service.
“The digital divide should not limit any Washingtonian’s ability to learn, innovate or connect through robust internet access, whether it is students researching ideas at home, first responders handling an emergency or entrepreneurs launching a business,” Inslee said. “This proposal will help bring broadband access to all Washingtonians.” The law establishes a goal of providing high-speed broadband access to all Washington residents by 2024.
The need for the legislation is reflected in the fact that it passed the state Senate 48-0 and the House of Representatives 97-1. Rep. Vicki Kraft, R-Vancouver, cast the only dissenting vote.
Meanwhile, the Smart Cities and Communities bill in Congress would authorize $220 million for each of five years to support municipal projects throughout the country. “Investing in emerging smart city technologies is one of the biggest opportunities for our nation to remain the world’s unmatched leader in innovation,” said DelBene, who represents Washington’s 1st District. “Getting smart city technology to local governments will ensure they can make smart investments that attract businesses, create jobs, and improve critical infrastructure.”
Smart City technology employs the “internet of things.” As Nick Ismail explains for Information-Age.com: “The IoT is a network of physical connected devices, like vehicles or home appliances, that enable these ‘things’ to connect and exchange data. This, in turn, is creating never-before-seen opportunities to converge the physical and the digital — via data analytics — to improve efficiency (both in public and private sectors), drive economic benefits and improve livelihoods.” In the home, it can be used to tell Alexa to turn on the porch light. At the municipal level, it can be used to improve traffic flow or save energy or better connect residents to available services.
Improved connectivity with high-tech functions also calls for improved security. Major tech companies have come under increasing criticism for a series of breaches that have exposed the personal information of customers, and governments must assure the public that privacy protections are adequate.
But fear of technology should not prevent the public from embracing the economic and educational potential of innovation. Washington leaders are wise to pursue systems that help technology work for our benefit.
