Technology policy writer

Priya Shah

Priya covers the policy choices behind public technology: how agencies buy AI, how data rules reach classrooms, and how infrastructure contracts become political tests.

Beat: Technology, procurement, AI, and public-sector data systems
Base: Washington, DC
Archive: 7 stories

A white robot displayed against a warm wall

Technology

Cities write a common rulebook for facial recognition

A municipal coalition is trying to replace scattered bans and secret pilots with one enforceable standard for biometric systems.

By Priya ShahJul 20, 2026 / 8 min

A blue robotic hand displayed against teal

Technology

Open-source voting tools move from pilot to procurement

Election offices are learning that transparent code still requires durable vendors, accessible interfaces, and a realistic maintenance budget.

Priya ShahJul 14, 2026 / 7 min

Blue network cables connected to server equipment

Technology

Cloud audits expose the hidden geography of public data

Agencies are discovering that a simple residency promise can conceal backups, support access, and subcontractors across several borders.

Priya ShahJul 8, 2026 / 7 min

A person browsing books in a tall library

Technology

Schools demand proof before buying classroom AI

A shared evaluation standard asks vendors to document accuracy, teacher control, accessibility, and the real cost of opting out.

Priya ShahJul 2, 2026 / 7 min

A warm library lined with wooden bookshelves

Technology

Digital identity wallets meet their accessibility test

Disability advocates are moving from consultation to live trials that measure whether identity tools work under real pressure.

Priya ShahJun 26, 2026 / 6 min

A grand library interior with balconies and reading rooms

Technology

Civic tech labs move into public libraries

Shared workrooms are giving residents a place to test public apps, report access problems, and shape digital services before launch.

Priya ShahJun 24, 2026 / 5 min

Technology

Satellite data rules enter local climate budgets

Cities want clearer standards for the orbital imagery now used to verify heat, land use, flood exposure, and infrastructure spending.

Priya ShahJun 22, 2026 / 6 min

Priya Shah

Cities write a common rulebook for facial recognition

Open-source voting tools move from pilot to procurement

Cloud audits expose the hidden geography of public data

Schools demand proof before buying classroom AI

Digital identity wallets meet their accessibility test

Civic tech labs move into public libraries

Satellite data rules enter local climate budgets

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