| MOST POPULAR Do Taxis Need Drivers? The pandemic has raised the profile of autonomous vehicles for deliveries of food and medical supplies, but it’s also opening some minds on getting people from place to place. At the CoMotion conference earlier this month, a handful of autonomous vehicle companies discussed their plans to roll out additional uses for driverless cars, including as robo-taxis. GT’s Skip Descant has more on other plans to expand uses of the technology in the public domain. COVID-19 and the Case for Tech “Technology has become the — in some cases the only — connection between the governments and the citizens we serve,” said Illinois Chief Information Officer Ron Guerrier, referring to the impact of the pandemic. Guerrier was joined by several other public-sector technology leaders last week at a virtual event hosted by IBM that showcased ways that government pivoted in the crisis to meet citizen needs. Long-Term Internet Help on the Way in Chicago IT leaders have played a key role in connecting students in their cities to enable effective at-home learning. But some are enlisting new partners to make sure the access to the Internet outlives the current pandemic. The Chicago Connected program enlists support from high-profile philanthropists, including President Barack and Michelle Obama, to bring connectivity to 100,000 students for at least four years. Sheriff’s Office in Texas Has Data Held for Ransom Don’t pay the ransom is the message from cybersecurity experts, urging those whose data has been held hostage by cybercriminals that nonpayment is the only way to stem the tide of attacks. The latest victim is the Sheriff’s Office in Cooke County, Texas, and evidence suggests that attackers obtained current case information. In a new twist on a now-common cybercrime, the group responsible posted some stolen data online to further encourage payment of the ransom. | 