IT Committee Wants Your Opinion On Improving Resident/Town Engagement

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Photo: Belmont is seeking to increase engagement with government and residents.

The Belmont Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) is conducting a short survey to assess how residents are engaging with the work of both elected and appointed committees in our town government. We are asking for your help. 

The survey’s purpose is to gauge how residents interact with elected and appointed government committees. We want to know how and where you obtain the information you need about the work your town government does. We are interested in your feelings about different options to leverage technology to increase public engagement in town government – for example: streaming committee meetings, remote participation for committee members and members of the public, and other activities. We would very much appreciate your input!

The survey shouldn’t take more than five minutes to complete.

The link to the survey is https://goo.gl/forms/mbuNp6KT7uv0jCVs2

Paul F. Roberts, chair, Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC)

paulroberts@gmail.com

Glenn Wong, vice chair

Tech Talks Thursday At The Library: Artificial Intelligence Is Coming, Or Is It All ‘Fake’ News

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Photo: Poster for the ITAC event on Thursday.

The Belmont Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) is holding two free public Tech Talks on Thursday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Room at the Belmont Public Library. 

Harvard professor Gu-Yeon Wei presents his latest research on Artificial Intelligence, while AI researcher and entrepreneur Dr. Bryan Loyall will discuss “fake” news and the growing problem of misinformation.

Professor Wei will discuss “deep learning”— machines solving problems and making predictions by identifying patterns and sifting through massive amounts of data— and how its being incorporated into everyday technology.

Then, AI researcher and founder of “News-to-US,” Dr. Loyall will turn our attention to how modern technology influences news consumption in his talk, Misinformation, Disinformation and Fake News — The shape of the problem and why it is likely to get worse before it gets better.

The event is organized by Belmont’s IT Advisory Committee and the Belmont Public Library.

 

Cybersecurity And The ‘Internet Of Things’ Topic Of Belmont IT Fireside Chat Feb. 27

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Photo: Fireside chat on cybersecurity and the Internet of Things

With the rise in the use of Smart devices, such as voice-activated home assistants – the popular Alexa device – remote cameras and smart technology like Wi-Fi enabled thermostats and the potential risks posed by the Internet of Things, the Belmont Information Technology Advisory Committee invites to public to attend the second “fireside chat” concerning cybersecurity to be held in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

Scott Donnelly, vice president of technical solutions at the threat intelligence company Recorded Future and a former officer with the Central Intelligence Agency will be the featured speaker. He will be joined on the panel by Det. James Siracusa of the Belmont Police Department.

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