Issues in Science and Technology has been leading science and technology policy discussions for more than four decades. Published by the US National Academy of Sciences in partnership with Arizona State University, the magazine is a platform where researchers, government officials, business leaders, and others with a stake in public policy can share ideas with a broad audience. Issues provides deeply informed but highly accessible contributions to public discussions and democratic decisionmaking, enhancing the contribution of science and technology to the creation of a better world.

As robots increasingly become part of the urban landscape, local officials must ensure that they are integrated safely and efficiently. There are a lot of existing rules governing vehicles and devices in cities, but which ones should apply to robots and when should new rules be considered? The essays in the Summer 2026 Issues in Science and Technology explore this and many other topics, including how community colleges are training the AI workforce, the future of the National Science Board, assessing the costs and benefits of clean air regulations, and how communities are learning to bargain with big tech companies over data centers.