The full impact of the current information technology and networking revolution remains unknown, but the experiences of organizations and individuals who are using the tools and resources offered by information technology suggest that it may change our social fabric. Some of the current and emerging trends in information technology include: the need to overcome limitations of access due to economic status; timely solutions to the "Year 2000" problem; and the transformation of organizations due to decentralization and increased telecommuting. Public policy issues that face government include: electronic records management; privacy; security; network literacy; organizational change; intellectual property rights; information access, storage, and retrieval; and public-private partnerships. Over the long term, the strategic application and management of information technology can help Kentucky maximize the use of limited resources to meet its pressing needs, achieve a stronger competitive position in the global economy, meet the increasing demand for customer service, increase confidence in government, and approach solutions differently in such areas as education reform, employee development and empowerment, flexible manufacturing, and industrial revitalization. Three figures depict access to a personal computer in Kentucky; percent of Kentucky adults who have accessed the Internet in the past 12 months, by region; and percent of Kentucky households with a personal computer, by income and education. (TD)