U.S. Representatives Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting consumers and businesses from identity theft. If enacted, the Stop Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Act (HR 7270) will provide digital fraud prevention grants to states, which will build on guidance developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Thank you for reading! Below, you’ll find additional tech policy news as well as a featured highlight of a VFI leader.
This Week in Washington
- E&E News: President Trump unveiled Project Vault, a $12B stockpile of critical minerals designed to decrease American reliance on China in technology development and manufacturing. The venture will be funded by the U.S. Export-Import Bank and private capital, and will help protect American companies from Chinese export restrictions.
- Federal News Network: At a summit, Trump Administration cyber officials previewed upcoming cybersecurity initiatives they hope to launch in the coming months. Among the incoming programs are a six-pillar national cyber strategy, a new AI Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and an AI security policy framework.
- FedScoop: The U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee advanced four broadly supported bipartisan bills to improve federal IT systems. The bills would fund the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) through 2032, improve procurement processes, and modernize the hiring process for cybersecurity positions. The bills will now be considered by the full U.S. House.
Article Summary
- Telecompetitor: New Mexico is launching a skilling program designed to increase the broadband workforce in the state. The Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) program, funded by a federal grant, will offer free monthly classes and workshops to help New Mexico residents gain the certifications required for work in the broadband industry.
- The Hill: A patchwork of state laws is emerging as legislatures across the country look to provide guidance for AI in education. The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) reported that 53 such bills were proposed in 21 states last legislative session. Many of those bills focused on increasing AI literacy among K-12 students and curtailing AI-based deepfakes and cheating.
- Reuters: Britain is partnering with Microsoft and others on a deepfake identification system. The private-public partnership will work to set standards and implement an evaluation framework to identify deepfake non-consensual intimate images, which the country criminalized in January.
- MIT News: Researchers at MIT have created an AI model to help researchers create complex materials. The model proposes possible synthetic routes while taking into account all existing interactions, significantly speeding up the experimentation process and the synthesis of new designs.
Featured Highlight
- Voices for Innovation Blog
Voices For Innovation (VFI) Advisory Task Force member Madinah Ali traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, for Cyberweek Africa, where she shared her expertise in two keynotes and on two panels. VFI discusses takeaways from the event with Madinah. She highlights the challenges and opportunities for tech in Kenya, the importance of mentorship, and the value of policy engagement. (VFI Advocacy Leader Madinah Ali Shares Insights from Cyberweek Africa)
Note: Voices for Innovation regularly shares a range of opinion articles and press releases from organizations in and publications covering tech policy. These pieces are meant to educate our audience, not to endorse specific platforms or bills.