This year, we expect to see Congress and the Administration advance policies that will impact the technology sector—and users of technology. Emerging tech policies may have a range of goals, including supporting innovation, driving economic growth, and strengthening cybersecurity.
As a first foray into AI policymaking, President Trump rescinded a 2023 Biden Administration executive order on AI and subsequently issued his own AI executive order, which calls for the development of an AI action plan within 180 days. Coverage of these developments includes articles from the AP, Reuters, and Nextgov/FCW.
Thank you for reading. Please check out additional tech policy news highlights and a featured podcast below.
This Week in Washington
- Associated Press: On Tuesday, President Trump announced a joint venture—called Stargate—that will invest up to $500 billion in U.S. AI infrastructure. This investment builds on a promise to advance American AI and compete against China in this key area of technology.
- Nextgov: Earlier this week, President Trump signed an executive order to set up his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE is charged with “modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.”
- StateScoop: President Trump signed an executive order that paused the delivery of federal funds earmarked by the Biden administration for infrastructure projects, including funds for broadband expansion. The programs that are further along in their disbursement process are not expected to be impacted heavily, but the effects of the pause on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program are unknown.
- CyberScoop: On Monday, the acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary issued a memo that removes all advisory committees of its members; this move will delete the roster for both the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Advisory Committee.
Article Summary
- Microsoft On the Issues: The world needs AI that is not only broadly accessible, but also trustworthy, and this includes addressing the sustainability challenges associated with AI technology. Given the energy demands of AI, Microsoft updated their “Accelerating Sustainability with AI: A Playbook” to include enhancing access to carbon-free energy on electricity grids and supporting local communities where datacenters operate.
- Delaware Online: Thanks to $17.4 million in federal money, Delaware is on track to become the first state in the country to achieve universal high-speed internet access. State officials shared that infrastructure construction will begin in late spring in the areas without internet access or government-funded access.
- Los Angeles Times: Nvidia announced it teamed up with Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and Colorado’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control to make digital fires that allow firefighters and incident commanders to better understand how fires spread and improve fire suppression. Nvidia is part of a growing number of companies that are experimenting with new technology, largely powered by AI, that could change how firefighters prevent and fight wildfires.
Featured Podcast
- Tools and Weapons with Brad Smith
“Academia is a fertile playground where researchers and students are allowed to just imagine the unthinkable… and change the course of technology,” said Fei-Fei Li, Stanford professor and author of “The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI.” Hear Dr. Li reflect on her memoir and explore how government-funded academic research driven by curiosity, rather than by profit, can create unexpected and profound discoveries that propel innovation and economic opportunities. (“Fei-Fei Li: Staying curious at the forefront of AI” – January 21, 2025)