VFI held our first webinar of the year, “What’s on the Tech Policy Agenda for 2025,” featuring Microsoft General Manager of Public Policy Gerry Petrella. Gerry provided a broad overview of what’s happening in Washington when it comes to tech policy, underscoring a few areas where bipartisan consensus could drive new policies this year.
Congress could unite around areas such as reforming the permitting process for AI and energy infrastructure, strengthening children’s online safety, and outlawing the misuse of synthetic media (e.g., non-consensual intimate images). Gerry also noted that political divisions could continue to stall progress when it comes to legislating on technology, though support for innovation could find its way into a large reconciliation budget bill later this year. We’ll be posting top takeaways from the webinar next week on LinkedIn. (Please follow us on LinkedIn if you don’t already do so.)
Update: Last year, we highlighted steps Microsoft is taking to support cybersecurity at rural hospitals. Earlier this week, Microsoft released a new report sharing insights on the current cybersecurity landscape for rural health and the role technology companies can play in supporting rural hospitals and providers. You can read a summary in the blog, “Enhancing cybersecurity for rural health resilience.”
Thank you for reading. Below, check out this week’s tech policy news highlights and a selected podcast.
This Week in Washington
- CyberScoop: Two bipartisan bills aimed at enhancing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)’s role in strengthening U.S. cybersecurity have advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
- Nextgov: The future of the CHIPS and Science Act was caught in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs during his address before a joint session of Congress this week despite being a largely bipartisan piece of legislation signed into law in the previous Congress.
- FedScoop: A bipartisan trio of senators introduced a bill this week to ban the Chinese artificial intelligence platform DeepSeek from all federal government devices and networks.
- New York Times and Politico: The jobs of dozens of technology specialists whose broad portfolio of projects across the government included the I.R.S.’s free tax filing software and passport services have been eliminated. It comes during a particularly tumultuous time for federal workers, who recently received a second order from the federal government to demonstrate their productivity.
Article Summary
- StateScoop: The Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York City launched a pilot program to detect potential track issues by using sensors and artificial intelligence. The data collected from sensors and microphones on subway cars allows track inspectors to address maintenance issues before they disrupt operations.
- Bleeping Computer: In a recent court filing, Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit named ringleaders in a cybercrime network that is using AI to generate harmful and illicit content—and provide malicious AI tools to other malicious actors.
- Broadband Breakfast: The Texas Broadband Development Office announced the state is pausing all grants and contracts related to the state’s allocation of the federal State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program because of uncertainty about the program’s future.
Featured Podcast
- POLITICO Tech
Since taking office, President Trump has been driving the tech agenda in Washington. Now, Congress is slowly starting to get back in the game. But the politics around Big Tech are shifting — and some once-vocal critics are softening up. On POLITICO Tech, reporter Anthony Adragna gives host Steven Overly the download on what’s happening on Capitol Hill. (The Latest Tech Talk on Capitol Hill – February 24, 2025)