Illinois received approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to receive its share of funding from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. This marks the final state to receive federal funding under BEAD, which was created in 2021 to help close our nation’s broadband gap. It’s an important step forward for bringing broadband connectivity to all Americans. Coverage can be found in StateScoop.
Thank you for reading. The Executive Briefing will be off next week, returning on September 11. Thank you.
This Week in Washington
- CNBC: The Trump administration is considering a new round of technology-based tariffs in the coming weeks, according to reports. The new tariffs would cover semiconductors, data center servers, laptops, and other high-end technology, with the goal of advancing American manufacturing.
- The Gazette: At Joint Base Andrews over the weekend, President Trump touted the benefits of new data center construction. The president stressed the jobs, money, and lower taxes that new data center construction can bring.
- POLITICO: Following cyberattacks on water systems in July, the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) plans to announce a new private-public partnership to defend water infrastructure. The program will begin with a pilot in Texas before expanding to other states and, if successful, other types of utility systems.
- CyberScoop: On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order focused on protecting the U.S. energy system from cyberthreats. Among other provisions, the order prohibits the use of foreign-produced equipment if it is determined to pose a threat to national security. on the Chinese Communist Party.
Article Summary
- NPR: Meta reached a $17 billion settlement with plaintiffs in a child safety lawsuit filed by 47 state attorneys general and other government plaintiffs. Meta also agreed to a set of child safety provisions designed to prevent social media addiction among teens.
- Forbes: Eight universities were announced as winners of a combined $290 million in funding for quantum science research through the Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes program, allocated through the National Science Foundation (NSF). The winners include five existing programs and three new ones at Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.
- EdTech Innovation Hub: The University of California, Irvine, was awarded a five-year $10 million US Department of Education grant to establish a national center focused on using generative AI to improve student learning and writing. The WRITE AI Center will, in part, research how AI can support student learning while ensuring students continue to develop their writing, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Featured Highlight
- Catalyst with Shayle Kann
Utility systems have become incredibly complex, even as power delivery continues to be reliable. Innovative companies are applying artificial intelligence to untangle this complexity, improving system testing and identifying problems faster. Josh Wong, CEO of ThinkLabs AI, one of these innovative companies, joins Shayle Kann to talk through his approach. (Can AI Revolutionize Grid Operations? – August 20, 2026) – 40 minute listen
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.