Since 2017, Voices for Innovation has supported policies to close our nation’s broadband gap. North Dakota is on track to be the first state to reach 100% broadband access. This achievement is the result of hard work, smart investments, and a combination of state and federal policies. A grant from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program will enable two local internet service providers to install fiber connecting the last locations in the state that lack broadband by 2028. Congratulations to the Peace Garden State!
Thank you for reading! We share recent tech policy news and a featured podcast below.
This Week in Washington
- NBC: President Trump signed a new Executive Order accelerating the integration of AI into government innovation efforts from science to energy. The order, nicknamed the Genesis Mission, also asked the Department of Energy to centralize the infrastructure needed for an expansion of government computing.
- Axios: The U.S. Government is investing $150 million in semiconductor startup xLight through the CHIPS Act. The investment is the first award through the Biden-era CHIPS Act since President Trump took office.
- Broadband Breakfast: Nine states had their 2026 Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) programs approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The NTIA also published state-level data on the 26 plans approved so far.
- Nextgov: The Guaranteeing Access and Innovation for National Artificial Intelligence (GAIN AI) Act was removed from the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), according to drafts of the legislation. The bill had been included in the Senate-passed version of the act.
- The Hill: Republican Majority Leader Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA) indicated that attempts to include a preemption of state-level AI bills in the NDAA had stalled. Preemption has faced headwinds despite support from President Trump.
Article Summary
- Associated Press: Arizona’s attorney general’s office sued Temu, the Chinese budget retail website, for reportedly hosting malware and spyware on its app and ripping off intellectual property. The state accused Temu of stealing information, including GPS locations, without the consent of users.
- CyberScoop: Over 100 organizations have now been identified as victims of the Oracle E-Business Suite hack in August. The latest announced victim is the University of Pennsylvania, which joined Harvard University and Dartmouth College in announcing that personal information was compromised in the attack.
- GovTech: The Georgia Superior Court successfully fended off a cyberattack, preventing ransomware group Devman from locking down its systems by quickly identifying the incursion and temporarily removing public access to its websites. The court said 500 gigabytes of data was stolen.
- ABC News: A new AI startup utilizes large language models paired with smartphone cameras to analyze figure skaters’ routines for the slightest technical imperfections. Olympic skaters and the U.S. Figure Skating Federation are testing the system amid Olympic preparations.
Featured Podcast
- Afternoon Cyber Tea
Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving and changing field, which means it needs constant evolution and expansion of its workforce. Ann Johnson talked with Brad Mortensen, President of Weber State University, about the state of cybersecurity skilling and the opportunities for industry collaboration. (Educating for Resilience: STEM, AI, and the Future of Cybersecurity – November 25, 2025) – 30 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.