President Trump signed legislation to restore funding for most of the Department of Homeland Security after a 76-day partial government shutdown, the longest in history. The bill includes funding for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which oversees much of the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure and coordinates with the private sector on cyber initiatives.
Thank you for reading. Below, you’ll find additional tech policy headlines and a featured VFI video.
This Week in Washington
- CNN: The Department of Defense announced an agreement to use the technology of seven major technology companies to implement artificial intelligence on classified networks. The seven companies include Microsoft, OpenAI, SpaceX, Google, Nvidia, Amazon, and Reflection.
- Nextgov: Representatives Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) introduced a bipartisan artificial intelligence package that combines 20 previous legislative proposals and a 2024 Congressional report into a single set of national standards. The package joins plans by the White House and Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) as leading options for national AI regulation.
- Quartz: The Labor Department launched the AI in Registered Apprenticeship Innovation Portal. The Portal, developed to implement the department’s February AI Literacy Framework, provides businesses with access to AI skills and literacy tools.
- Cyberscoop: The U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee held a hearing on whether to classify data centers as critical infrastructure, affording them extra protections. The hearing comes after two data centers were targeted by Iranian drones in March.
- Quantum Insider: The U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology advanced the bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act (H.R. 8462). The bill would strengthen U.S. leadership in quantum through public-private partnerships, workforce development, and supply chain optimization.
Article Summary
- WTHI: Indiana Governor Mike Braun launched a new initiative designed to speed up AI adoption and boost job creation in Indiana. The initiative, coordinated through the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, is called IN AI and will engage directly with employers.
- Bleeping Computer: Washington state-based utility firm Itron was the victim of a cyberattack on April 13, the company disclosed in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company reported that while its systems were accessed, cybersecurity protocols prevented the hack from affecting operations.
- Government Technology: Alabama has named the state’s first chief artificial intelligence officer. Aaron Wright, currently the state’s director of application development, will step into the role, which was created based on recommendations from the state’s Generative AI Task Force.
Featured Highlight
- Voices for Innovation Video
AI Skilling demands public-private partnerships to ensure nobody gets left behind in the AI era. Voices for Innovation spoke to advocacy leaders on the importance of skilling and how our advocacy can make a difference. Watch the video and share it with your network.
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.