President Trump issued a national security memorandum that directs the military and national security agencies to accelerate their use of AI to enhance operations and maintain a technical advantage over adversaries. As part of this effort, the memo calls for government collaboration with AI companies to speed access to advanced AI models, while also cautioning against the use of AI for unauthorized or unlawful surveillance. Coverage can be found in Nextgov/FCW, and the complete memo can be found here.
Please be sure to check out our featured highlight below—a new blog by Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, “AI, jobs, and the next generation.” We’ve also rounded up tech policy news highlights from the week.
This Week in Washington
- Broadband Breakfast: Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Lori Trahan (D-MA) released the Great American AI Act, draft legislation that proposes temporarily preempting state artificial intelligence laws and allowing for federal oversight of new models. The draft is expected to evolve over the coming weeks as other members provide input.
- FedScoop: General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Edward Frost is asking for industry support to modernize federal technology. Frost said the government is still trying to “catch up to yesterday,” with a top priority being a centralized log in system through login․gov.
- Nextgov: The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the seizure of 13 websites, which the department says were sophisticated Chinese cyberspying enterprises aimed at U.S. citizens with security clearance. The websites purported to be consulting firms looking for reports on American foreign policy.
- TechCrunch: White House AI advisor Sriram Krishnan announced he is leaving the administration at the end of the month to start an AI-focused policy advisory organization. Krishnan was a key figure in the development of President Trump’s AI Action Plan.
Article Summary
- Seattle Times: Seattle, Washington, became the latest city to pass a moratorium on data center construction. The one-year pause, which passed the city council on a 9-0 vote, will give the city more time to study the impact of data centers and discuss how the centers can support city infrastructure.
- New York Times: New reporting from Northeastern University indicates at least 74 AI majors and 89 minors are available on college campuses nationwide, with more than a dozen additional programs in the works for the 2026-27 academic year.
- Arizona Republic: AI-powered data analysis and GPS tracking are helping ranchers in drought-stricken Arizona and New Mexico manage cattle, labor, and resources. The “tech-savvy” ranchers are seeing tangible results, but are still working to convince their older, more traditional neighbors of ranching technology’s benefits.
- WTNH: A Connecticut-based company is using AI to develop virtual reality scenarios for interactive and immersive training. The company has developed courses to train EMS paramedics in complex scenarios and help caregivers support their family members with dementia.
Featured Highlight
- Microsoft on the Issues Blog
This year’s graduation season has been marked by reactions to AI from college seniors and widespread discussion about the impact of artificial intelligence on the entry-level workforce. Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith weighed in on these topics and what he sees as AI’s potential to grow human ambition for the next generation. Read the full piece.
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.