Yesterday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a landmark hearing titled “Winning the AI Race: Strengthening U.S. Capabilities in Computing and Innovation.” The hearing included testimony from leaders of several AI-focused companies, including Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, OpenAI Co-Founder and CEO Sam Altman, and others.
Testimony highlighted the need to streamline federal permitting for building electrical infrastructure; expanded access to AI education and training; and an AI export policy that protects national security while expanding access for our allies to American AI services and components. You can view a replay of the hearing and access testimony at this link. Brad Smith’s testimony can also be found here.
Thank you for reading! You’ll find our tech policy news roundup below as well as highlights from another congressional hearing this week on quantum computing.
This Week in Washington
- FedScoop: A bipartisan group of Senators is introducing a bill aimed at improving the federal government’s ability to test and evaluate artificial intelligence systems. The Testing and Evaluation Systems for Trusted Artificial Intelligence (TEST AI) Act calls on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Energy to establish a pilot program to develop and refine measurement standards used to assess AI systems.
- The Hill: The fight over age verification for children’s online safety is ramping up in Washington, which comes amid a broader push in Congress to pass kids online safety legislation after lawmakers failed to pass most related bills last term.
- Broadband Breakfast: A new bipartisan bill—the Rural Broadband Assistance Act—aims to help rural communities overcome technical and administrative barriers to securing federal broadband funding.
- Wall Street Journal: The chief executive of a German chip equipment maker has warned that the Trump Administration’s tariffs threaten to disrupt the supply chains that underpin the semiconductor industry and raise costs.
Article Summary
- StateScoop: California launched a new AI-powered tool designed to accelerate the process of approving building permits. The AI-powered e-check software utilizes computer vision, machine learning and automation to instantly assess building designs against local zoning and building codes.
- CBS News: AI will soon be used to help forecasters better predict the outcomes of hurricane season. Watch this CBS News video coverage for more.
- Reuters: Cisco Systems said it has created a new quantum chip and opened a quantum lab as it looks to accelerate quantum-computing and networking applications.
Featured Highlight
- House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and Microsoft on the Issues
Earlier this week, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held a hearing on U.S. quantum leadership. Legislators examined the state of U.S. quantum research, development, and technology, as well as the competitiveness of the U.S. quantum industry. The hearing included testimony from Dr. Charles Tahan, a member of Microsoft’s quantum team. His policy recommendations include expanding federal quantum R&D; creating a resilient quantum supply chain; and bolstering STEM education, among other policies. His testimony is reprinted here: Supporting American leadership in quantum technology.