Profiles in Partnership released a new podcast episode featuring Voices for Innovation leaders talking about the importance of policy engagement—especially in today’s era of intense AI innovation and competition. Hosted by the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP), the podcast also dives into other policy areas and highlights how participating in VFI can help you engage with customers and advance your career. We encourage you to listen to this conversation and share with your networks.
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This Week in Washington
- FedScoop: Building from President Trump’s AI Executive Orders, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Genesis Mission Consortium, a dedicated private-public partnership around AI innovation. The collaboration includes both academia and private companies and will serve as a centralized forum for data sharing and standard setting.
- Reuters: Taiwan’s chief tariff negotiator pushed back against the Trump administration, saying that the American goal of shifting 40% of Taiwanese semiconductor capacity to the U.S. would be impossible. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has made increased American investment in semiconductors a priority.
- The Hill: With Valentine’s Day bringing a surge of romance scams, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning Americans to stay on guard. The FBI’s Boston bureau reported that a single scam last year affected more than 700 people and resulted in around $20 million lost.
- CyberScoop: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an urgent alert to American infrastructure operators after a significant cyberattack in Poland. The December attack, linked to Russia and focused on energy systems, was labeled by Poland as “deliberate arson.”
Article Summary
- Purdue University: A new initiative out of Purdue University will offer free access to online chip design and manufacturing simulation tools. The program, part of a public-private partnership with technology companies, the Department of Defense (DOD), and the National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to address workforce shortages in the semiconductor industry.
- CBS News: More than 20% of Americans are planning to use AI to help them with their tax returns, a new study from IPX1031 found. Experts said AI can be helpful, but only when paired with a human review.
- Semafor: OpenAI announced its chatbot would be accessible through Genai.mil, a military-specific artificial intelligence program launched by the DOD. Google and xAI had previously made their AI models accessible through the program.
- Wilmington StarNews: Carolina Beach, North Carolina, lost almost half a million dollars in a cyberattack in December. The FBI is investigating the attack, the second major cyber theft in the state after Pender County lost more than $650,000 in a fraud scheme last year.
Featured Highlight
- Catalyst with Shayle Kann
Nuclear energy is on the rise, with public and private investments driving new reactor projects across the country. Former assistant secretary for nuclear energy Katy Huff talked to Shayle Kahn about the next steps for these new projects, the regulatory hurdles they will face, and whether the Department of Energy’s goal of getting three new reactors to criticality by July 4th is realistic. (The Path to Market for New Nuclear Reactors – February 2nd, 2026) – 36 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.