The White House issued a memorandum laying out its R&D priorities for fiscal year 2027. At the top of the list, the memo prioritizes R&D for emerging technologies, including AI and quantum. In addition to detailing five R&D budgetary priorities, the memo also describes five “high-priority crosscutting actions,” which include building a strong science and technology workforce and expanding our nation’s research infrastructure. For coverage of this development and a synopsis of the memo, check out this article from FedScoop.
Happy Autumn! Thank you for reading. We’ve rounded up additional tech policy news and a featured podcast below.
This Week in Washington
- CyberScoop: The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA), landmark legislation from 2015, is set to expire at the end of this month unless Congress acts. Disagreements over proposed amendments and the length of an extension may derail action on the issue.
- New York Times: Arguments began on potential remedies in the case against Google’s advertising technology monopoly. The Department of Justice wants Google to sell software connecting buyers with sellers. The hearings will provide a resolution for the April ruling that declared Google had a monopoly on technology used to sell website ad space.
- CyberScoop: The Trump Administration is leaning towards an action plan for quantum computing similar to the AI Action Plan released in July. Although no timeline has been announced for the release, such a plan would be in line with the administration’s recent focus on quantum innovation as a policy priority.
- CNN: President Trump signed an executive order clearing regulatory hurdles and permitting the sale of TikTok’s U.S. assets to a consortium of American investors led by Oracle. The order also extends the pause on the TikTok ban for 120 days, to give time for the deal to be completed.
Article Summary
- Broadband Breakfast: Illinois released tentative winners of their BEAD program grants, spending more than 95% of its $1 billion budget. That’s the highest percentage of the 46 states that have released winners for the $42.45 billion national broadband program.
- Wyoming News: Wyoming’s state legislature advanced a data privacy bill out of committee that would prohibit government entities from purchasing, selling, trading, or transferring personal data without permission.
- GovTech: Kansas has launched an online platform that uses AI to support small businesses. ConnectKS, run by the Kansas Small Business Office, employs artificial intelligence data management to ensure resources, opportunities, and connections available on the platform are up to date and accessible.
- The Record: A cyberattack in Maryland exposed data to hackers and shut down mobility and bus tracking services in August. Many systems, including some live bus tracking, are still not back online. Ransomware gang Rhysida took responsibility for the attack.
Featured Podcast
- The Next Wave
The future of AI lies in AI agents, autonomous AI that can efficiently and safely complete tasks with minimal human involvement. In this episode, Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott joins The Next Wave to explore the future of agentic AI and how Microsoft is leading the way in sustainable, accessible, and innovative development. (How Microsoft is Fixing the Biggest AI Agent Problem – September 23, 2025) – 27 minute and 38 second 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.