THANK YOU!
First, thank you to members of the Microsoft Alumni Network who attended last month’s joint VFI-Microsoft Alumni Network policy webinar, “Election Security in the Era of AI.” For more opportunities to hear from VFI and participate in our events, sign up at this link.
EU Asserts Microsoft Breached Antitrust Rules with Teams
Last month, European regulators said Microsoft violated EU antitrust rules by including Teams with Microsoft 365 and Office 365. Microsoft has been taking steps to respond to regulators’ concerns, including by selling Teams separately.
Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said, “Having unbundled Teams and taken initial interoperability steps, we appreciate the additional clarity… and will work to find solutions to address the commission’s remaining concerns.” For additional information, see coverage from the New York Times, a timeline from Microsoft, and commentary from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.
Legislation Proposed for AI and Cybersecurity
Building a workforce educated in cutting-edge technology is essential to American innovation, competitiveness, and security. To support a workforce for the AI era, the U.S. Senate recently introduced the bipartisan NSF AI Education Act of 2024. This bill authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award university scholarships for students to study AI and quantum computing. The bill also includes programs to advance AI education in K-12 schools and community colleges. Coverage can be found in GeekWire and FedScoop.
U.S. Representatives Marc Veasey (D-TX) and August Pfluger (R-TX) recently introduced the Cybersecurity Clinics Grant Program Act. If enacted, this bill would create a grant program administered by the Department of Homeland Security to support cybersecurity education at community colleges, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), and other minority-serving institutions. This promising proposal would help grow our nation’s shorthanded cybersecurity workforce and help create opportunities in the tech sector for underrepresented communities. See CyberScoop coverage here.
Microsoft Program Focuses on Cybersecurity for Rural Hospitals
Last month, Microsoft announced its new Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals in the United States. Rural hospitals serve more than 60 million people in our nation. Too often, these critical hospitals are targeted by ransomware attacks, which threaten care in rural communities. The program will be rolled out in collaboration with the White House, the American Hospital Association, and the National Rural Health Association. Coverage of this development can be found on CNN. For more information—and to help rural hospitals access this program—visit this page.