This month, we want to share recent tech policy news as well as highlight two new blogs from Voices for Innovation leaders and a podcast featuring VFI. And we’ll begin with VFI’s upcoming energy policy webinar and Microsoft energy news…
VFI Webinar: Energy Policy and Community-First AI Infrastructure
Thursday, March 19, 2-2:45PM Eastern | 11-11:45AM Pacific
In VFI’s upcoming webinar, Microsoft Senior Director of Government Affairs Brianne Miller will share details about Microsoft’s Community First AI Infrastructure initiative, with a focus on energy affordability, AI skilling, and community support. She’ll also discuss current energy policy discussions happening on Capitol Hill. Learn more and register.
Microsoft Meets Key Renewable Energy Goal
On February 18, Microsoft announced that it had reached a key renewable energy milestone, matching 100% of its annual global electricity use with renewable energy. The company aims to be carbon negative by 2030. Microsoft’s investment in renewable energy projects is helping drive energy innovation, support energy reliability, and create jobs. The Wall Street Journal covers this news here, and you can read an in-depth discussion of how Microsoft achieved this milestone in this blog.
U.S. Signs AI Declaration
Following the AI Impact Summit in India in mid-February, dozens of countries including the U.S. signed onto a joint declaration on the use and development of AI. While the declaration is non-binding, it reflects broad support among nations for developing energy-efficient, trustworthy, and socially beneficial AI. U.S. Notably, the U.S. did not sign onto the previous AI joint declaration following last year’s AI summit in Paris.
Proposed Legislation Targets Identity Theft
U.S. Representatives Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Bill Foster (D-IL) recently introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting consumers and businesses from identity theft. If enacted, the Stop Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Act (HR 7270) will provide digital fraud prevention grants to states, which will build on guidance developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
VFI Leaders Talk Tech Policy
Here’s a quick roundup…
- Profiles in Partnership podcast features Voices for Innovation leaders talking about the importance of policy engagement—especially in today’s era of intense AI innovation and competition.
- Voices for Innovation discusses CyberWeek Africa with VFI Advisory Task Force member Madinah Ali. The conversation touches on the challenges and opportunities for tech in Kenya, the importance of mentorship, and the value of policy engagement.
- VFI Advisory Task Force member Carol Lynn Grow writes about “Expanding AI Infrastructure in Harmony with Communities.”
Thank you for reading!