Advocacy 101 Webinar to Be Rescheduled
VFI’s Tech Advocacy 101 webinar, originally scheduled for September 25, is being moved until later in the fall, date to be determined. Thank you to everyone who signed up. Stay tuned for more information.
Now here’s our roundup of recent tech policy highlights from Washington, DC…
White House Details Science and Technology Priorities
In late September, 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.
Public and Private Investments Drive U.S. Quantum Leadership
Last month, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced that Microsoft is opening a new quantum research center at the University of Maryland’s Discovery District. The center will be a cornerstone of Maryland’s Capital of Quantum Initiative, which includes both private and public sector investment. Several other states, including Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, and Utah, have also launched quantum initiatives.
For additional details about Microsoft’s quantum efforts and the role of Maryland as a national hub for quantum research, check out this Microsoft on the Issues blog. “Developing scalable quantum computers will require…. new types of public-private partnerships across state and federal governments, nonprofit research organizations, higher education institutions, and small and large companies,” writes Dr. Charles Tahan, partner at Microsoft Quantum.
Microsoft Makes AI Education Commitments
At a recent meeting of the White House’s AI Education Task Force, Microsoft announced a number of steps the company is taking to bring AI tools and training to American classrooms. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discusses these steps in this video, and you can read about Microsoft’s commitments in this blog.
Related: The National Education Association (NEA) announced that it had received a $325,000 grant from Microsoft Elevate to support AI in education. NEA President Becky Pringle said the NEA’s work with Microsoft is intended to give “educators the tools and voice they need to use AI in ways that deepen learning, foster trust, and keep students at the heart of everything we do.”
Judge Imposes Penalties on Google for Antitrust Violations
U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta imposed penalties on Google for antitrust violations related to its search business. The judge ordered Google to share search data with qualified competitors and restricted how the company makes payments to other companies for preferred placement of its search engine on phones and web browsers. The judge, however, did not require Google to break itself up by selling its web browser Chrome, which the Department of Justice had requested. This story was widely covered in mainstream and tech press. Check out stories from Reuters, AP News, and TechCrunch.
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