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Democrats Urge Senate to Scrap AI Ban Tied to Broadband Funds
More than 30 Democratic members of the House of Representatives are urging top Senate leaders to reconsider a proposal being offered in the Senate that would require states seeking Federal broadband support to abide by a proposed ten-year moratorium on creating state-level artificial intelligence (AI) regulations.
Recent News
  1. cybersecurity, education IST Launches K-12 Cyber Defense Coalition
    In response to the growing cybersecurity threats facing America’s public schools, the Institute for Security and Technology (IST) has launched the K–12 Cyber Defense Coalition (K12 CDC) – a new national partnership made up of 13 education organizations working to protect schools from cyberattacks and improve response strategies.
  2. DC Public Schools to Ban Cellphones in Classroom
    The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) announced that it will ban the use of personal cellphones in the classroom beginning in the fall to help refocus student attention on “academic excellence.”
  3. broadband Commerce Ditches Fiber Focus in BEAD Program Overhaul
    The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday unveiled its revamps to the government’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, touting a new “tech-neutral” approach and tossing its previous fiber-centric efforts to the curb.
  1. State AI Moratorium Eroding Reconciliation Bill Support
    A small but significant slice of lawmakers – including several Republican members of the House and Senate – are getting cold feet over supporting the Trump administration’s reconciliation funding bill because it includes a House-approved provision that would impose a ten-year moratorium on state-level artificial intelligence regulation.
  2. School, Library Leaders Tell Congress Not to Repeal E-Rate Rule
    National and state school and library organizations are calling on Congress not to repeal a Federal rule that allows schools and libraries to use the government’s E-Rate program to buy discounted Wi-Fi hot spots and related mobile connectivity services for off-premises use. 
  3. USC Launches $12M Computing Institute
    The University of Southern California (USC) is launching the Institute on Ethics & Trust in Computing, supported by $12 million in funding from the Lord Foundation of California.
  4. Industry Urges Student Visa, Curriculum Overhauls to Boost Cyber Workforce
    Federal lawmakers and cybersecurity leaders are calling for sweeping education reforms and expanded student visa opportunities to help build a stronger, more resilient cyber workforce in the United States – one they say is essential to defending against growing digital threats. 
  1. South Dakota Taps Mark Wixon as CIO
    South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden has announced that Mark Wixon is the state’s new chief information officer (CIO) and commissioner of the Bureau of Information Technology (BIT).
  2. OPM’s ‘Merit’ Hiring Plan Targets STEM, Early Career Talent
    The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a governmentwide hiring plan on Thursday that instructs agencies to hire employees more quickly, focusing on early career and STEM talent.
  3. White House Halts Grants for State UI System Modernization
    The Trump administration has cancelled funding for a Department of Labor (DoL) grant program that was used to fund modernization efforts for states’ unemployment insurance (UI) systems that were overwhelmed with claims during the coronavirus pandemic.
  4. Powering Public Safety, CX Gains With AI-Driven Tech
    The use of artificial intelligence-powered computer vision and edge computing are combining to reshape public safety and customer service capabilities, local government and municipal officials said during a new webinar produced by MeriTalk and underwritten by Dell Technologies.
  5. AI, CV Paying Off With Better Campus Safety
    Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision technologies is paying off with improvements to campus safety and operational efficiencies, AI experts told MeriTalk in a new webinar in which they advised organizations to consider a deliberate approach to implementation.
  6. USF Launches K-12 AI Programs, Summer Camps
    The University of South Florida (USF) is partnering with local community groups to launch a range of new initiatives aimed at arming K-12 students with artificial intelligence skills. 
  7. NSF AI Program Teaches Students to Train Machines with Fossils
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) has launched a free online curriculum to introduce Florida middle schoolers and teachers to artificial intelligence using paleontology.  
  8. Senators Urge Trump Administration to Release BEAD Funding
    A group of 12 senators led by Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., is calling on the Trump administration to release funding for states under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
  9. AI Regulation Debate Heats Up as House OKs State Preemption Bill
    Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill clashed this week over who should police artificial intelligence technologies – the Federal government or states – and on what AI regulation should look like no matter which level of government has the upper hand.
  10. Wisconsin-Madison Names Contis CIO
    The University of Wisconsin-Madison has hired Didier Contis as the university’s new chief information officer (CIO) and vice provost for information technology, with a start date of July 7.