News/Policy
Trump announces $90B AI investment push led by Google’s $25B commitment
President Donald Trump announced more than $90 billion in AI and energy investments at Pennsylvania's inaugural Energy and Innovation Summit on Tuesday, with Google leading the commitments through a $25 billion data center and AI infrastructure investment. The announcement positions Pennsylvania as a major AI hub while aligning with Trump's broader energy agenda in a key gas-producing state. The big picture: The investments represent a significant push to establish Pennsylvania as a central location for AI infrastructure development, combining the state's energy resources with cutting-edge technology investments. Key commitments: Google is making the largest financial commitment with multiple billion-dollar investments....
read Jul 15, 2025Bernie Sanders warns AI could create “doomsday scenario” for workers
Senator Bernie Sanders has issued a stark warning about artificial intelligence's impact on workers, describing a potential "doomsday scenario" where AI technology could eventually control humanity rather than serve it. In a recent interview with Gizmodo, the Vermont legislator argued that AI's effects on the labor market could be "a lot more severe" than the Industrial Revolution, with benefits flowing primarily to corporations and tech companies while workers face massive job losses. What you should know: Sanders has been consulting with AI experts and CEOs following his proposal for AI to help establish a four-day work week, finding them split...
read Jul 11, 202581% of citizens lose trust when governments use AI for public services, says study
A new study reveals that government use of artificial intelligence significantly erodes public trust and democratic control, with over 81% of citizens reporting loss of democratic control when aware of AI risks. The research highlights a critical disconnect between governments eager to automate processes and citizens who become increasingly resistant once they understand the potential consequences of AI decision-making in public services. The study's findings: Researchers at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich surveyed approximately 1,200 UK citizens about their attitudes toward AI in government tasks like tax processing, welfare applications, and bail assessments. When participants learned about both AI benefits...
read Jul 10, 2025Iraq War lessons reveal how AI crises could trigger policy overreach
The intersection of foreign policy disasters and emerging technology governance might seem like an unlikely pairing, but the 2003 Iraq War offers surprisingly relevant lessons for how governments might respond to AI-related crises. As artificial intelligence capabilities rapidly advance and policymakers grapple with unprecedented challenges, understanding how past policy failures unfolded can illuminate potential pitfalls ahead. The Iraq War demonstrates how shocking events can dramatically shift policy landscapes, empowering previously marginalized factions and leading to decisions that seemed unthinkable just months earlier. For AI policy, this historical precedent suggests that a significant AI-related incident could trigger similarly dramatic—and potentially misguided—governmental...
read Jul 10, 2025EU publishes AI code of practice weeks before new rules take effect
The European Commission has published the General-Purpose AI Code of Practice to help enterprises comply with transparency, copyright, safety, and security obligations under the EU AI Act. The voluntary code arrives just ahead of the second wave of EU AI Act rules taking effect on August 2, providing critical guidance for companies developing and distributing AI models. What you should know: The code of practice offers enterprises a structured pathway to demonstrate compliance with EU AI Act requirements, though following it remains voluntary. The Commission positioned the code as a way for businesses to ensure they meet their legal obligations...
read Jul 7, 2025OpenAI’s $30B Oracle deal fuels Project Stargate AI buildout
OpenAI has been revealed as the customer behind Oracle's massive $30 billion annual cloud computing contract, with the AI company leasing approximately 4.5 gigawatts of data center power to support its expanding artificial intelligence workloads. The deal represents one of the largest cloud computing contracts to date and directly supports OpenAI's ambitious "Project Stargate" initiative to scale AI infrastructure across the United States. What you should know: Oracle will develop multiple data centers across the U.S. as part of this unprecedented cloud computing agreement. Sites under consideration include Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wyoming. Oracle will...
read Jul 2, 2025Study debunks “1,000+” AI bills myth fueling federal preemption push
A new analysis challenges the widely cited claim that U.S. states have proposed over 1,000 AI-related bills this year, finding that the vast majority either don't actually regulate AI or wouldn't meaningfully impact innovation. The findings come as Congress debates whether to impose a 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation, with the inflated bill count serving as a key argument for federal preemption. What the analysis found: Independent researcher Steven Adler's breakdown of the supposed "1,000+" state AI bills reveals significant mischaracterization of the legislative landscape. Roughly 40% of the bills categorized as "AI-related" don't actually focus on artificial intelligence...
read Jul 1, 2025Senate votes 99-1 to reject 10-year AI regulation ban
The U.S. Senate voted 99-1 on Tuesday to remove a provision from President Trump's budget bill that would have banned states from regulating artificial intelligence for the next 10 years. The last-minute elimination came after intense opposition from advocacy groups, lawmakers, and nearly 80,000 Americans who viewed the moratorium as dangerous federal overreach that would have left consumers without protection while offering no federal AI safeguards in return. What you should know: The defeated provision would have created a complete regulatory vacuum around AI at both state and federal levels. The ban offered no federal protections to replace state-level oversight,...
read Jul 1, 2025Senate bill cuts renewable energy tax credits as AI drives power demand
The US Senate passed a budget bill that would eliminate tax credits for wind and solar projects after 2027, potentially jeopardizing hundreds of planned renewable energy projects nationwide. This aggressive rollback comes as artificial intelligence and data centers are driving unprecedented electricity demand, making the timing particularly problematic for grid stability and energy security. What you should know: The Senate bill forces an end to wind and solar tax credits for projects placed in service after 2027, creating immediate uncertainty for the clean energy pipeline. According to energy NGO E2, around $15.5 billion in clean energy investment has already been...
read Jun 27, 2025Trump tax bill forces states to choose between AI rules and $42B in broadband
The Trump administration's proposed tax bill includes a provision that would ban states from enforcing AI regulations for 10 years, threatening to cut federal broadband funding for non-compliant states. This creates a stark choice for states between protecting residents from AI risks and securing billions in critical internet infrastructure funding, potentially leaving the country in a "dangerous regulatory vacuum" while federal AI policy remains undefined. What you should know: The Senate rule ties state AI regulation enforcement to federal broadband funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a $42 billion federal initiative that helps states build high-speed...
read Jun 27, 2025Netherlands invests $82M in AI factory as Europe builds domestic tech capacity
The Dutch government has committed 70 million euros ($82.03 million) to build an AI factory in Groningen, a northern city in the Netherlands. This investment represents part of a broader European push to develop domestic AI infrastructure capabilities, with the project potentially receiving up to 200 million euros in total funding when combined with EU co-financing and regional contributions. What you should know: The Netherlands is making a significant public investment in AI manufacturing infrastructure through multiple funding sources. • The Dutch government pledged 70 million euros for the AI factory construction in Groningen. • Officials have applied for an...
read Jun 20, 2025California’s “No Robo Bosses Act” would ban AI from making firing – but not hiring -decisions
California's Senate Bill 7, known as the "No Robo Bosses Act," would prohibit companies from primarily relying on AI systems to make critical employment decisions like firing, promoting, or disciplining workers. Introduced by Senator Jerry McNerney, a Democrat representing Stockton's 5th District, the legislation aims to ensure human oversight remains central to workplace management decisions as AI increasingly infiltrates HR processes. What you should know: The bill requires human review and corroborating evidence for any AI-driven employment decisions. Companies would be banned from using automated systems as the primary decision-maker for promotions, disciplinary actions, or terminations. If AI systems are...
read Jun 19, 2025Eye in the stinky sky: AI drones detect methane leaks ahead of 2026 EPA rules
Percepto, a company specializing in autonomous inspection technology, has launched an AI-powered emission detection system that uses autonomous drones to identify methane leaks in real-time across major US oil-producing regions. The technology addresses growing regulatory pressure and operational challenges by making emissions tracking faster and more cost-effective for energy operators, particularly as new EPA rules take effect in 2026. How it works: The system combines autonomous drones with AI-powered analysis to detect methane emissions without human intervention. Drones fly scheduled missions capturing Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) video footage across oil and gas facilities. Percepto's AI algorithm analyzes the footage in...
read Jun 17, 2025UK’s “Humphrey” AI suite transforms government across 4 departments
In the corridors of Whitehall, where centuries of bureaucratic tradition meet cutting-edge technology, a quiet revolution is reshaping how government works. The UK has deployed Humphrey, a comprehensive suite of AI tools designed to accelerate planning decisions, analyze public consultation responses, and streamline the daily work of civil servants across the nation. Named after the fictional permanent secretary from the British political satire "Yes Minister," Humphrey represents more than just technological modernization. This initiative embodies a fundamental shift in how democratic societies balance AI efficiency with accountability—a challenge that's playing out very differently across the globe. The Humphrey suite includes...
read Jun 17, 2025Trump administration accidentally leaks AI gov plan on GitHub
The Trump administration appears to have accidentally leaked part of its upcoming AI Action Plan through a test website on AI.gov, which was discovered on GitHub before being quickly removed. The leak reveals plans to integrate AI tools across government agencies to streamline operations and reduce costs, ahead of the administration's official July 22 policy deadline. What you should know: The leaked AI.gov website outlined ambitious plans for government-wide AI adoption with specific technical integrations. The site promised to "utilize the most advanced AI assistants to streamline research, problem-solving, and strategy guidance" for government agencies. It featured integrations with "top-tier...
read Jun 16, 2025Calling all concerned: EU recruits AI safety experts to enforce world’s first major AI law
The European Union Commission has opened applications for researchers to join an expert advisory panel that will guide the implementation of the AI Act, particularly focusing on the safety requirements for general-purpose AI systems. The initiative reflects the EU's commitment to establishing robust scientific oversight as it moves from AI regulation on paper to practical enforcement. What you should know: The EU AI Office is seeking qualified researchers to provide technical expertise on one of the world's most comprehensive AI regulatory frameworks. Applicants must hold a PhD or demonstrate equivalent professional experience in relevant fields. The panel will specifically advise...
read Jun 16, 2025Trump urged to tax companies replacing workers with AI systems
Columnist John Mac Ghlionn argues that President Trump must take immediate action to prevent AI from causing mass unemployment across white-collar sectors, warning that millions of entry-level and mid-level jobs are already being eliminated. The core argument: AI is already displacing American workers across multiple sectors, from entry-level positions to mid-level roles in coding, legal services, and customer support. The author argues this isn't a future threat but a current reality, with companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google openly acknowledging AI's capacity to eliminate entire job categories. Young Americans, middle-class parents, and veterans are identified as the most vulnerable populations...
read Jun 16, 2025British-Irish Council summit explores AI’s role in public administration
Political leaders from Jersey and Guernsey joined counterparts from across the British Isles at the 43rd British-Irish Council summit in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, to discuss artificial intelligence's role in public administration. The gathering brought together senior officials from the UK, Ireland, and Crown dependencies to explore both the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into government operations. What you should know: The summit focused specifically on how AI could transform public administration across the British Isles region.• Jersey Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham and Guernsey's Policy and Resources President Lyndon Trott represented the Channel Islands at the Newcastle meeting.• Other attendees...
read Jun 13, 2025New bill offers AI developers lawsuit protection in exchange for greater transparency
U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced the Responsible Innovation and Safe Expertise Act of 2025 (RISE), the first standalone bill offering AI developers conditional legal immunity from civil lawsuits in exchange for comprehensive transparency requirements. The legislation would require companies to publicly disclose training data, evaluation methods, and system specifications while maintaining traditional liability standards for professionals using AI tools in their practice. What you should know: RISE creates a "safe harbor" provision that shields AI developers from civil suits only when they meet strict disclosure requirements. Developers must publish detailed model cards containing training data, evaluation methods, performance metrics,...
read Jun 13, 2025Trump headlines July 15th AI-energy summit with tech CEOs in natural gas-rich Pennsylvania
President Trump will headline Sen. Dave McCormick's inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit on July 15 in Pittsburgh, bringing together leaders from AI and energy industries to discuss their intertwined future. The summit at Carnegie Mellon University represents McCormick's strategic push to position Pennsylvania—the world's fourth-largest natural gas producer—as a key battleground for pairing AI development with energy resources in a critical swing state. The big picture: The summit features an unprecedented gathering of power players from the White House, Big Tech, Big Energy, and building trades. • Trump's AI czar David Sacks, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris...
read Jun 12, 2025US electricity demand jumps 4% as AI data centers strain power grid
The U.S. electricity grid is experiencing unprecedented strain as artificial intelligence transforms from experimental technology into a core business necessity. The Energy Information Administration (EIA), the federal agency that tracks America's energy consumption, has dramatically revised its power demand forecasts upward, citing AI-powered data centers as the primary culprit behind this surge. The numbers paint a striking picture of rapid change. Total U.S. electricity consumption is expected to jump from 4,097 billion kilowatt-hours in 2024 to 4,193 billion kilowatt-hours this year, then climb further to 4,283 billion kilowatt-hours in 2026. This represents a significant acceleration from previous projections, with commercial...
read Jun 10, 2025Pentagon cuts AI weapons testing staff by half amid military AI adoption
The Pentagon is cutting the Department of Defense's Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation in half, reducing staff from 94 to 45 people and replacing its director. This move eliminates crucial independent safety testing for AI and weapons systems at a time when the military is rapidly integrating AI technologies across all operations, potentially compromising safety oversight in favor of faster deployment. What you should know: The Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation serves as the final checkpoint before military technologies reach the battlefield. • Established in the 1980s by Congress after weapons performed...
read Jun 10, 2025AI scammers steal $11M in student aid using fake “ghost students”
Scammers are deploying AI-powered "ghost students" to fraudulently enroll in online college courses and steal millions in federal financial aid, prompting the U.S. Education Department to introduce emergency identity verification requirements. The scheme has exploded alongside the rise of artificial intelligence and online learning, with California community colleges alone reporting 1.2 million fraudulent applications in 2024 that resulted in 223,000 suspected fake enrollments and $11.1 million in stolen aid. The big picture: Criminal organizations are using chatbots to impersonate students in online classes, staying enrolled just long enough to collect financial aid checks before disappearing. Professors report discovering that almost...
read Jun 7, 2025Senate Republicans threaten to cut broadband funds from states that regulate AI
Senate Republicans have revised their proposed 10-year ban on state AI regulations, now threatening to withhold federal broadband funding from states that regulate artificial intelligence instead of imposing an outright prohibition. The change represents an attempt to preserve the controversial provision while complying with Senate budget rules that require tax legislation to primarily address federal spending rather than policy mandates. What you should know: The revised approach uses federal funding as leverage rather than direct regulatory prohibition to achieve the same outcome. The original House version would have banned any current or future AI regulations by states for a decade....
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