Current Issues
Artificial Intelligence & Quantum Computing
Bias-related AI Oversight by Federal Agencies
Officials from four Federal agencies pledged (April 25) in a joint statement to use their authorities to protect the public against unlawful bias and discrimination ...
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Net Neutrality
Court Decision Could Influence Net Neutrality Change
A Supreme Court 6-3 decision (June 2022) concerning the authority of the EPA to regulate climate change-causing emissions of power plants, could have the effect of limiting any Biden Administration changes ...
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Cybersecurity
Marshals Service Cyber Intrusion
The US Marshals Service (USMS), an agency within the Department of Justice, was hacked during February 2023 ...
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Big Tech Concerns
FTC Action Against Meta/Facebook
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced (May 3) that it is proposing to modify a prior privacy order on Meta/Facebook, to prohibit the company ...
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Computer Chip Shortage/Manufacturing
CHIPS Act Funding Distribution Strategy
The Department of Commerce released (February 28) its detailed funding opportunity plan to guide the award and distribution of semiconductor industry grant ...
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Communications Issues
FCC Rules on Scam Texting
The FCC adopted (March 17) a set of rules that requires mobile wireless providers to block robotext messages ...
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Research & Analysis
Competition in the Mobile App Ecosystem
U.S. Department of Commerce
This report (February 1) outlines the basis for actions to increase competition in the mobile app ecosystem.
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China’s Surveillance Ecosystem & The Global Spread Of Its Tools
Atlantic Council
This Issue Brief (October 2022) summarizes China's efforts to export its surveillance technology as a means gain influence in other nations, expand the adoption of the tools in support of more authoritarian rule, and advance more broadly with the international community the cyberspace management concept that the each country has a right to delimit and control data flows given domestic security interests.
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Are Blockchains Decentralized? Unintended Centralities in Distributed Ledgers
Trail of Bits
This report (June 2022), commissioned by the Department of Defense, to examine vulnerabilities in blockchain finance. Among other things, the report found that it only takes four entities to disrupt Bitcoin and only two to disrupt Ethereum; that 60% of all Bitcoin traffic moves through just three ISPs; and, that outdated and unencrypted software and blockchain protocols were identified.
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Towards a Standard for Identifying and Managing Bias in Artificial Intelligence
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
This paper (March 2022) analyzes issues related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) bias as a “first step on the roadmap” for developing methods/standards to address bias. The paper examines the challenges inherent in AI bias, how such bias might be identified and managed, and suggests preliminary guidance.
Impact of Tech in 2022 and Beyond
IEEE
This website of IEEE provides the results of its survey of tech industry leaders on critical technology trends and issues important to the industry for 2022. Among the findings are that manufacturing, financial services, healthcare and energy will be the sectors most impacted by technology, and that cybersecurity is consistently reported as one of the highest concerns.
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Artificial Intelligence: Background, Selected Issues and Policy Considerations
Congressional Research Service
This CRS report details the background and latest artificial intelligence (AI) policy developments, as well as ongoing and future policy issues.
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The Problematic Potential Return of Net Neutrality
American Action Forum
This blog article describes why the return of net neutrality regulations revoked during the Trump Administration may not be a good idea.
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Net Neutrality - Wikipedia Page
Wikipedia
This Wikipedia website page details the background and status of Net Neutrality.
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Internet Shutdowns
Jigsaw - a Google Company
This web report presents data and analysis behind internet outages, in particular purposeful actions by state actor governments around the world to shut down the internet to restrict the flow of information.
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Countering an Authoritarian Overhaul of the Internet
Freedom House
This report (October 2022) provides a current assessment of internet freedom around the world and makes policy recommendations such as regulating surveillance and the collection of personal information by governments and elevating cyber diplomacy and coordination on technology policy.
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Fueling the Fire: How Social Media Intensifies U.S. Political Polarization and What Can Be Done About It
NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights
This report presents information and analysis on the role of social media in negatively intensifying the U.S. political environment, and offers recommendations for media companies and the the Federal Government.
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Section 230 Reform Deserves Careful and Focused Consideration
The Brookings Institution
This article (May 2021) summarizes considerations for policymakers with respect to Section 230 reform for technology companies.
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Key Federal Programs
Broadband [Depts. of Commerce & Agriculture]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$628,000,000
$697,000,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$50,200,000,000
National Institute of Standards and Technology [Commerce]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$1,230,063,000
$1,469,049,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$172,000,000
National Science Foundation (NSF)
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$8,838,000,000
$10,492,080,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$625,000,000
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$381,950,000
$390,192,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
Science & Technology Directorate [DHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$886,403,000
$901,291,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$157,500,000
Science & Technology Programs [EPA]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$750,174,000
$864,155,000
---
---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
