Artificial Intelligence
Commerce rebrands its AI Safety Institute
The transformation of the Biden-era U.S. AI Safety Institute further signals the Trump administration’s innovation-prioritizing approach to AI governance.
Artificial Intelligence
Commerce rescinds Biden-era AI export controls
The controversial rule on what countries can receive and use U.S. artificial intelligence technology and components will be replaced with a new rule and new AI export control guidance.
Artificial Intelligence
Reconciliation text includes $500 million for modernization and AI at Commerce
The text also includes a prohibition on state-level enforcement of AI laws and regulations.
Policy
Trade group urges Commerce secretary to support the work of subagencies
The Business Software Alliance said international alliances, export control regimes and standards harmonization efforts can all support the Department of Commerce’s advancement of U.S. tech.
People
Trump nominates Paul Dabbar as Commerce deputy secretary
Dabbar previously worked in the Department of Energy during the first Trump administration, and will now focus on global trade and technology for Commerce.
Emerging Tech
Trump’s Commerce pick backs light-touch regulation in emerging tech policy
Howard Lutnick voiced robust support for U.S. leadership in AI and quantum information sciences alongside a light touch regulatory approach.
Emerging Tech
Commerce announces new export control on US AI products
The new export controls will alter licensing requirements for AI chips and closed-source models to allow allied nations to access U.S. AI innovation while preventing adversarial nations from doing so.
Cybersecurity
Agencies look to automation software to usher in next phase of post-quantum security
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is working with select agencies to implement post-quantum cryptography, and will turn to vendors to further secure federal data.
Digital Government
Commerce launches initial phase of its space traffic coordination system
The new system will provide conjunction data messages “for approximately 1,000 space objects six times a day” during phase 1.0.
Emerging Tech
Commerce shares financial goals for the US quantum industry
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves offered insight into the burgeoning quantum information sciences industry in the U.S., focusing on financing and national security implications.
Cybersecurity
Commerce proposes ban on connected-car tech from China, Russia
The proposed ban stems from a 2019 executive order meant to bolster U.S. supply chains.
Artificial Intelligence
Commerce to propose rule requiring US industry to report on dual-use AI capabilities
The Industry and Security Bureau is set to publish a proposed rule that will ask U.S. companies for information on their AI capabilities per requirements under the Defense Production Act.
Exclusive
Emerging Tech
U.S. quantum cryptography standards set for release next week
NIST’s flagship post-quantum cryptography guidance that would help protect against decryption capabilities enabled by quantum computers aimed for release the week of Aug. 12.
Cybersecurity
In reversal, AT&T says most FirstNet customers impacted in data breach disclosed last week
“We now believe the proportion of FirstNet numbers included in the data is similar to that of our broader customer base,” the company said in a statement.
Artificial Intelligence
Data can be a double-edged sword in generative AI, agency experts say
Though there are myriad federal use cases for generative AI applications, usability hinges on clean, organized input data.
Artificial Intelligence
Bill would require Commerce to launch AI public awareness campaign
The education campaign acts on a proposal included in the Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group’s framework that was released last month.
Cybersecurity
US blacklists sale of Russia-based Kaspersky products over ties to Kremlin
The Commerce Department says the company’s links to Russia’s government pose a national security risk, opening up systems using its software to cyber exploitation.
Artificial Intelligence
Commerce seeks insight on how to make its data more AI-friendly
A new request for information issued by the Department of Commerce asks for expert commentary on how the agency can better structure and disseminate its publicly available data.
Digital Government
Export control agency lacks funding and tech to manage its workload, official says
The head of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security gave lawmakers “an emphatic no” when asked if his office has the IT resources it needs to carry out its mission.
Policy