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.

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

Chip manufacturers operational by 2030 will get priority in Commerce funding, secretary says

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that the agency intends to “maximize our impact in this decade.”