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Policy
Tech bills of the week: Restricting biometric use; expanding the quantum workforce; and more
Congress avoided a second mini-shutdown and saw a return-to-normal influx of new tech bills.
Artificial Intelligence
AI moratorium was never a ‘long-term solution,’ lawmaker says
Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., explained that Congress is angling to design a nationwide AI framework that works with state law while offering common guardrails.
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Emerging Tech
Draft quantum order tasks many agencies with reinvigorating the tech’s development
The order outlines a widespread effort to plan for increased quantum innovation, private sector cooperation and international partnership in pursuit of a quantum computer for scientific applications and discovery.
Acquisition
Agencies are prioritizing flexibility and cost savings in AI purchases, GSA official says
GSA’s acting Assistant Commissioner Lawrence Hale from the General Services Administration said early demand has been focused on AI tools that support everyday work and productivity.
Policy
Tech Bills of the Week: Measures seek to boost cyber posture of utilities
The proposed legislation would expand the Energy Department’s role in hardening U.S. energy infrastructure to boost cybersecurity and physical protections for pipelines, electric utilities and local distribution systems.
Artificial Intelligence
Law enforcement is the leading DHS use case for AI
Subagencies like ICE and CBP are leveraging biometric technologies like facial recognition extensively, per the new case inventory.
Artificial Intelligence
Bipartisan pair of senators acknowledge need for federal AI standard that accounts for state laws
Sens. Cantwell and Young sound off on the policy requirements the U.S. needs to strengthen its scientific enterprise to win the global AI race.
Policy
Tech Bills of the Week: Expanding AI education via NSF; Commerce public awareness campaign; and more
With the Senate out, House lawmakers were busy introducing — and advancing — AI legislation.
Emerging Tech
Getting quantum tech from research to commercialization requires partnership, federal experts say
Federal experts working in quantum information sciences and technology mapped out commercialization paths for quantum technologies, specifically quantum computing, at a Thursday hearing.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump policies are helping ensure the US leads in global AI revolution, White House economic advisers argue
A new report from the White House Council of Economic Advisers highlights several metrics that could forecast AI’s impact on the economy, and advocates for President Donald Trump’s AI policy stances as important to American success.
Policy
Tech Bills of the Week: Civil rights offices for AI; Expanding veterans' education; and Curtailing ICE’s biometric use
A trio of new bills focus on the positives and negatives of emerging capabilities.
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Emerging Tech
House science committee to host hearing on National Quantum Initiative Act
The hearing will feature staff from several scientific agencies to evaluate the law’s progress and future.
Artificial Intelligence
Democrats question White House tech lead on how workforce churn will impact AI Action Plan
Several House lawmakers also worried over whether the Trump administration’s budget request for 2026 would fall short of the funding agencies need to successfully carry out the White House’s AI action plan.
Artificial Intelligence
Report: Workforce shortages, security fears among biggest hindrances to agency AI adoption
A report issued by Google Public Sector shed light on the state of play for federal AI adoption, finding most efforts are currently in pilot programs and held up by security concerns.
Emerging Tech
Sens. Young, Cantwell introduce National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization
The updated bill text adds multiple federal hubs to fund workforce growth and quantum technology research and development, as industry leaders hope for swift passage.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers expected to reintroduce quantum initiative authorization
Reauthorizing the National Quantum Initiative Act would support advanced quantum information sciences research across the federal government.
Cybersecurity
Analysts watch for heightened cyber, disinformation campaigns following Venezuela raid
Disinformation operations have been spotted, but there are no signs the efforts are being coordinated through a foreign government, one observer told Nextgov/FCW.
Artificial Intelligence
2026 is set to be the year of agentic AI, industry predicts
Leaders from major technology companies said their clients are asking for more specific agentic AI solutions, and cloud computing and data transformation will pave the way.
Artificial Intelligence
Inside the White House meeting on its AI Genesis Mission
Radical AI’s CEO, who participated in the meeting, said there was a goal-oriented, partnership-driven focus for Genesis Mission and the ways it can change how AI and science work together.
Digital Government
NASA and Microsoft finalize tool to track Earth’s water changes
The space agency will host the Microsoft and OpenAI-powered Earth Copilot to make analyzing hydraulic data easier.
