Artificial Intelligence

House panels probe Airbnb, Anysphere over use of Chinese AI models

GOP lawmakers are seeking details on companies’ reliance on Chinese-developed systems, citing risks tied to data security, censorship and alleged AI distillation campaigns.

Artificial Intelligence

White House is drafting plans to permit federal Anthropic use

The move suggests the Trump administration is easing its stance on the AI company, which faced a Pentagon supply chain risk designation and phaseout directive.

Cybersecurity

Federal drawdown of election support ‘destroyed’ ongoing relationships, experts say

A House hearing highlighted warnings from state officials and other experts who say the Trump administration’s dismantling of CISA’s election work damages trust and coordination before the 2026 midterms.

Exclusive Artificial Intelligence

Experts call for halt of AI chip exports to China after White House distillation warning

An AI policy group argues the move is necessary after the White House warned that Beijing is attempting to use U.S. AI systems to build similar capabilities.

Policy

Tech bills of the week: Creating data privacy standards; Securing critical infrastructure from drones; and more

Congressional lawmakers introduced a raft of proposals this week, including bills to balance the power needs of data centers with consumer energy costs and to establish guidelines on the types of advanced semiconductors that can be sold to China.

Artificial Intelligence

White House accuses China of ‘deliberate, industrial-scale campaigns’ to steal US AI models

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy told federal agencies that the Trump administration will be enhancing its engagement with the private sector to counter foreign-led distillation campaigns designed to undermine U.S. AI advances.

Defense

Autonomous weapons will be ‘key and essential part’ of warfare, Joint Chiefs chair says

Chairman Dan Caine also said the U.S. needs to become a “better” buyer of advanced tools and tech for defense activities.

People

Plankey withdraws nomination to lead CISA

It’s not clear who Trump will tap to lead the cyberdefense agency following Plankey's withdrawal.

Cybersecurity

Cyber Command carried out over 8,000 missions in 2025, director says

The command expects to exceed that number in 2026, Gen. Josh Rudd told lawmakers Tuesday. A new Pentagon cyber strategy is also on the way, according to senior cyber official Katie Sutton.

Cybersecurity

Former FBI official proposes terror designations for ransomware hackers targeting hospitals

Cynthia Kaiser’s proposal also explores homicide charges under the federal felony murder rule in cases where attacks lead to patient deaths.

Cybersecurity

CISA resources ‘more limited than I would like’ amid shutdown, top official says

Many “preparatory activities” and “outreach that we’d typically be able to do” are not allowed during an ongoing DHS shutdown, Nick Andersen told lawmakers.

Policy

Senate passes 10-day FISA extension after House revolt sinks long-term deal

The short-term patch was cleared by unanimous consent hours after the House sank a five-year proposal and had to pivot to the 10-day stopgap. It now goes to President Donald Trump’s desk.

Policy

House passes 10-day FISA extension after prospects of long-term deal collapse

The short-term patch was cleared via unanimous consent after opposition from many Democrats and GOP hardliners sank a 5-year proposal with reforms not satisfactory to privacy advocates.

Policy

DOJ to appeal intelligence court ruling over use of spying power

A judge on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court took issue with how spy agencies use filtering tools to sift through raw data collected by the FISA 702 program.

Cybersecurity

Expect more cybersecurity executive orders soon, national cyber director says

Sean Cairncross also said that his office and others in the administration are in touch with AI and tech companies following Anthropic’s Project Glasswing announcement.

People

CISA cancels CyberCorps summer internship hiring amid DHS shutdown

The reversal presents a major setback for students who had secured internships after months of confusion about their job outcomes.

Cybersecurity

FCC selects ioXt Alliance to lead cyber labeling program

The prior lead administrator withdrew from the Biden-era Cyber Trust Mark initiative after the launch of a Trump administration probe into its alleged China ties.

Policy

DHS intelligence office restructuring would still keep it under ODNI oversight

A proposed FY27 overhaul would still leave DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis answerable to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, despite questions about its oversight.