Latest news with #AIpolicy
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Yahoo
Working group offers recommendations for AI use in schools to NM lawmakers
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Artificial intelligence is quickly integrating into different fields, including schools. But how can New Mexico schools and students use it safely and ethically? On Wednesday, the Legislative Education Study Committee heard from a working group of school staff, students, and non-profits on their recommendations on policy surrounding AI. Story continues below News: UNM issues shelter in place as shooting leaves 1 dead, 1 injured on Albuquerque campus Trending: VIDEO: Albuquerque bus driver stabs passenger after fight on the bus Community: What's happening in New Mexico July 25-31? Lavender in the Village Festival and more 'Every job in some way is beginning to incorporate AI. And so, if PED fails to provide schools with the tools they need to learn how to use AI with integrity and with safety and knowledge of natural biases of these machines, it means they will be woefully unprepared for entering a career,' said Andrew Proctor, a student at East Mountain High School. The working group was formed as a result of HM 2 in the last legislative session. On Wednesday, the group told lawmakers that AI policy should ensure equitable access to AI in all New Mexico schools. That recommendation includes having an oversight body at the New Mexico Public Education Department who would help schools find funding opportunities to implement AI and also create a vetting system so schools know which AI tools are safe to use. 'We should be working to ensure AI use in New Mexico dismantles existing barriers, not creates new ones,' said Francine Binnert, Librarian, Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School. The group also recommended ongoing professional development for teachers on the technology. 'AI is moving faster than our systems can keep up, and without thoughtful leadership, educators will thrive while others fall behind. Not because of effort but training and guidance,' said Jaycie Homer, Teacher, Lovington Municipal Schools. The group also highlighted the importance of safety laws addressing different concerns, like personal data if a student's information is entered, or cyberbullying if a student uses a chatbot to create mean messages for a peer. Lawmakers are considering the recommendations ahead of the upcoming 30-day session. 'They're going to use it. But I am concerned about ensuring students are developing critical thinking skills. So, how are we ensuring that?' said Sen. Anthony Thornton (R-Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe & Torrance Counties). The legislative session begins on January 21, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword


Bloomberg
23-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Bloomberg Businessweek Daily 7/23/2025
On today's Bloomberg Businessweek Daily, Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec speak with Center for Strategic & International Studies Japan Chair Kristi Govella about the US-Japan trade deal as Trump sets tariffs at 15%. Then, Ed Ludlow breaks down the White House unveiling it's AI policy vision. Bloomberg Intelligence Global Head of Technology Research Mandeep Singh previews Alphabet's earning report, and Steve Man talks Elon Musk's bet on Tesla's robotaxi program. Carlsmed Co-Founder Mike Cordonnier joins to discuss use of AI in spinal surgery as company raises over $100 million in IPO. (Source: Bloomberg)


The Verge
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Trump just unveiled his plan to put AI in everything
Ensuring AI reflects 'objective truth,' slashing onerous regulations, disseminating US AI tools around the world, and fast-tracking AI infrastructure: this is all part of President Donald Trump's vision for AI policy. The White House unveiled its 'AI Action Plan' Wednesday ahead of a scheduled appearance by the president at an event in Washington, DC. The 28-page document lays out three pillars of US AI policy in the Trump era: accelerating AI innovation, building American AI infrastructure, and leading international diplomacy and security around AI. Trump is expected to sign a series of related executive orders this week to help implement the plan. He's slated to appear at an event Wednesday evening hosted by the Hill and Valley Forum and the All In Podcast, which is co-hosted by tech investor-turned-White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks. Large chunks of the plan echo bipartisan rhetoric about ensuring the US maintains a leading role in the AI race and integrates the tech into its economy. But other aspects reflect the Trump administration's push to root out diversity efforts and climate initiatives, as well as a Republican-led attempt to ban states from regulating AI. The plan recommends deleting 'references to misinformation, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and climate change' in federal risk management guidance and prohibiting the federal government from contracting with large language model (LLM) developers unless they 'ensure that their systems are objective and free from top-down ideological bias' — a standard it hasn't yet clearly defined. It says the US must 'reject radical climate dogma and bureaucratic red tape' to win the AI race. The Trump administration wants to create a ''try-first' culture for AI' It also seeks to remove state and federal regulatory hurdles for AI development, including by denying states AI-related funding if their rules 'hinder the effectiveness of that funding or award,' effectively resurrecting a failed congressional AI law moratorium. The plan also suggests cutting rules that slow building data centers and semiconductor manufacturing facilities, and expanding the power grid to support 'energy-intensive industries of the future.' The Trump administration wants to create a ''try-first' culture for AI across American industry,' to encourage greater uptake of AI tools. It encourages the government itself to adopt AI tools, including doing so 'aggressively' within the Armed Forces. As AI alters workforce demands, it seeks to 'rapidly retrain and help workers thrive in an AI-driven economy.' The administration recently lifted restrictions on Nvidia from selling some of its advanced AI chips to companies in China. But the AI Action Plan suggests it's still contemplating some restrictions on selling US technology to foreign adversaries, by recommending the government 'address gaps in semiconductor manufacturing export controls.' The plan also discusses fostering science and research around AI development, investing in biosecurity as AI is used to find new cures for diseases, and creating the necessary legal framework to combat deepfakes. Implementing this plan and 'Winning the AI race' will ensure the country's security, competitiveness, and economic wellbeing, according to an intro by Sacks, the president's science and technology advisor Michael Kratsios, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 'The opportunity that stands before us is both inspiring and humbling,' they write. 'And it is ours to seize, or to lose.' Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Lauren Feiner Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All AI Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Policy Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Politics Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Regulation


CNA
15-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
What's at stake as the US gives Saudis access to state-of-the-art AI chips
President Donald Trump's administration has changed the direction of US AI policy toward two oil-rich states in the Middle East. It's paved the way for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to buy chips from Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices that are considered state-of-the-art when it comes to creating and running artificial intelligence software and services. Previously, the US had restrictions on delivering advanced technology to the region as part of broader controls on the spread of US AI-related tech. Those constraints have been motivated by national security concerns and, more broadly, the desire to keep the capabilities out of China's hands. What restrictions did the Trump administration lift? The Commerce Department announced May 13 that the US was rescinding the so-called AI diffusion rule launched by Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, which created three broad tiers of access for countries seeking AI chips. The rule would have taken effect May 15. Trump's administration is drafting its own approach and could shift toward negotiating individual deals with countries, according to people familiar with the matter. At the same time, the Commerce Department issued guidance stating that the use 'anywhere in the world' of Ascend artificial intelligence chips made by China's Huawei Technologies violates the US government's export controls. It also warned against the use of 'US AI chips for training and inference of Chinese AI models'. What's in the offing for Saudi Arabia and the UAE? Saudi Arabia's state-run investment firm has created a company called Humain that is spearheading a push by the kingdom into AI infrastructure. Under a deal announced during a visit by Trump to the Gulf region, Humain is to receive 'several hundred thousand' of Nvidia's most advanced processors over the next five years, starting with 18,000 of its cutting-edge GB300 Grace Blackwell products and its InfiniBand networking technology. The Trump administration hasn't formally announced it has given permission to export the technology, but the president was an active participant in the announcement of the deals. Global AI, a US tech venture, also plans to collaborate with Humain, in an agreement expected to be worth billions of dollars, according to a person familiar with the matter. and Humain are investing US$5 billion in an 'AI zone' in Saudi Arabia. California-based Cisco Systems is also partnering with Humain as well as with the AI company G42, which is based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. The Trump administration is weighing a deal that would allow the UAE to import more than a million advanced Nvidia chips, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. The deal would let the UAE import 500,000 of the most advanced chips each year from now to 2027, said the people. One-fifth would be set aside for G42, while the remainder would go to US companies building data centres in the Gulf nation, according to the people. Why are US components important to the Saudis and Emiratis? The two countries, like others across the globe, want to build national capabilities in the rapidly advancing field of AI. The technology is seen as the key to future competitiveness in a wide range of spheres, including national defence, modern manufacturing and consumer services. The fear of being left behind is growing, as is the willingness to spend massively on AI infrastructure. Nvidia's chips, and to an extent those from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), are currently the best by far at turning mountains of data into software and services that get close to, or in some cases exceed, human intelligence. What was the argument for loosening the restrictions? In its statement, the Commerce Department said that the Biden administration's regulations 'would have undermined US diplomatic relations with dozens of countries by downgrading them to second-tier status'. In strenuous lobbying efforts in Washington, Nvidia and other companies have argued that restrictions on the export of their chips are counterproductive. They say that by limiting access to the products of American technology companies, the US has invited their rivals, such as Huawei, to step in to offer up their limited but improving alternatives. So not only is the revenue of US companies crimped, hindering their ability to maintain their technical edge, but other countries will develop capabilities outside of US influence. The argument goes that if overseas AI infrastructure is based on the products of American companies, it can be monitored and influenced by the US. Is everyone onboard? No. A key lawmaker on the House Select Committee on China, who has long sounded the alarm about G42's ties to Huawei and other companies in China, voiced his concern. 'We need safeguards in place before more agreements move forward,' Representative John Moolenaar, the top Republican on the panel, said in a post on X. What's at stake for US technology companies? Providing the infrastructure to make possible what's known as sovereign AI has become the next frontier for a range of tech companies. That's the phrase coined to encompass the efforts of various governments to make sure there are data centres within their national boundaries capable of cutting-edge AI work. For chipmakers in particular, it's an opportunity to lessen dependence on the spending of a few large US companies. That group, the so-called hyperscalers — Microsoft, and their peers — currently dominate the investment in AI data centres. They're also developing in-house chips that could replace those from Nvidia or AMD. Why has the Middle East become a focal point? Saudi Arabia and the UAE for years, have tried to make their economies less reliant on the export of fossil fuels and see AI as a way to accelerate their diversification efforts. They've got money to invest and are willing to deploy it rapidly, which is important because AI infrastructure doesn't come cheap. Nvidia chips can cost tens of thousands of dollars each, and creating a system that's competitive requires stringing tens of thousands of them together with expensive networking and cooling. All that computing horsepower sucks up a huge amount of electricity. The two countries have access to relatively cheap fossil-fuel power and aim to expand renewable energy generation. What's the US getting in return for the easing of AI controls? The AI initiatives were announced amid a flurry of other deals benefiting US companies unveiled during Trump's visit to the region. Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman claimed the agreements were worth US$1 trillion, but the actual tally appeared to be closer to US$300 billion, including defence sales valued at US$142 billion. Other deals included one by Saudi aircraft leasing company AviLease to purchase US$4.8 billion of passenger jets from Boeing. Trump adviser Elon Musk said the kingdom agreed to authorise the use of his Starlink service in aviation and maritime shipping.


The National
07-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Chip exports: Trump says easing of restrictions for Gulf countries might be announced soon
US President Donald Trump said his administration might soon change a controversial chip export policy that some say stifled AI aspirations of countries in the Middle East and elsewhere. "We might be doing that, and it'll be announced soon," Mr Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday, after speculation that he may be planning to ease chip export restrictions to some of countries on his trip to the Gulf next week. Last week, a source told The National that the Trump administration was working to ease export restrictions on the UAE, one of the countries that would have been affected by the export policies set to go into effect on May 15. The policy, also referred to as the AI diffusion rule, was drafted during the final months of the Biden administration as it sought to protect the US lead on AI development by preventing highly powerful central processing units and graphic processing units from being obtained by rival countries, such as China. If enacted, the law would split countries and territories into tiers that would determine how many powerful chips and GPUs they could buy. Falling into the first tier and unaffected by the rules are Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the UK. Other countries, such as Switzerland, Poland, Greece, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Israel, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, would fall into a second-tier category, making it more difficult – although not impossible – to obtain the chips needed for AI research and development. The third tier of countries – China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria and Venezuela – will have the most difficulty obtaining GPUs and CPUs under the new rules, if they are applied. US technology giants like Nvidia and Microsoft have been vocal in recent months, pushing for the export policies to be largely shelved. In January, Ned Finkle, vice president of government affairs at Nvidia, said the Biden administration sought to 'undermine America's leadership with a 200-plus-page regulatory morass, drafted in secret and without proper legislative review'. Other companies, however, such as Anthropic, have defended the rules on grounds of national security. Those disagreements reached a crescendo last week, resulting in a war of words between Nvidia and Anthropic.