Week of June 5, 2023
While children across the nation are getting to savor the joyous feeling that comes with the end of school and the start of summer vacation, Congress is starting its annual summer legislative slog of grinding through the NDAA and appropriations process.
Congress passed legislation to raise the debt ceiling last week, and sent it to the President’s desk on Saturday. The deal suspends the debt limit into 2025 and is generally considered a significant accomplishment for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), though it remains to be seen if there is a political price to be paid for the compromises that went into what ultimately became a bipartisan deal.
What We’re Watching:
House E&C Wades Into Blockchain: Along with the House Financial Services and Agriculture Committees, the Energy and Commerce Committee is the latest to wade into the digital asset waters. The Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee plans to hold a hearing this Wednesday to examine blockchain applications, the future of Web3, and other use cases for distributed ledger technologies. Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) said about the hearing, “The applications of emerging technologies have the potential to increase digital commerce, strengthen our supply chains, and enhance data privacy and security. It is critical that the U.S. lead in the development of distributed ledger technologies, like blockchain.” The hearing is expected to be largely educational for Members, but signals interest in the growing area of blockchain.
Senate Judiciary Has Another Go On AI: Following the highly-watched Senate Judiciary hearing with OpenAI’s Sam Altman in early May, the Senate Judiciary IP Subcommittee is planning to have its own examination of the industry. Next Wednesday, the subcommittee will hold a hearing to examine AI and IP, focusing on patents, innovation, and competition. The use of AI and intellectual property is a growing area of concern, as policymakers grapple with issues of generative AI creating patentable or copyrighted creations, as well as ways to properly ensure that the data AI is trained on is not violating IP laws. The House Judiciary IP Subcommittee recently held a hearing to examine AI and copyright concerns, and it is likely more hearings regarding the use of AI in IP will continue to be held.
Junk Fees Are Back on the Table: Following the President’s Executive Order on eliminating junk fees in a number of industries, the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Data Security is keeping the moment going, holding a hearing this Thursday to examine “how undisclosed fees harm consumers and prevent a fair and transparent market,” according to the charter. The hearing signals a continued focus from several Committees on consumer protections and greater need for transparency across industries.
What’s Happening This Week:
Tech Hearings
House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on IP and China Part II - Tuesday, June 6 at 10:00 AM ET
House Agriculture hearing on digital assets - Tuesday, June 6 at 10:00 AM ET
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing on blockchain technology - Wednesday, June 7 at 10:00 AM ET
House Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing on cyberthreats at the Department of Interior - Wednesday, June 7 at 2:00 PM ET
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on AI and IP - Wednesday, June 7 at 3:00 PM ET
Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing on junk fees - Thursday, June 8 at 10:00 AM ET
Tech Events
The Atlantic Council - "Beyond chatbots: How the U.S.-China tech race will define AI's future" - Monday, June 5 at 11:30 AM ET
The Brookings Institution - "Can attainable broadband deployment be achieved without the Affordable Connectivity Program?" - Monday, June 5 at 12:00 PM ET
Information Technology and Innovation Foundation holds a virtual discussion - "Does the U.S. Need a new AI (Artificial Intelligence) Regulator?" - Tuesday, June 6 at 1:00 PM ET
Commerce Department - NIST Meeting on CHIPS R&D Programs Progress - Tuesday, June 6 at 9:30 AM ET
National Defense Industrial Association Cybersecurity Division - meeting to discuss strategy and direction for the association on cyber-related topics as they apply to federal contractors - Wednesday, June 7 at 1:00 PM ET
The Potomac Officers Club - 2023 Cyber Summit - Thursday, June 8 at 7:00 AM ET
The Bipartisan Policy Center - "Emerging Technology and the Workforce" - Thursday, June 8 at 10:00 AM ET
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation - "The Future of the Internet in Europe" - Thursday, June 8 at 10:30 AM ET
The German Marshall Fund of the United States - "AI Governance and Accountability" - Thursday, June 8 at 12:00 PM ET
The Business Council for International Understanding - "Implications of Artificial Intelligence on Private Sector Operations" - Thursday, June 8 at 2:00 PM ET
The Atlantic Council - "Is Your Data AI-Ready?" - Friday, June 9 at 11:30 AM ET
State Department - Advisory Committee on International Law to discuss international law topics, including how non-intervention applies in cyberspace and developments with Advisory Opinions at the International Court of Justice - Friday, June 9 at 3:15 PM ET
What’s Interesting This Week:
Transatlantic Communications Made Possible…. On June 10, 1858, two ships headed out to begin work on what would become the first operational Transatlantic cable. Previous attempts at laying a Transatlantic cable had failed. Designed for telegraph operation, the cable run is completed on August 5th and the first test message is sent on August 12th. However, the cable failed on September 18th and repair was not possible at the time.
