📺 Watch Member of Congress Speak at State of the Net

As the internet and AI continue to advance, members of Congress are taking steps to address new developments. At State of the Net, Senator Marsha Blackburn delivered a keynote address calling for increased children’s safety protections online and for investments in cybersecurity. Senator Edward Markey’s keynote discussed the importance of consumer choice, and a free, open internet. 

Additionally, Representative Kat Cammack advocated against regulation of technology companies, concerned with the potential to stifle innovation. At the same time, in a fireside chat with Maria Curi, Representative Jay Obernolte discussed a report from the bi-partisan House Task Force on AI which recommended numerous regulations to Congress. 

Finally, in a fireside chat with Kelcee Griffis, Representative Suhas Subramanyam discussed how he believes federal agencies can be effectively modernized to ensure competitiveness, emphasizing his disagreement with the policies of the Department of Government Efficiency. 

Senator Blackburn delivers Keynote at State of the Net

Senator Marsha Blackburn discusses protections for children online and the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). She discusses the disconnect between legal protections for children offline and the lack of any similar protections on the internet. Senator Blackburn also discusses cybersecurity, and the threat posed by routers developed by Chinese companies. In response to this potential threat, the Senator has introduced the ROUTERS Act, which would require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to conduct a study investigating the national security implications of foreign adversary controlled technology being used by American consumers. 

Senator Markey delivers Keynote at State of the Net

Senator Edward Markey advocates for increased competition online, more choice for consumers, and for net neutrality. The Senator raises concern over the how the relationships between owners of technology companies and the Trump administration will effect consumer choice and potential government regulations on social media companies. He specifically discusses Elon Musk’s current government role and expresses concern over the power that Musk has obtained in reshaping the federal bureaucracy. The Senator also attacks the White House agenda surrounding content moderation on social media platforms and places importance on preserving a free and open internet which places the benefits of consumers over corporate profits. 

Representative Obernolte joins Maria Curi for a Fireside Chat at State of the Net.

Representative Jay Obernolte discusses a report released by the bi-partisan House Task Force on AI in a fireside chat with Axios reporter Maria Curi. In a 270 page report, the task force, which Representative Obernulte Co-Chairs, detailed 80 recommendations to Congress for regulations on artificial intelligence. This fireside chat compares open source and closed source AI models, discusses licensing for the use of AI in certain technology, and emphasizes the importance of federal regulation rather than regulation implemented on a state by state basis. 

Senator Cammack delivers Keynote at State of the Net

Representative Kat Cammack calls for fewer regulations on technology companies and emphasizes the importance of building relationships between industry and members of Congress. She expresses concern regarding the potential for regulation to stifle innovation by technology companies and calls for the passage of the REINS Act, which would require Congressional approval for any major rule proposed by a federal agency. 

Representative Subramanyam joins Kelcee Griffis for a Fireside Chat at State of the Net.

Representative Suhas Subramanyam discusses his plans for technology policy in the 119th Congress and his work on technology in the Obama White House in a fireside chat with Bloomberg reporter Kelcee Griffis. Representative Subramanyam emphasizes the importance modernizing of government agencies, but states his disagreement with the current Department of Government Efficiency’s firing of federal workings and cuts to research funding. Instead, the Representative advocates for increased funding to research and retention of talent as a means of securing United States competitiveness in the technology space.