Keynote

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📺 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. 
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📣 More Keynotes for #SOTN25: Sen. Markey, Sen. Blackburn, Congresswoman Cammack, and Shira Perlmutter!

New Keynotes for #SOTN25: Sen. Markey, Sen. Blackburn, Congresswoman Cammack, and Shira Perlmutter!

The countdown to #SOTN2025 is on, and we can’t wait to welcome you to Washington, DC, for a day of cutting-edge discussions on tech policy. With a powerhouse lineup of keynotes – including newly announced speakers Senators Marsha Blackburn and Ed Markey, Rep. Kat Cammack, and Shira Perlmutter of the U.S. Copyright Office – plus panels, lightning talks, and salons featuring top voices in the field, this year’s conference will tackle the most pressing issues shaping our digital future. Register online by 12:00 PM ET on February 9th or sign up onsite!

Marsha Blackburn Official photo_v2_PhotoGallery

The Honorable Marsha Blackburn

The Senator from Tennessee
US Senate
Edward_Markey,_official_portrait,_114th_Congress

The Honorable Edward Markey

The Senator from Massachusetts
US Senate
Rep._Kat_Cammack_official_photo,_117th_Congress

The Honorable Kat Cammack

Representative of Florida’s 3rd Congressional District
U.S. House of Representatives
Shira_Perlmutter

Shira Perlmutter

Director and Register of Copyrights
U.S. Copyright Office
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📣 Obernolte & LeBlanc Keynotes: Get Your First Look at Tech Policy 2025

Get Ready / Keynotes

We’re excited to announce two keynotes for the 21st annual State of the Net Conference. Widely regarded as a Hill leader on artificial intelligence issues, Representative Jay Obernolte will share his plans for AI in the 119th Congress. Also, Travis LeBlanc from the U.S. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) will discuss how the PCLOB plans to oversee the Trump Administration’s broad surveillance powers, among other things.  

Jay Obernolte

The Honorable Jay Obernolte 

Member of Congress
U.S. House of Representatives
Travis_LeBlanc

The Honorable Travis LeBlanc

Board Member
President Civil Liberties Oversight Board
sotn2024_meta (1)
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White House Clare Martorana & Mina Hsiang To Keynote

We’re excited to announce that United States Federal CIO Clare Martorana and United States Digital Service Administrator Mina Hsiang will keynote the 20th Annual State of the Net Conference. Clare Martorana was appointed by President Biden as the Federal Chief Information Officer in March 2021, launching numerous critical technology policies. Mina Hsiang was named the third Administrator of the United States Digital Service in August 2021, bringing deep technical experience to the position.

White House Clare Martorana & Mina Hsiang To Keynote
In its 20th year, State of the Net (SOTN) is an opportunity to connect with colleagues across the spectrum of industry, government, and the public interest. With rapid innovations in areas such as AI, the public and legislators are paying attention to Internet policy perhaps more than ever before. Join the entire Internet policy community at SOTN on February 12, 2024.
Commissioners Carr Gomez
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📢 FCC’s Gomez & Carr to Keynote!

We’re excited to announce that FCC Commissioners Anna Gomez and Brendan Carr will keynote the 20th Annual State of the Net Conference. Commissioner Gomez is the newest face of the commission, bringing with her a strong background in cyberspace and digital policy. Commissioner Carr has served at the Commission since 2017 and keynoted SOTN in 2019. 

Registration is now open.

Commissioners Carr Gomez
REGISTER

In its 20th year, State of the Net (SOTN) is an opportunity to connect with colleagues across the spectrum of industry, government, and the public interest. With rapid innovations in areas such as AI, the public and legislators are paying attention to Internet policy perhaps more than ever before. Join the entire Internet policy community at SOTN on February 12, 2024.

Deirdre Mulligan & Alvaro Bedoya
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🎉 White House & FTC Commissioner Keynotes Announced

We’re excited to announce that Deirdre K. Mulligan and Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya will keynote the 20th Annual State of the Net Conference. Ms. Mulligan is the White House’s Principal Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer whose portfolio includes, among other things, the AI executive order. Federal Trade Commissioner Bedoya has long been at the intersection of privacy and civil rights.

State of the Net returns on Monday, February 12th. Mark your calendar and keep an eye out for more influential speakers.

Deirdre Mulligan & Alvaro Bedoya

In its 20th year, State of the Net (SOTN) is an opportunity to connect with colleagues across the spectrum of industry, government, and the public interest. With rapid innovations in areas such as AI, the public and legislators are paying attention to Internet policy perhaps more than ever before. Join the entire Internet policy community at SOTN on February 12, 2024.

 

Travis LeBlanc
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ICYMI Watch PCLOB’s Travis LeBlanc On 702 Reauthorization and Transatlantic Data Flows

Transatlantic data flows are in the headlines this week with the EDPB handing down a substantial fine on Meta. Of course, government surveillance is at the heart of that issue. At the same time, Congress is starting to look at reauthorizing the government’s 702 surveillance powers.

Back in March we were thrilled to have Travis LeBlanc of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board speak extensively with Amie Stepanovich about transatlantic data flows and 702 reauthorization. In case you missed it, you can watch it below.

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Diversity at State of the Net 2023

Last month we were thrilled to convene the Internet stakeholder community at the 19th annual State of the Net Conference, the nation’s most prominent Internet policy summit.

Speakers at SOTN reflect different perspectives on Internet policy issues. We have long curated the program to highlight differences of opinion among experts from across the spectrum of industry, government, academia, and civil society. 

We have made strides over the years to bring more diverse voices to the table at State of the Net. We’ve made great progress in some areas and have made incremental improvements in others. In other areas, we haven’t made much of a dent and we need to do better. In the interest of accountability, we’re publishing the below stats regarding speaker diversity at #SOTN2023.*

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There is always room for improvement and we will work harder. We will also continue our work to create a pipeline for talented Internet policy practitioners of color through the Internet Law & Policy Foundry. The Foundry, which we launched six years ago, is a professional development platform for early career professionals passionate about Internet law and policy. Diversity is a major goal in the Foundry admissions criteria for incoming fellows. We will also continue to inspire students of color to pursue careers in computer science and STEM through the Congressional App Challenge (CAC). Through the House’s official computer science competition for middle and high school students, which we administer, we work to ensure that student participation in the CAC reflects the diversity of the American people. (See impact/diversity).

* BIPOC Defined.
** Our survey of speakers at SOTN was passive. Our data is not a reflection of speakers’ attestation of identity.  

Agenda, Video
SOTN 2023 is over. Here are links to the program agenda, speakers, and videos.

Davidson Kanter Simington to Keynote
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Davidson, Kanter, & Simington Keynote State of the Net

On Monday, March 6th join us at the the State of the Net Conference. Here are just some of the government officials who will speak. Many more speaker will be added.

Alan Davidson
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and Administrator
National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Jonathan Kanter
Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division
U.S. Department of Justice

Nathan Simington
Commissioner
Federal Communications Commission

Reserve your spot now. Registration is now open. Tickets are complimentary for government staff, the press, Foundry fellows, sponsors, and students. Remote participants will be able to join through livestream feeds.

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ICYMI: SOTN Web3 Discussions Harbinger of Biden Crypto Order

Today the Biden Administration issued a sweeping executive order on cryptocurrencies. The Order suggests a more innovation driven and holistic approach to the emerging decentralized Web, beyond cryptocurrencies. Last week’s State of the Net Conference heralded many of the elements in the Biden EO by featuring a keynote by Rep Jake Auchincloss and a panel discussion on decentralized Web issues. In case you missed it, the video and transcripts from those talks are below.

Keynote with Rep. Jake Auchincloss

Web3, Metaverse, The Decentralized Web: Is The New Internet Coming?

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