Driving the Day

Today is January 17, 2025, and here are the key policymaker and stakeholder actions on AI you need to know: In Washington, D.C., U.S. federal agencies are now authorized to leverage OpenAI’s GPT-4 in Microsoft’s “top-secret cloud environment” to support classified operations. Meanwhile, a former Nevada state official pointed to the potential of AI-powered technology to aid in the early detection of wildfires. Across the pond, Polish and EU officials expressed concern that new export restrictions on U.S. AI chips could threaten Poland's €1.2 billion AI initiative. Finally, according to Axios, Chinese AI developers built AI models that are nearly on par with “the U.S.'s most advanced competition” and “use far less money, chips and power.”

In this issue:

• Washington in Focus: U.S. Commerce Department guidance aims to improve how generative AI uses census, climate, and economic data.

• Around the Nation: A Forbes contributor argued Texas’ HB 1709 is the law every employer who relies on AI needs to understand.

• Across the Pond: Two British academics suggest the UK’s plans for AI could derail its net zero ambitions.

• Global Highlights: The Armed Forces of the Philippines is studying how it can use AI, particularly in the online space.

• Outside Views: Can AI rescue the public sector and deliver its long-promised digital transformation?

Read these stories and more below: