Driving The Day

Today is July 16, 2024, and here are the key policymaker and stakeholder actions on AI you need to know: Several publications examined the tech policy stances of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), former President Donald Trump’s newly-announced running mate. Vance, a former venture capitalist, has expressed skepticism about the AI lobbying efforts of large technology companies, criticized Google for “forcing left-wing bias down the throats of the American nation,” and praised FTC Chair Lina Khan. Meanwhile, competition officials in the U.K. launched a probe into Microsoft to examine whether hiring the employees of Inflection AI and signing a licensing deal for the startup’s technology constitutes a “de facto merger.” Similarly, the FTC is questioning Amazon over hiring employees from AI company Adept. Lastly, the Wall Street Journal explored China’s approach to the AI industry, which includes extensive government support for the industry but also “tight restrictions on political speech.”

In this issue:

• Washington in Focus: The Department of Energy proposes an AI strategy.

• Around the Nation: State privacy laws poised to fight unauthorized voice cloning.

• Across the Pond: Advocacy group submits complaint to U.K.’s privacy watchdog over Meta’s plan to train models with user data.

• Global Highlights: Kazakhstan focuses on AI development with new law and committee.

• Outside Views: Large tech companies navigate shareholder campaigns calling for more transparency around AI risk and practices. 

Read these stories and more below: