Explore

Rapid ReadRapid Read
OECD Releases 2026 Digital Economy and Society Outlook, Highlighting Technology Trends and Policy Shifts

OECD Releases 2026 Digital Economy and Society Outlook, Highlighting Technology Trends and Policy Shifts

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published its Digital Economy and Society Outlook 2026 (DESO 2026). This flagship report analyzes key trends in technology development, digital policies, and digital performance across OECD member countries and partner economies. The outlook is structured around three main pillars: technology, economy, and society. The technology pillar monitors advancements in digital infrastructure, including access and connectivity, and the future of artificial intelligence (AI) compute. The economy pillar examines digital adoption, innovation in privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), and the growth of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. The society pillar focuses on the interaction of child well-being with video gaming and the engagement of older adults with digital environments. The report notes a significant shift from technology-neutral policymaking to technology-specific policies, with AI being one of the most frequently m...
ReutersReuters
Exclusive-Microsoft presses Trump to scuttle expected ban on Chinese data center technology

Exclusive-Microsoft presses Trump to scuttle expected ban on Chinese data center technology

By Alexandra Alper WASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Microsoft has been pressing the Trump administration to halt plans to bar Chinese imports of a key component used in AI data centers, three people familiar with the situation said.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Former Senator Jay Rockefeller, E-Rate Champion, Dies at 89

Former Senator Jay Rockefeller, E-Rate Champion, Dies at 89

Former U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat from West Virginia and a key advocate for the E-rate program, has passed away at the age of 89. Rockefeller, who moved to West Virginia in 1964, served as the state's secretary of state, governor, and ultimately as a U.S. Senator from 1985 to 2015. His legacy is significantly marked by his commitment to his adopted home state and his work in telecommunications. He was instrumental in the creation of the federal E-rate program through the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This program provides discounts to schools and libraries, helping them afford internet access, internal networking, and basic telecommunications services. For rural states like West Virginia, where geographical challenges and costs can hinder connectivity, E-rate has been a vital tool for bringing educational institutions and communities online.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
OECD.AI Index Provides Framework for Monitoring National AI Ecosystems

OECD.AI Index Provides Framework for Monitoring National AI Ecosystems

The OECD.AI Index offers a structured approach for policymakers and researchers to examine national Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystems. Developed in response to the increasing demand for robust and internationally comparable metrics, the Index helps assess AI progress across five key dimensions: AI Research and Development, AI Enabling Infrastructure, Policy Environment, Jobs and Skills, and International Cooperation. It combines existing AI-specific indicators from the OECD.AI Policy Observatory with additional metrics to provide a comprehensive view. The Index is anchored in the OECD AI Principles, initially adopted in 2019 and updated in May 2024, and aims to help countries identify strengths, areas for improvement, and monitor progress in implementing AI recommendations. It is designed to support systematic comparisons and inform policy decisions, rather than serving as a country ranking.
TrendlineTrendline
UK AI Fund Prioritizes Chip Development for 'Interdependence' in Global AI Race

UK AI Fund Prioritizes Chip Development for 'Interdependence' in Global AI Race

UK AI Fund Prioritizes Chip Development for 'Interdependence' in Global AI Race
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Center for a New American Security Launches AI Policy Lab, Expanding National Security Focus

Center for a New American Security Launches AI Policy Lab, Expanding National Security Focus

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS), an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization based in Washington, D.C., is significantly investing in its AI and national security team by launching the AI Policy Lab. This new initiative aims to develop cutting-edge, technically informed policy analysis to address the rapid pace of AI progress and its implications for U.S. national security. The AI Policy Lab will integrate CNAS's existing expertise in technology, defense, regional affairs, and economics to analyze how AI is reshaping national power and geopolitical competition. CNAS is actively recruiting for various roles within the lab, including an Editor/Senior Editor, to support its work on AI governance, competition policy, and AI-related national security issues. The Editor/Senior Editor will be crucial in shaping and executing rapid-response publications, analysis, and commentary for national security and tech communities, as well as the broader public.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
China Hosts APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting, Emphasizing Regional Development

China Hosts APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting, Emphasizing Regional Development

China hosted the APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting in Chengdu in July, where participating economies adopted a ministerial statement. This statement signifies an agreement to promote digital and AI technologies to support regional development. As the host of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), China has placed digital and AI cooperation high on its agenda for that year. The theme for China's 2026 APEC host year is "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together," with a strong emphasis on openness, innovation, and cooperation. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance connectivity across the Asia-Pacific, moving beyond traditional physical infrastructure to include the coordinated development of digital infrastructure and standards. The Digital Economy Steering Group (DESG) also has a project scheduled for 2026 focusing on sharing experiences for cross-border data validation platforms within China.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
FCC Chairman Carr Appoints Will Holloway as Legal Adviser

FCC Chairman Carr Appoints Will Holloway as Legal Adviser

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr announced the appointment of Will Holloway as a legal adviser to his office. Holloway has been with the FCC for seven years, most recently serving as a legal adviser to Commissioner Olivia Trusty. In that role, he provided legal and policy analysis on a range of issues including wireless, space, international, engineering and technology, and public safety. Prior to his work with Commissioner Trusty, Holloway was counsel for the FCC’s Broadband Data Task Force from 2022 to 2025, where he supported the implementation of the Broadband DATA Act and the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection. He began his career at the FCC in 2019 as an honors attorney in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, focusing on broadband mapping and wireless infrastructure. Chairman Carr expressed his anticipation of drawing on Holloway's counsel across various matters. Allison Howell and Keelin Ferris also serve as legal advisers to Chairman Carr.
ReutersReuters
Microsoft presses Trump to scuttle expected ban on Chinese data center technology

Microsoft presses Trump to scuttle expected ban on Chinese data center technology

By Alexandra Alper WASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Microsoft has been pressing the Trump administration to halt plans to bar Chinese imports of a key component used in AI data centers, three people familiar with the situation said.
ReutersReuters
Exclusive-Microsoft presses Trump to scuttle ban on Chinese data center tech

Exclusive-Microsoft presses Trump to scuttle ban on Chinese data center tech

By Alexandra Alper WASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Microsoft and other companies and trade groups have pressed the Trump administration to halt plans to bar imports from China of a key component used in AI data centers, three people familiar with the situation said.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
European Union Proposes Global AI Incident Reporting Compact, Seeks U.S. and China Participation

European Union Proposes Global AI Incident Reporting Compact, Seeks U.S. and China Participation

The European Union is advocating for a global compact on AI incident reporting, aiming to establish a common framework for sharing information about AI failures. This initiative stems from the EU's AI Act, which mandates reporting of serious incidents by powerful AI models and high-risk applications starting in December 2027. The EU Commission plans to collaborate with other countries on cross-border information sharing and early warnings. However, recognizing that a unilateral European initiative might be perceived as 'regulatory colonialism,' the Commission seeks to form a coalition with countries like India, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. This group would pilot the mechanism from early 2027, with the intention of presenting it to the United Nations and the G20, and ultimately inviting China and the U.S. to participate. The goal is to create a common floor for cross-border information sharing on AI failures, requiring governments to establish reporting infrastructures and adopt common protocols ...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Appoints Will Holloway as Legal Adviser

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Appoints Will Holloway as Legal Adviser

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has announced the appointment of Will Holloway as a legal adviser in his office. Holloway previously served as a legal adviser to Commissioner Olivia Trusty, where he was responsible for legal and policy analysis on a range of issues including wireless, space, international, engineering and technology, and public safety. Before his role with Commissioner Trusty, Holloway worked as counsel for the FCC’s Broadband Data Task Force, providing legal and policy support for the implementation of the Broadband DATA Act and the commission’s Broadband Data Collection. He also held a position as an attorney adviser in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, focusing on broadband mapping and wireless infrastructure. Holloway began his career at the FCC as an honors attorney in the Wireless Bureau’s Competition and Infrastructure Policy Division. He holds a law degree from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law and an undergraduate degree from Sewanee: The University of th...