Welcome to the Future!
Politics and A.I. feels like a punch line, and maybe it is. Florida lawmakers are considering disclaimers on any political information that utilizes content derived from artificial intelligence.
Miami Herald | 10 Things to Watch as Florida lawmakers begin 2024 session
Recently hackers have taken hold of water systems in the US. The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa in Pennsylvania connected the hack to its Israeli made system. Politico’s Morning Cybersecurity provides insight. The hacks have prompted “four federal agencies and the Israel National Cyber Directorate to issue a joint advisory warning of “malicious cyber activity” against certain devices by groups linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.”
States that bar or restrict municipally owned broadband may not be eligible for federal broadband funds. “In its draft plan, Texas’ broadband office said only the state’s legislature can change a law that gives preference to private broadband providers. As a result, the office said it cannot allow local governments to be eligible for BEAD funding in areas where private companies are also seeking funding to improve broadband service.”
Route Fifty | Could the feds withhold broadband funding to some states?
Al Gore this week suggested that policy makers should ban certain uses of algorithms that are “an abuse of the public forum.” The policy concern is that the algorithms effectively harm our form of government by weaponizing information. @bloombergbusiness
The Hill | Al Gore calls social media algorithms ‘digital’ AR-15s
New York State Legislature is considering a Crypto Task Force that would examine the emerging industries of digital currency, cryptocurrency, and blockchain. The 16 member Task Force would be appointed by the Governor and the Legislature to study the industries, including their trade on exchanges, impacts on state and local tax receipts, and energy consumption and environmental impact of digital mining.
State of Politics | New York lawmakers propose task force to examine crypto industry
Amsterdam is blurring faces of people seen on public CCTV. The policy reason to blur faces is to safeguard people’s privacy. In addition to blurring faces, Amsterdam is blurring license plates and company branding. @worldeconomicforum
California has released a new report, Benefits and Risks of Generative
Artificial Intelligence Report, laying out guardrails for AI use in state government. The report stresses a need for an ongoing partnership with the Legislature, community, academia, and technical experts.
The FTC has sent warning letters over paid dietician influencers. “The agency flagged nearly three dozen social media posts that it said failed to clearly disclose who was paying the influencers to promote artificial sweeteners or sugary foods. The health influencers collectively have over 6 million followers on TikTok and Instagram.” @washingtonpost
The FCC has approved new rules that prohibit broadband companies from digital redlining. Digital redlining means a company is providing faster digital service in wealthier communities. “The new rules only prohibit discrimination that is ‘not justified by genuine issues of economic or technical feasibility.'”
Route Fifty | FCC adopts rules prohibiting ‘digital redlining’
How’s crypto going to impact the 2024 Presidential election? Some candidates like Ted Cruz are openly accepting campaign contributions in crypto. DeSantis’ campaign is also accepting crypto. There are still unprecedented regulatory and tax issues related to crypto and central bank digital currencies that state and federal elected officials could tackle.
CCN | Bitcoin in the U.S. Election Race: What Role Will Crypto Play in Deciding Next President?