Reuters
The Trump administration on Friday released a national AI policy framework which it said was aimed at creating a unified federal approach to regulation and preventing a patchwork of state-level rules. The plan proposes regulations on AI products and infrastructure, including the standardization of permits and energy use by AI datacenters. It calls on Congress to address intellectual property rights and to create regulations that prevent AI systems “from being used to silence or censor lawful political expression or dissent.” Lawmakers in California, New York, and several other states have pushed for their own state-level regulations on AI.
From "White House Releases AI Policy to Pre-empt State Rules"
Reuters (03/20/26) Katharine Jackson; Doina Chiacu
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The New York Times
Major tech companies increasingly are bypassing traditional power grids and building off-grid natural gas plants to meet the soaring energy demands of their datacenters. Long delays to secure grid connections have pushed firms like Meta and xAI to adopt faster, though costlier and less efficient, on-site power solutions. While this ensures reliable energy supply, it raises concerns about higher costs, fossil fuel dependence, and environmental impacts.
From "Tech Giants Are Ditching the Power Grid"
The New York Times (03/18/26) Rebecca F. Elliott; Harry Stevens
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The Wall Street Journal
Advances in AI tools are transforming who can create software, leading to a surge of self-described “builders” in San Francisco and beyond. Platforms like ChatGPT, Claude Code, and Replit allow non-engineers—from marketers to children—to quickly build apps, websites, and automation tools using simple prompts. This shift is blurring traditional roles, enabling people to create solutions for work and daily life without formal coding skills.
From "Suddenly Everyone in San Francisco Is a ‘Builder’"
The Wall Street Journal (03/19/26) Katherine Bindley
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NBC News
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Justice seized the website of Handala, a hacking group believed by cybersecurity experts to be operated by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security. Handala had claimed responsibility for hacking medical technology firm Stryker, the only known significant cyberattack on a U.S. company since the war between the U.S. and Iran began in February. The agencies also seized a backup site and two other websites boasting Iranian cyber campaigns.
From "FBI Seizes Website Tied to Iranian Cyberattack on U.S. Company"
NBC News (03/19/26) Kevin Collier
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Reuters
Russia plans to give itself broad authority to ban or restrict foreign AI tools under proposed rules from its Ministry for Digital Development. The regulations aim to protect Russian citizens from “covert manipulation” and require AI to respect “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.” Foreign AI services would need to store Russian user data locally for three years to comply. The initiative favors domestically developed AI and is part of Russia’s broader effort to maintain a sovereign, tightly controlled Internet.
From "Russia to Give Itself Sweeping Powers to Ban, Restrict Foreign AI Tools"
Reuters (03/20/26) Andrew Osborn
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Bloomberg
DoorDash has launched a new app called Tasks that pays couriers to complete activities like recording videos, conversations, and everyday chores that will be used to help train AI and robotics systems. The initiative leverages the delivery service’s large gig workforce to generate real-world data to be used by DoorDash and partners across industries such as retail, insurance, and technology. DoorDash will also offer digital tasks in its regular courier app.
From "DoorDash's New Paid Tasks Turn Couriers into AI, Robot Trainers"
Bloomberg (03/19/26) Natalie Lung
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