Week 3: White House AI czar pushes for federal funding, Dems stand up to Trump on AI, Google loses in court, and more
AI in government continues to spark controversy, Big Tech's days in court do not seem to be numbered, and the second edition of AI+ expo is just around the corner.
⏰Time to read for: ~2 minutes (545 words)
🔔White House AI and crypto czar advocates for government funding
Last Friday, David Sacks, the White House’s AI and crypto czar, said that U.S.-made chips should have strong export controls.
Context: Sacks highlighted the funding needed for the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) which enforces export controls on US-made chips.
Notable quote: “I do think there are a lot of Western companies that will look the other way or turn a blind eye and just haven't been enforcing the rules as religiously as they should because it's profitable not to.”
Why it matters: This funding push is rare for the Trump White House, especially from a figure who has been supportive of DOGE efforts to cut federal funding across several agencies.
📃Policy
Almost 50 House Democrats reject unauthorized AI in Trump administration
Context: Spearheaded by Reps. Donald Beyer, Mike Levin, and Melanie Stansbury, House Democrats sent a letter to the Trump administration demanding a stop to applying unauthorized artificial intelligence systems for slashing government spending.
Letter content: “[These systems] present serious security risks, self-dealing, and potential criminal liability if not handled correctly, and have the potential to undermine successful and appropriate AI adoption.”
AI/ML governance policy — Office of the Chief Technology Officer (DC government)
A potential force-multiplier for AI research investments — Center for AI Policy
⚡️Want to advertise your company/project to our subscribers?
We are opening up one space per newsletter for promotion. If interested, message Sam below!
💸Business
Google loses online advertising monopoly case
Context: Last Thursday, a federal court rules that Google’s dominance of online advertising violates U.S. antirust laws.
From the court: “Google has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act by willfully acquiring and maintaining monopoly power in the open-web display publisher ad server market and the open-web display ad exchange market, and has unlawfully tied its publisher ad server (DFP) and ad exchange (AdX) in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act.”
AI, data center growth point to big channel opportunity — Channel Futures
Musk and AI among biggest threats to brand reputation — The Guardian
🌹Culture
AI+ Expo (June 2-4)
By the numbers: “Join 15,000 members of government, academia, and industry front runners in the nation’s capital for an exclusive, highly collaborative event where education and critical insights are shared on AI and emerging technologies.”
Latest event recap
Recap 3: AI insiders roundtable
GenAI DC lead Catherine and operations lead Anna D’Aprile join creative director, Sam Li to recap the chapter’s most recent event: AI insiders roundtable.
Upcoming GenAI DC events
Notion x DC Decoded series: Notion AI, Notion Calendar, Notion Mail — starting next month
Team life updates
🎾 Sam will take advantage of the warmer weather (finally) to go play tennis this weekend.
💃Catherine is excited to get back into the salsa dancing scene in DC, especially outdoors by the Georgetown waterfront.
