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Round-Up for the Week of June 2-6, 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is here and cementing its place in our communications networks faster than any other developing technology. With this in mind, the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing on June 4th to discuss AI and its "current applications and future frontiers in communications and technology." Through this hearing, the subcommittee and its selected witnesses sought to answer three main questions about the development of AI:

• How can AI be used to enhance efficiency within our communications networks?
• How can we use AI to secure our communications infrastructure from malicious actors?
• What opportunities and challenges does AI present across various sectors of the communications and technology industries?

Here's what they said.

AI is Transforming How We Work and Live, and Needs More Infrastructure––Yesterday

Opening statements from subcommittee members and witnesses alike showed the breadth of challenges and opportunities that have to do with integrating AI into our communications networks. Subcommittee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) began the discussion with an introduction, hitting on AI's development and the questions that loom ever larger on what to do with it:

Chairman Hudson added that almost everyone uses AI in their daily lives, whether they are aware of it or not. While this can look like using generative AI––like ChatGPT––to make grocery lists, create graphic design materials, clean up your resume, or even code, it's also built into the communications services we use through our internet connections in less visible ways. An example of this, according to Chairman Hudson, is how your cell phone provider uses AI to reduce harmful spectrum interference to your phone, ensuring there is no lapse in service.

Hearing witness Chip Pickering, Chief Executive Officer of trade association Incompas, further emphasized the benefits of AI in our communications infrastructure:

Witness Ronnis Vasishta, Senior Vice President of Telecom at NVIDIA, acknowledged the role of AI in wireless telecommunications systems.

"The convergence of AI and wireless infrastructure will fundamentally reshape the global telecommunications landscape," said Vasishta.

The boom in AI usage means industry needs the physical infrastructure and energy supply capable of handling that growth. Artificial Intelligence uses a significant amount of computational power to operate, which takes massive amounts of electricity to fuel the data centers AI requires. More AI requires more data centers, the power demands of which result in increased carbon dioxide emissions and pressures on the electric grid.

While Hudson's opening remarks did not address the environmental costs of AI, the subcommittee chairman acknowledged the infrastructure demands of the technology: "As data capacity increases, we will need robust fiber optic and wireless connectivity to ensure powerful new AI systems can reach their fullest potential."

While Hudson's opening remarks did not address the environmental costs of AI, the subcommittee chairman acknowledged the infrastructure demands of the technology, stating, "As data capacity increases, we will need robust fiber optic and wireless connectivity to ensure powerful new AI systems can reach their fullest potential."

Pickering added that permitting reforms and fiber expansion will benefit rural areas of the country, saying, "If you have data centers, and you have fiber, then you will see the economic growth come to the middle parts of the country, not just the coastal [parts]."

One way to meet those infrastructure demands is to accelerate the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs. The BEAD Program aims to bring universal connectivity to all 50 states and territories of the U.S. BEAD is also facing regulatory overhauls [maybe as soon as today!] that may result in extensive changes to states’ existing plans and planned awards, delaying broadband infrastructure deployment.

This week, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick outlined his proposed changes to BEAD requirements that include states submitting new proposals that are "tech agnostic" or "tech neutral." Under this restructured program, all other activities included in BEAD that aren't related to broadband deployment––like providing affordable devices, or implementing job training programs to boost the workforce––could be eliminated.

Rep Erin Houchin (R-IN) voiced her support for reducing the non-deployment funds available in the BEAD Program, which she said were "more costly" and hinder BEAD flexibility.

"Universal connectivity is the building block for universal AI access," said Subcommittee Ranking Member Doris Matsui (D-CA) at the hearing. "This includes the fiber networks that provide reliable, scalable, and high-speed connections for AI applications to process large amounts of data."

Rep Matsui emphasized the need for federal broadband programs to be executed without delay in order for the benefits of AI to be fully utilized:

Rep Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the ranking member of the full Commerce Committee,  echoed these statements, saying, "I urge the Trump Administration to get out of its way and let the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's [BEAD Program] move forward as intended, letting the states deploy networks that are fast, reliable and can meet the technological demands for decades to come."

Without the Digital Equity Act, AI Widens the Digital Divide

Having the physical infrastructure required to allow AI functions isn't enough to reap the full benefits of the technology, subcommittee members asserted. In order for AI to be used by all U.S. residents, they must have the digital skills necessary to know what possibilities are available to them.

The termination of Digital Equity Act programs, effective on May 9, 2025, resulted in the cancellation of the states' and territories' long-planned digital equity plans and programs. Without Digital Equity Act funds, states will struggle to provide the widespread digital skills training and support necessary to enable U.S. residents to use developing AI technology.

The Digital Equity Act––a bipartisan measure signed into law in 2021––states that digital exclusion "materially harms the opportunity of an individual with respect to the economic success, educational achievement, positive health outcomes, social inclusion, and civic engagement of that individual." The U.S. is hindered by a skills gap. The National Skills Coalition (NSC) estimates that 92 percent of jobs require digital skills, and one-third of workers don’t have the foundational digital skills necessary to enter and thrive in today’s jobs.

If the current gap in digital skills cannot be closed using Digital Equity Act funds, and if AI's rapid development is not distributed equitably through digital skills training and AI literacy, the technology may only worsen the digital divide. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) found that AI's increasing prevalence differs from the same levels of understanding and awareness, particularly in underrepresented groups. According to UNESCO, the "AI divide" is already displaying inequities in the workforce, primarily between women and men; women are more likely to be exposed to AI-related job changes yet face a significant skills gap compared to men.

"President Trump is weakening our AI workforce through his cancellation of nearly three billion dollars in Digital Equity grants," said Rep. Matsui. "Congress established these grants with bipartisan support to provide communities with the digital literacy skills, training, and technology to reap the full benefits of online access."

Rep. Pallone reminded the subcommittee that the Digital Equity Act could have boosted the workforce development and digital skills capacity that are both much-needed in the evolving AI workplace and our economy at large.

"This Act funds programs that can help seniors, veterans, the disabled, and others learn the skills needed to fully participate in our digital economy," said Rep. Pallone.

But, What Happens When States' Hands Are Tied on Regulation?

Competition was high on the priority list for Republicans on the subcommittee. Chairman Hudson said that it is critical that the U.S. foster an environment where "AI companies can innovate, compete, and excel on the global stage." The way to do this, he said, is by limiting regulation.

"Just like the light regulatory touch that gave rise to the internet and some of the most successful and cutting-edge companies on the planet, AI must be given the same opportunity to ensure American companies set the standard for the rest of the world," he said.

Chairman Guthrie opined that it was about balance, saying, "It's important that we take a measured approach and strike the right balance between facilitating innovation and providing principled guardrails when needed to address gaps in current law."

Witness Asad Ramzanali, Director of Artificial Intelligence and Technology Policy at Vanderbilt, described the complicated landscape of current U.S. technology policy and the pitfalls that may come without future regulation on AI, or the maintenance of current laws on technology:

The House's budget reconciliation bill––or the "One Big Beautiful Bil Act"––includes an up to ten-year ban on state AI regulation. The proposed legislation also includes a moratorium on the enforcement of existing state laws regulating AI models and automated decision systems, as well as future state-driven regulations. With no federal policy framework on AI, state laws are currently the only U.S. regulations for these developing technologies. 

Ramzanali suggested that a "light touch" on AI would leave U.S. consumers open to exploitation by AI platforms and large tech companies that have no federal guardrails within which they can implement evolving technologies. Preventing the states from implementing current or future regulations around AI may only exacerbate the privacy and consumer protection issues that have arisen with AI usage.

Rep Clarke echoed the costs of limiting state regulation and shying away from establishing federal standards around AI.

"This is a giveaway to Big Tech at the expense of Americans' personal freedom, privacy, and safety online," said Rep. Clarke.

Rep. Clarke highlighted New York City's current policies around AI usage in the workforce. In 2023, New York City's Local Law 144––sometimes referred to as the NYC Bias Audit Law––was enacted. The law "prohibits employers and employment agencies from using an automated employment decision tool (AEDT) in New York City unless they ensure a bias audit was done and provide required notices."

Specifically, the New York City law combats the use of artificial intelligence when making employment decisions, ensuring fairness in the workplace, and setting a citywide precedent for the regulation of AI usage and data collection. According to Rep. Clarke, Local Law 144 is just "one of the hundreds of state and local laws" that would be swept away with a ten-year ban on AI regulation in the states.

Rep. Clarke asked Ramzanali to speak to the real-world harms and consequences of the proposed moratorium on AI regulation. Ramzanali expanded on the employment discrimination that has been seen in current AI systems.

"The kinds of laws that are out there are not just the New York City employment discrimination law, but you also have laws that create transparency so that we can know when there is a problem," he said.

Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) recently discussed further impacts of AI on privacy and safety online. Gov. Hochul indicated that the ten-year ban on AI regulation would jeopardize New York's ban on sexual exploitation of young girls on social media through the use of AI, according to Axios.

Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) said it is the subcommittee's responsibility to adopt a national framework on AI, but that the 10-year moratorium stands in the way of that conversation.

"[It] takes us away from the debate we should be having on that actual framework, and instead we are going to have to fight over this big gift to Big Tech," she said.

Quick Bits

• FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks on His Departure From the Agency
• FCC Commissioner Simington Announces His Departure From the Agency
• President Trump Wants to Keep America Digitally Divided
• How Digital Inclusion Fuels Civic Engagement

Weekend Reads

• On moving fast and breaking things ... again: social media’s lessons for generative AI governance
• Economic Impact of the Imposition of a Universal Service Fund Obligation on Cloud Services in the United States

ICYMI from Benton

• A New BEAD in 180 Days?
• What's Wrong With West Virginia's BEAD Proposal?
• State Plans Show Us the Cost of Eliminating the Digital Equity Act
• Proposed BEAD Changes Could Delay Deployment by Two Years

Upcoming Events

Jun 11––Should Policymakers Regulate Human-AI Relationships? (Information Technology & Innovation Foundation)

Jun 17––How Broadband Could Improve Health Outcomes (Benton Institute for Broadband & Society)

Jun 19––National Juneteenth Digital Opportunity Bible Study (Black Churches 4 Digital Equity Coalition)

Jun 26––June 2025 Open Federal Communications Commission Meeting (Federal Communications Commission)

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

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