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Artificial Intelligence

In February, we:

• Joined as a member of the AI Adoption Initiative (AIAI). This global effort, launched in February 2025 alongside the France AI Action Summit, fosters collaboration among experts across sectors to develop national strategies that accelerate AI integration and unlock economic opportunities. Read our announcement here and coverage by Inside AI Policy here. 
• Attended an OECD working group meeting on PETs as part of the Paris AI Summit. The OECD recently published a report, “Enhancing Access to and Sharing Data in the Age of AI,” as part of a broader effort to advance understanding and adoption of PETs, and efforts were discussed at the meeting to expand this work.
• Published an article, “Chief AI officers must be preserved in the Trump administration” in FedScoop. Bethany argues that CAIOs, created by the Biden administration, are essential for government modernization and improving performance and efficiency – a “forward-looking solution that should be preserved and empowered.”
• Published a blog titled “Malicious Cyber Actors are Using AI. Countering Them Requires Bolstering Private Sector AI Leadership and Strengthening Public-Private Collaboration.”
• Submitted a letter of endorsement to the Senate Commerce Committee for Michael Kratsios to be OSTP Director.
• Were featured in multiple press outlets, including an Inside AI Policy article, “Software industry urges states to adopt common AI rules, in absence of federal law.”

Education and Children's Privacy

In February, we:

• Submitted a letter to Senate Commerce opposing the re-introduction of the Keeping Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA) by Senators Cruz, Schatz, Murphy and Brit. KOSMA was advanced by the committee, despite industry opposition. Our letter received coverage in Politico Pro.
• Met with staff for House Energy & Commerce to discuss priorities for kids’ privacy and consumer privacy legislation. We highlighted concerns with KOSA and recommended the Committee use the SIIA Child and Teen Privacy and Safety Principles as a template for a new kids’ privacy and safety bill.
• Released a new case study featuring our member, edWeb.net, that focuses on advancing AI literacy for teachers and admin. Utilizing its online learning platform, edWeb highlights the AI-focused professional development opportunities and resources offered free to educators. 
• Were quoted in two Edweek Market Brief articles, one on how education companies can navigate tariffs, and another on navigating the Trump administration’s changes to education. 

Privacy, Data, and Cybersecurity Policy

In February, we:

• Testified before the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee against Bill 504, the Nebraska Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act. Anton emphasized several constitutional complications with the bill and also noted the bill’s policy shortcomings. At the committee’s request, we shared our Child and Teen Privacy and Safety Principles as an alternative, and recommended that Nebraska incorporate additional protections for kids into its comprehensive state privacy law. Anton’s testimony was covered in Nebraska Public Media and WOWT.
• Submitted comments on the CPPA’s draft regulations on CCPA Updates, Cyber, Risk, ADMT, and Insurance Regulations. Anton also presented oral testimony at the CPPA’s public hearing. SIIA’s comment and testimony focused on the dangers of targeting first party behavioral advertising, overregulating the scope of AI and ADMT within the draft regulations, concerns around wrapping in publicly-available information, and unworkable implementation and cybersecurity provisions.
• Issued a statement on the UK issuing a technical capability notice to Apple under the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 which would essentially require backdoor access to all encrypted communications globally. SIIA was quoted on this in SC Media.
• Issued a statement on X supporting the Chamber of Commerce’s new principles to guide quantum policy and endorsing Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s call for passage of the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, federal R&D investment, and strengthening NIST. 

Competition, Digital Trade, and Innovation Policy

In February, we:

• Authored comments on the Australian Treasury Department’s recently published proposal, “A New Digital Competition Regime.”  This submission provides a detailed analysis of the implications of competition regimes such as the EU’s Digital Markets Act and recommends that Australia refrain from establishing a new competition regime until there is sufficient evidence that the DMA and other new regimes actually achieve their intended objectives. 
• Joined a large number of other trade organizations on a Chamber-led letter that expresses support for the use of the Congressional Review Act to overturn the FTC’s recently promulgated revised HSR pre-merger notification rule.  The updated HSR rule has been criticized for being (largely) unnecessary and overly burdensome for businesses seeking to engage in M&A activity.
• Met with the Europe Office at USTR. As part of his “America First Trade Policy,” President Trump on January 20 issued a Presidential Memorandum to, among others, the United States Trade Representative to “undertake a review of, and identify, any unfair trade practices by other countries and recommend appropriate [remedial actions].”  To that end, USTR has asked SIIA to help identify any unfair trade practices/trade barriers that our members are encountering in Europe, to include regulations (e.g., EUCS, DORA, DMA, DSA, Data Act). 
• Issued a statement on tax priorities for the new Congress and Administration, and received coverage on it in Politico’s Morning Tech.
• Participated in two meetings with a delegation from the European Parliament. Discussion at these meetings focused on tech-oriented regulations in the EU, such as the Digital Markets Act. 
• Posted a comment on a concerning development around unintended consequences from the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Because of the sideloading requirement, Apple has been forced to approve a porn app on iPhones in the EU, despite those types of apps being banned in the App Store.  SIIA’s comment can be found here.
• Published a blog on the Digital Markets Act, where we again warn U.S. policymakers against following the example set by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).  The DMA entered into force in March of last year, and there are already numerous examples of how the regulation has had unintended consequences that have harmed both consumers and business in the EU.

State Policy

In February, we:

• Attended the 2025 NCSL Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Privacy Meeting in Tampa, FL. This was an opportunity to engage directly with key state lawmakers as well as state policy leads from tech companies and associations to discuss the current legislative session. Topics covered included digital privacy for the public sector, AI transparency and trust, and AI’s role in the future. The meeting includes updates from the National Association of Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) and roundtable discussions about cybersecurity, privacy, and AI.
• Submitted a letter to the Multistate AI Policymaker Working Group reiterating key themes from its January 27 testimony and responding to lawmakers’ questions. The letter outlines principles for AI legislation and highlights the unique role of AI in education.
• Submitted a letter on New Mexico HB60, a mostly-Colorado model AI bill, with concerns about the legislation. The bill now heads to the floor for a full House vote.
• Met with Virginia HB 2094 sponsor, Del. Maldonado. The Virginia legislature passed HB2094 with narrow margins in both chambers, and the bill now awaits action from Governor Youngkin.
• Submitted a letter on HB1671, Washington State’s privacy bill, on the treatment of publicly available information.
• Joined a coalition letter to the California Privacy Protection Agency calling proposed regulations an “existential threat to California’s business environment.”
• Submitted letters to both the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee on HB1089 and to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on SB904, companion bills related to data broker registration.

Intellectual Property

In February, we:  

• Co-chaired United for Patent Reform’s (UFPR) in-person membership meeting, which was held at the National Retail Federation. UFPR is an umbrella group of main street businesses that are opposed to the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act, the Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership Act (PREVAIL Act), and the Realizing Engineering, Science, and Technology Opportunities by Restoring Exclusive Patent Rights Act of 2024 (the RESTORE Act).  Attending this meeting were representatives from individual auto manufacturing, retail, and franchise companies as well as their respective associations. The group reached consensus on the need for coordinated, strategic and forceful pushback against these proposals. Senator Tillis has indicated that he intends to reintroduce PERA and address PTAB “reform.” 
• Endorsed Rep. Darrell Issa’s Litigation Transparency Act of 2025, which is designed to reduce litigation by patent trolls. SIIA is featured in Rep. Issa’s press release here.
• Met with staff from Rep. Russel Fry (R-SC) and Rep. Michael Baumgartener (R-WA) to discuss issues around patent reform. At this moment, Chairman Issa is not inclined to take up any of these measures. However, we can expect that the bills’ proponents will seek house cosponsors and if they get enough of them, it could change matters for the Chair.
• Met with staff for Sen. Coons to discuss the NO FAKES Act, which is expected to be reintroduced soon.