Discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) are occurring at all levels of government, including federal, state, and local, as each entity tries to understand, leverage, and protect from AI. In August 2025, Brookings identified the states leading and lagging on AI governance, along with the salience of different issues associated with the technology.
The global market for artificial intelligence (AI) is taking shape at breathtaking speed—and with remarkably few constraints. Vast new data centers are being financed as if they were shopping centers.
A partnership has been announced that has the goal of creating a low-latency private Internet for artificial intelligence (AI) traffic. The three partners involved are Moonshot Energy, a manufacturer of electrical and modular infrastructure for AI data centers, QumulusAI, Inc., a provider of GPU-as-a Service, and Connected Nation Internet Exchange, which has been promoting the creation of more Internet Exchanges.
Broadband news digest for January 28, 2026
Heading into February 2026, the Federal Communications Commission will continue to take actions that advance the interests of consumers and ensure the agency is a good steward of scarce federal dollars. First up, the FCC will vote on proposals aimed at strengthening the integrity of the federal Lifeline program—ensuring Universal Service Fund dollars flow only to living and lawful beneficiaries.
President Trump enacted H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, into law.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the FCC will vote in February on proposals to reform the Lifeline Program, which accounts for nearly $1 billion in spending every year. These proposals are designed to enhance program integrity, prevent fraud, and ensure that federal dollars go only to eligible low-income Americans. The Lifeline program provides a discount on phone and Internet services for qualifying low-income Americans, but in recent years, rampant abuse of the system has been uncovered, necessitating a closer look at the FCC’s rules.
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