The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the digital transition and the adoption of artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools and Internet of Things (“IoT”) devices in many areas of society. While there has been significant focus on leveraging this technology to fight the pandemic, the technology also will have broader and longer-term benefits. As the New York Times has explained, “social-distancing directives, which are likely to continue in some form after the crisis subsides, could prompt more…

On June 2, 2020, the French Supervisory Authority (“CNIL”) published a paper on algorithmic discrimination prepared by the French independent administrative authority known as “Défenseur des droits”.  The paper is divided into two parts: the first part discusses how algorithms can lead to discriminatory outcomes, and the second part includes recommendations on how to identify and minimize algorithmic biases.  This paper follows from a 2017 paper published by the CNIL on “Ethical Issues of Algorithms…

Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced bipartisan legislation this week to address privacy issues in the COVID-19 era.  The proposal, entitled the “Exposure Notification Privacy Act,” would regulate “automated exposure notification services” developed to respond to COVID-19.  This bipartisan legislation comes on the heels of dueling privacy proposals from both political parties.  We previously analyzed the Republican “COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act” proposal introduced by Senate Commerce Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS)…

In February 2020, the Trump Administration released the American Artificial Intelligence Initiative’s One Year Annual Report, detailing the Administration’s progress since launching its “American Artificial Intelligence Initiative” by signing Executive Order 13859 on February 11, 2019.  The Administration’s Report highlights areas where it identifies progress in advancing the United States’ competitive position in fostering advancement in AI technology, including limiting new regulations, increasing funding and tracking of federal AI research and development, increasing access to…

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is expanding in many industries and could add approximately $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030.  Many organizations, both public and private, have invested substantial resources in AI research and development (R&D).  The United States, the European Union, Canada, China and many other countries have developed, or are developing, a national AI strategy that, in many cases, contemplates significant government investment in AI.  Global investment in AI start‑ups has increased…

Reflecting the heightened interest in 5G and related cybersecurity concerns, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has requested public comment on the implementation of its National Strategy to Secure 5G. Stakeholders with interests in telecommunications infrastructure and security—and any parties interested in 5G generally—currently have the opportunity to provide input on the plan that will carry out the Administration’s 5G strategy. From now until June 18, 2020, the NTIA will accept public comments…

On May 28, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) hosted a meeting of the G7 Science & Technology (S&T) Ministers to collaborate on COVID-19 response and recovery.  The G7 S&T Ministers emerged from the meeting with a declaration, in which they expressed their intent to: Enhance cooperation on shared COVID-19 research priority areas, including public health and clinical studies; Make government-sponsored COVID-19 epidemiological and related research data accessible to the…