Energy Secretary Speeds Up AI Grid Connections, Vietnam Plans AI Laws, and FCC Talks Telecom AI - AI Policy Brief #41

Hi there,

Welcome to this week's edition of the AI Policy Brief, your go-to source for the latest developments in AI regulations, safety standards, and compliance requirements worldwide. This week, we're diving into significant policy shifts and regulatory actions that are shaping the AI landscape. In the U.S., the Energy Secretary is pushing for faster grid connections for data centers, while the White House is planning to ease AI regulations. Across the pond, the UK Government has announced a new AI regulation blueprint, aiming to balance innovation with safety.

On the international front, India is proposing regulations to tackle the growing issue of deepfakes, and China is considering amendments to its cybersecurity law to better manage AI technologies. Meanwhile, the EU AI Act is influencing patent strategies across Europe, and Vietnam is planning to establish a comprehensive AI legal framework by 2025. Stay tuned as we explore these stories and more in this edition of the AI Policy Brief.

The U.S. Energy Secretary has directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to speed up data center grid connections to meet AI-driven power demands. Meanwhile, the White House has unveiled an AI action plan to streamline regulations, balancing innovation with national security concerns.

The Indian Government has proposed amendments to the Information Technology Rules to mandate labeling of AI-generated content, aiming to combat deepfakes, with feedback due by November 6, 2025. Meanwhile, the National People's Congress of China is planning amendments to its Cybersecurity Law to enhance AI safety and ethics regulations.

At Sibos 2025, Smartstream's Chief Risk Officer highlighted the role of machine learning in compliance, discussing the impact of regulations like DORA on operational resilience. Meanwhile, Taxbit appointed Colby Mangels as Global Head of Government Solutions to enhance collaboration on digital asset regulation.

Officials from the FCC and NTIA recently discussed the integration of AI in telecom governance, emphasizing its potential to enhance decision-making and infrastructure. Meanwhile, OpenAI and partners have invested $30 million in Valthos, a biosecurity startup focused on AI-driven solutions to detect and counter biological threats.

Microsoft faces legal action from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over alleged misleading practices related to AI-linked subscription price hikes for Microsoft 365. Meanwhile, Reddit has filed a lawsuit against four data scraping companies, accusing them of illegally harvesting data for AI firms.