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.

U.S. Energy Secretary has called for expedited grid connections for data centers, highlighting the growing energy demands of AI technologies. Meanwhile, the White House is planning to ease AI regulations, aiming to foster innovation while ensuring safety and compliance.

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.

U.S. Energy Secretary urged faster grid connections for data centers, while the White House plans to ease AI regulations, reflecting a national push towards integrating AI technologies more seamlessly into infrastructure and governance.

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.

In this edition of AI Policy Brief, we delve into the latest developments in AI policy across various sectors. Our stories cover a range of topics from national policy changes to international regulatory proposals. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect:

1. **National Policy**: Discover how the U.S. Energy Secretary is pushing for faster data center grid connections and the White House's plans to ease AI regulations. Learn about California's new law mandating AI disclosure in police reports and Garfield County's approval of an AI use policy for employees. Across the pond, the UK Government has announced a new AI regulation blueprint.

2. **International Policy**: India is taking steps to tackle deepfakes with proposed AI regulations, while China is amending its cybersecurity law to accommodate AI advancements. At TechLaw Fest, CODIT unveiled a new AI policy monitoring service. The EU AI Act is influencing patent strategies, and OpenAI has shared an economic blueprint for AI in South Korea. Vietnam is also planning to establish an AI legal framework by 2025.

3. **Innovation & Investment**: The FCC and NTIA are discussing AI's role in telecom, and OpenAI, along with partners, is investing in the biosecurity startup Valthos. OpenAI is expanding its UK data storage capabilities amid rising demand and has partnered with the UK Government to enhance AI capabilities. Meanwhile, the Bank of England is focusing on AI, DLT, and quantum computing.

4. **Regulatory Actions**: At Sibos 2025, Smartstream discussed AI and compliance, and Aaron Amundson joined Latham & Watkins to focus on AI regulation. Taxbit has appointed a new head for government solutions, and confidence in UK fraud regulation is dropping amid AI threats. The Cloudflare CEO is urging the UK to regulate Google's AI practices, and users have filed FTC complaints against ChatGPT for psychological harm. StarCompliance has partnered with Salus GRC for AI compliance solutions, and U.S. Senators have introduced the AI LEAD Act to address AI liability. California is mandating AI training data disclosure by 2026 and has enacted new AI regulation laws.

5. **Court Cases, Hearings and Lawsuits**: The ACCC is suing Microsoft over AI-linked subscription price hikes, and the CEO of Anthropic has responded to accusations of AI fear-mongering. OpenAI is seeking a memorial attendee list in a ChatGPT lawsuit, and Reddit is suing data scraping companies for alleged data theft.

Stay informed with AI Policy Brief as we continue to bring you the latest updates and insights into the evolving world of AI policy.