White House pushes agencies toward mission-driven U.S. research
A July 21 White House report and FY2028 memo seek more mission-driven research, shared federal infrastructure and faster commercialization, but no funding shift is complete.
Technology
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NSF’s $250 Million Research Restart Moves Into Application Phase
NSF’s restarted SBIR/STTR program is accepting proposals for scientific-instrumentation projects, with the next full-proposal deadline set for November 4.
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Federal labor data shows where AI may grow — and where jobs may shrink
BLS projects 5.2 million more U.S. jobs by 2034, but AI and automation are expected to shift demand toward technical roles and away from routine office work.
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Walmart Plans Permanent Layoffs for 306 Workers Across Eight Sunnyvale Sites
California WARN notices filed June 19 list 306 planned permanent Walmart layoffs in Sunnyvale, scheduled to take effect Aug. 21.
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NASA’s CAPSTONE 02 Will Test Moon-Orbit Navigation
NASA plans to launch two spacecraft in 2027 to test navigation, rendezvous and communications near the Moon for future Artemis and deep-space missions.
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UN AI Dialogue Creates a Global Forum, but No Binding Rules Yet
A UN scientific assessment and Geneva dialogue give governments a shared AI evidence base, but create no treaty, regulator or worldwide rules.
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Proposed DOJ-Willow Bridge Deal Targets Algorithmic Rent Pricing
A proposed DOJ judgment would limit Willow Bridge’s use of competitors’ rental data and pricing software. The deal is not final and will face public comment.
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What FY2025 merger data show about federal technology deal review
A new DOJ-FTC report shows most notified deals avoid extended review, while large or strategically important technology transactions can still draw remedies.
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Iowa’s state IT outsourcing begins today as about 192 jobs enter transition
Cognizant begins managing Iowa executive-branch IT operations on August 3, while AWS’s larger cloud migration remains ahead and about 192 state layoffs are scheduled.
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UN Opens First Global AI Governance Dialogue in Geneva
The U.N.’s first global AI-governance dialogue created a recurring forum for states and stakeholders, but did not establish binding international AI rules.
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Google Search Remedies Move Into Compliance Phase as Staff Rules Remain Unresolved
A July 22 federal filing shows Google’s search remedies are entering implementation, while parties still negotiate rules protecting and limiting Technical Committee staff.
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EU AI Transparency Rules Take Effect for Chatbots and Deepfakes
New EU rules require notices for direct AI interactions and labels for covered deepfakes, synthetic content and public-interest text without substantive human review.
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Etched Reaches $10.3 Billion Valuation as AI-Chip Rollout Begins
Etched raised $300 million at a $10.3 billion valuation, but the AI-chip startup still must turn early systems and reported demand into repeatable revenue.
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DOJ’s Targeted Merger Reviews Could Matter for AI Deals
A DOJ process change may reduce the initial burden in some merger investigations, but AI and platform deals can still face broad antitrust scrutiny.
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Illinois’ New AI Safety Law Takes Effect: What Residents and Businesses Should Know
Illinois’ new frontier-AI safety law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, but its direct requirements apply mainly to the largest developers of exceptionally powerful models.
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Ada Council Approves MFA for City Email Logins; $3/Email/Month Fee
Ada’s July 6 packet says the council voted to add a second authentication factor to city email sign-ins, with an added $3 per email account per month.
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FTC opens comment period on AI accuracy proposal
United States Evening Federal Agency Decisions – The FTC is seeking comments on a proposed policy statement that says undisclosed output distortion in AI systems could be deceptive under Section 5. ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/07/ftc-seeks-public-comment-policy-statement-addressing-ai-accuracy))
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White House sets October deadline for post-quantum cryptography plans
United States White House and Federal Power Watch – OMB’s June 24 memo gives agencies 120 days to submit PQC migration plans, while 2030, 2031 and 2035 milestones are now on the clock.
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San Diego Unified limits YouTube and gaming on student devices
San Diego CA – San Diego Unified approved new student-device limits that start Aug. 10, including blocking YouTube and gaming on 1:1 devices and removing TK computer carts.
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ATF ends phone-tracking pilot after bipartisan scrutiny
United States National Accountability Fast Follow – ATF ended its Webloc pilot after bipartisan scrutiny over warrantless access to commercial location data.
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Virginia Beach school board tightens Chromebook rules for 2026-27
Virginia Beach VA – The School Board’s June 26 vote set new grade-by-grade Chromebook limits for the 2026-27 school year.
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FTC files proposed Kochava order limiting sale of sensitive location data
United States Technology Privacy and Federal Regulation – The FTC filed a proposed June 26 order in Kochava that would sharply limit sales of sensitive location data, but the case is still pending until a judge signs off.