U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Cabinet-Level Federal Department
Recent News About U.S. Department of Commerce
-  On November 29, Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), participated in the Senate AI Insight Forum titled "Transparency, Explainability, Intellectual Property and Copyright." He expressed to Senate members the concerns that the broadcast news industry harbors regarding the unchecked advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). 
-  The inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience took place on November 27th, aiming to address potential shortages and bottlenecks in the supply chain that have significantly impacted the US economy during the pandemic. 
-  The Center for Democracy and Technology has joined a coalition that has been addressing concerns about free expression and privacy threats that might come with the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act. 
-  An organization representing major credit card companies issued a strong rebuke of claims made against the industry in a video by the New York Times. 
-  Sam Altman is set to return as OpenAI's CEO after a long weekend of leadership upheaval. The decision follows employee unrest and Microsoft's job offer to Altman. OpenAI announced on Twitter late Friday night the agreement for Altman's return and a new board. 
-  ``` U.S. Secretary of Commerce announced a substantial conclusion of negotiations of the Clean Economy Agreement and the Fair Economy Agreement of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), and signed the Pillar II Supply Chain Agreement on November 16th. This significant move is intended to strengthen economic ties and address shared challenges within the Indo-Pacific region. 
-  As the opportunities and risks surrounding the development of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerate, key global entities from government bodies to industry leaders are converging around the need for a comprehensive international framework for AI governance. This shift is in response to AI's rapid technological advancements in the past year and its growing impact across various sectors. 
-  Google announced its AI Opportunity Agenda, presenting policy recommendations for governments worldwide that they believe ensure the broadest possible distribution of artificial intelligence's advantages. The company's outline aims to serve as a framework for governments worldwide in developing and managing AI technology. 
-  Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) said cryptocurrency is involved in a very small portion of illicit financial activity, and she believes that percentage would decrease further if the crypto industry had regulatory clarity in the U.S. Lummis's statement came after almost 20% of her Congressional colleagues signed onto a letter led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) citing now-debunked reports of Hamas raising tens of millions of dollars in crypto. 
-  In a speech delivered at the 2023 Ohio Bankers League "Main Event" in Columbus, Ohio, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle W. Bowman expressed concerns over regulatory proposals that could impact credit card processing and related industries. 
-  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said in a recent report that the agency is struggling to hire cryptocurrency experts because the candidates would be required to sell any crypto assets they hold. The report, titled The Inspector General’s Statement on the SEC’s Management and Performance Challenges, was published in October and modified on Nov. 2. 
-  President Joe Biden has issued an Executive Order (EO) aimed at ensuring that the United States leads the world in developing and mitigating risks related to artificial intelligence (AI). The EO sets standards for safety and security in AI development, intending to protect consumers' privacy, promote innovation, and advance America's leadership in the field, according to a fact sheet released by the White House. 
-  A new study by economist Stephen Moore this week says that legislation pending in Congress to restrict transaction fees by credit card companies will not necessarily help consumers. 
-  The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported an annual rate of 4.9% in real GDP in the third quarter of 2023, compared to 2.1% in the second quarter. 
-  President Biden has awarded the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to individuals who have made significant contributions in science, technology, and innovation. 
-  President Biden and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo have announced the designation of 31 communities across the United States as Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs (Tech Hubs) through the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. 
-  Google has signed onto the White House's voluntary AI commitments, agreeing to prioritize safety, security, and trust as it develops AI systems. The commitment also means that Google will work to develop AI solutions to tackle challenges like detecting and preventing cancer, mitigating climate change, and guarding against cyber threats. 
-  A fraud attempt that has raised over $130 million dollars since April 2021 has been frozen by the Securities and Exchange Commission. 
-  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a new rule to ban junk fees in all aspects of finance. The rule, announced on Oct. 11th, aims to protect consumers and honest businesses from unexpected and unnecessary fees that can cost them tens of billions of dollars per year. 
-  The Consumer Price Index for September was released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics earlier today. Over the last month, the Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% and prices in September are 3.7% higher than they were this time last year. The inflation rate in the United States has climbed 0.7% since June, but has remained at 3.7% for the months of August and October. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
