U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, convened a hearing on July 30 to examine how artificial intelligence is transforming communications networks and enhancing services across the country. The hearing, titled “Intelligent Networks: Powering Artificial Intelligence and Transforming Communications,” included testimony from Dan Watermeier, Commissioner of the Nebraska Public Service Commission; Jonathan Spalter, President and CEO of USTelecom—The Broadband Association; Bob Everson, Chief Architect at Cisco; and Asad Ramzanali, Director of Artificial Intelligence and Technology Policy at Vanderbilt University.
In her prepared opening remarks, Fischer said: “Good morning to the members of this subcommittee and to our witnesses. Thank you all for being here.” She continued by outlining the focus of the hearing: “This hearing will explore the relationship between telecommunications infrastructure and artificial intelligence. That relationship moves in both directions: AI requires low-latency and high-bandwidth networks. But AI has real potential to make networks more efficient and secure.”
Fischer said that global competition for AI leadership is intensifying among allies and adversaries alike. She stated that to maintain economic and security leadership, “the U.S. needs AI-supportive and AI-enhanced networks.” According to Fischer’s remarks, nearly three-quarters of enterprises used AI for at least one business function in 2024, while more than half of Americans reported using generative AI in 2025.
The senator noted that these trends have led to increased demand across communications networks as organizations continue scaling their use of artificial intelligence. She said that reliable high-speed infrastructure will be necessary as adoption grows: “As AI use and downstream applications…continue to grow, demand for reliable, high-speed, high-capacity networks will also grow.”
Fischer also addressed government efforts supporting network deployment through federal broadband programs alongside private investment by companies in recent years. She raised concerns about regulatory obstacles, stating: “Opaque regulations and lack of coordination should not get in the way of network development…”
She concluded her remarks by emphasizing both geostrategic imperatives for resilient American infrastructure as well as practical needs across rural communities, hospitals using advanced medical technologies remotely, manufacturers relying on connected systems such as robotics or cloud-based processes.
According to the official website of the Senate Commerce Committee—which reviews legislation related to commerce, science, transportation policy during congressional sessions—the committee is directed by a chairman with bipartisan membership housed in Washington D.C.’s Russell Senate Office Building,according to the official website.