Big Tech news and reports on Federal Newswire

Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, issued a statement today attributable to Carl Holshouser, Executive Vice President, regarding President Biden’s actions to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and noncitizen family members of U.S. citizens.

Meta releases five new FAIR research models including image-to-text generation

For more than a decade, Meta’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) team has focused on advancing the state of the art in AI through open research. As the field rapidly innovates, collaboration with the global AI community is considered increasingly important.

ITIF criticizes Surgeon General's call for mental health warning labels on social media

Following U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy’s call for mental health warning labels for social media, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued a statement from Senior Policy Manager Ashley Johnson.

Rose Feliciano named executive director at TechNet

Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, announced Rose Feliciano as Executive Director for Washington and the Northwest Region. Based in Seattle, Feliciano will oversee TechNet’s state advocacy in Washington state, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, and South Dakota. Her first day with TechNet will be June 24.

Apple expands AI training at Developer Academies globally

Apple has announced a new initiative to train all Apple Developer Academy students and mentors on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and tools. Alumni of the academy will also have access to this training. The curriculum will be provided to thousands of students and alumni across 18 Developer Academies in six countries, aiming to enhance opportunities for developers, designers, and entrepreneurs in the iOS app economy.

Netflix's global strategy boosts popularity of Korean content through innovative dubbing

In an era where great stories can come from anywhere, language should not be a barrier to accessing them. This is the ethos driving Netflix's pioneering efforts in dubbing, which plays a critical role in ensuring its films and series resonate with viewers in their native languages.

ITIF criticizes new Spectrum and National Security Act provisions

Following the release of the latest version of the Spectrum and National Security Act, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued a statement from Joe Kane, Director of Broadband and Spectrum Policy.

NVIDIA announces new microservices for accelerating autonomous machine development

NVIDIA today announced NVIDIA Omniverse Cloud Sensor RTX™, a set of microservices designed to enable physically accurate sensor simulation, aiming to accelerate the development of fully autonomous machines. Sensors, a growing multibillion-dollar industry, are crucial for providing autonomous vehicles, humanoids, industrial manipulators, mobile robots, and smart spaces with the data needed to comprehend the physical world and make informed decisions.

ITI comments on Spectrum and National Security Act

On June 17, 2024, the global tech trade association ITI issued a statement from its President and CEO Jason Oxman regarding U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell’s (D-WA) Spectrum and National Security Act.

Consumer groups criticize Rhode Island privacy bill over pseudonymous data loophole

Consumer Reports, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, and Restore the Fourth have voiced opposition to a new privacy bill in Rhode Island. These groups argue that the proposed legislation, HB 7787/SB 2500, would not significantly protect consumers' personal information or regulate major tech companies like Google and Facebook.

Concerns raised over biometric data security and lack of legal recourse

"Privacy policies are presented as something useful for individuals," said Calli Schroeder, senior counsel and global privacy counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a privacy and civil rights research institution. "Even pretty well-written ones are not ... really there to help the individual. They're there to cover the company's back."

CTA comments on Spectrum and National Security Act draft

The following statement is attributed to Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), regarding the draft Spectrum and National Security Act released by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell:

CDT files amicus brief on Section 230's role in products liability litigation

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has submitted an amicus brief in the case of Doe v. Grinder, currently before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case examines the interplay between Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which offers protections to interactive computer services (ICSs), and product liability claims against these services.

Trustworthy & Responsible AI Network expands into Europe

By Federal Newswire | Jun 16, 2024

AMSTERDAM — June 17, 2024 — On Monday at HLTH Europe, the Trustworthy & Responsible AI Network (TRAIN), a consortium of healthcare leaders, announced its expansion to Europe. The objective is to help organizations in the region operationalize responsible AI through technology-based guardrails. European TRAIN includes Erasmus MC (the Netherlands), HUS Helsinki University Hospital (Finland), Sahlgrenska University Hospital (Sweden), Skåne University Hospital (Sweden), Universita Vita-Salute San Raffaele (Italy), and University Medical Center Utrecht (the Netherlands). Microsoft...

Netflix renews 'The Great Indian Kapil Show' for second season

By Federal Newswire | Jun 16, 2024

Netflix has renewed "The Great Indian Kapil Show" for a second season. Following significant success and audience appreciation, this renewal highlights Netflix's dedication to delivering quality family entertainment. The ongoing season featured a variety of guests, including Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and his family, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Ed Sheeran, and other notable figures from the entertainment industry. The finale is scheduled for June 22.

Bridgerton boosts UK economy by £250 million

By Federal Newswire | Jun 14, 2024

Netflix and Shondaland have announced that the Bridgerton universe has contributed over a quarter of a billion pounds to the UK economy, benefiting nearly 5,000 local businesses over the past five years. To commemorate this milestone and the release of Part 2 of Bridgerton’s third season, Shondaland CEO Shonda Rhimes opened trading at the London Stock Exchange today.

CTA event discusses study on Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act's impact on tech sector

Today, at a National Press Club event, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) representatives discussed a CTA study that examines how the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) affects consumer technology companies importing into the United States and sourcing globally, and what best practices can help the industry.

Élite' season finale to premiere on Netflix on July 26th

Netflix has announced that the season finale of "Élite" will premiere on July 26th. The new eight-episode season promises to be filled with secrets, rivalries, corruption, and excess, maintaining the distinctive style of the series.

Higher Ground extends creative partnership with Netflix

Higher Ground, the media company founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, has extended its creative partnership with Netflix. This multi-year agreement grants Netflix a first look at all Higher Ground's film and television projects.

EFF's Matthew Guariglia named National Governing Institutions Fellow