Ask the newsroom: Tech Policy impacts of the 2024 election

Summary

Axios Pro and Quorum have partnered to develop an integrated policy news and software solution for public affairs professionals. The tool combines Axios Pro's policy news with Quorum's software, streamlining access to hyper-relevant industry news and legislative tracking. The discussion highlighted potential tech policy impacts of the 2024 election, focusing on AI, privacy, and content regulation under different presidential and congressional scenarios. It also touched on the future of the CHIPS Act, the digital divide in education, and the likelihood of federal AI and data privacy standards.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Public affairs professionals are seeking efficiency in tracking news and policy, prompting a partnership between Axios and Quorum to develop an integrated policy news and software solution.
• 📰 Axios Pro's content, focusing on policy, healthcare, energy, and tech, will be integrated into Quorum's legislative tracking workflow to enhance public affairs strategies.
• 🔗 The partnership aims to provide a unified platform where professionals can access news, analyze bills, and view policy maker profiles, streamlining the policy analysis process.
• 🚀 The integration is currently available for Quorum Federal and Axios Pro policy customers, offering a comprehensive tool for policy professionals.
• 🗳️ The discussion highlighted potential impacts of the 2024 election on tech policy, with scenarios including a Trump or Harris victory and their respective effects on legislative priorities.
• 🛠️ Under a Trump victory with a divided Congress, expect a deadlock on tech issues like privacy but a focus on grievances about content and alleged bias, and a hands-off approach to AI controls.
• 🌐 With Harris in office and a divided Congress, there could be a push for legislation on non-consensual sexual imagery online and an emphasis on civil rights, privacy, and children's online safety.
• 🏦 The Chips and Science Act is seen as a significant legislative achievement with long-term impacts, despite current challenges in funding allocation and political focus.
• 💼 Opportunities exist to strengthen ties between tech and workforce policies, addressing the need for skilled workers in the tech sector through government, company, and university collaborations.
• 📉 Section 230 is not currently a priority for repeal, with Congress showing little progress towards altering the legislation, despite past discussions and debates.
• 📈 The next Administration is expected to continue prioritizing the establishment of federal AI and data privacy standards, although the actual implementation and regulation may be slow due to competing interests and innovation concerns.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the partnership between Axios and Quorum?

The partnership aims to create an integrated policy news and software solution that combines Axios Pro content and Quorum software tools natively on the Quorum platform.

How does the integrated tool benefit public affairs professionals?

Public affairs professionals can get hyper-relevant industry news from Axios Pro on policy, healthcare, energy, and tech, alongside related Bill text and key policymaker profiles on Quorum, helping them understand the full policy landscape and increase policy wins.

What kind of alerts can users expect from the Quorum software?

Users can get customized alerts from Quorum for mentions of their issue and organization across news and primary sources.

What is the significance of the 'Newsroom Policy Impacts of the 2024 Election' event?

The event is a live conversation and Q&A led by Axios Pro tech policy reporters and a senior policy editor, discussing the potential impacts of the 2024 election on tech policy.

What are the expected outcomes of a Trump or Harris victory on tech policy?

A Trump victory with a divided Congress might lead to a deadlock on tech issues like privacy but with a focus on grievance-based complaints about content. A Harris victory could see a push for civil rights and privacy, especially concerning kids online.

How might a Republican sweep under Trump affect AI controls and international relations?

A Republican sweep could lead to a more hands-off approach on AI controls, a focus on competing with China, and a more isolationist perspective in international relations regarding online freedom and AI principles.

What tech-related legislation is expected to move in the waning days of the current Congress?

Some AI bills related to research bodies and government AI resources allocation are expected to pass, likely in the defense bill.

What is the legacy of the Chips and Science Act, and what could be its next steps?

The legacy of the Chips and Science Act will crystallize in years to come with economic growth and job creation. Next steps might include extending and expanding the tax incentives under the law.

How can the next Administration address the growing need for skilled workers in the tech sector?

The next Administration could focus on funding for workforce training programs, high-skilled immigration policies, and regulatory fixes to improve visa processes for skilled workers.

What is the current status of Section 230 and its prospects under a Trump or Harris presidency?

Congress is not close to repealing Section 230. If Trump wins, he might talk about it more but is unlikely to repeal it. A Harris presidency might not focus as much on Section 230.

What are the prospects for AI legislation with bipartisan potential in the next year?

Bipartisan potential in AI legislation could include issues like deep fakes, protecting creators online, and setting up air rights. The AI task force in the House is expected to release a report outlining top priorities for AI legislation.