Articles about policy

Policy proposals: A list of the tech-related bills in this year’s Washington state legislative session

Another Washington state legislative session is now underway in Olympia. For just 60 days, lawmakers will sift through hundreds of… Read More

Sen. Maria Cantwell and AI2's Chris Emura at Future of AI Forum

Tech policy leaders explore new frontiers for supporting (and regulating) AI at forum

ChatGPT and other next-generation strains of artificial intelligence have revolutionized the tech world over the past year, and policymakers are… Read More

Amazon’s antitrust adversary: What Lina Khan’s Senate hearing reveals about Big Tech’s future

A decades-long policy of lax regulation of the technology industry could be coming to a close — and Lina Khan… Read More

Why Amazon and Jeff Bezos are backing a corporate tax rate hike

Jeff Bezos surprised some Amazon critics and followers this week by throwing his weight behind a federal corporate tax hike… Read More

What Biden’s infrastructure plan means for Washington state’s public broadband crusade

A years-long campaign to turn internet service into a public utility in Washington state could get a big boost from… Read More

Capital gains tax in Washington state: Is it about fairness and funding, or will it drive away startups?

Tech workers, business owners, public policy advocates and private citizens weighed in this week in favor of and against a… Read More

Washington state tech community spars over proposed capital gains tax

Update: The Washington state Senate on Saturday passed SB 5096 by a slim margin, 25-24. The bill now moves to the… Read More

Here’s the first thing President Biden should do to spark entrepreneurship in the U.S.

The most powerful lever President Joe Biden can pull to catalyze entrepreneurship in the U.S. is immigration reform. That’s according… Read More

Will Bezos bounce? Amazon CEO’s departure plan sharpens debate over ‘billionaire tax’ in Wash. state

When Jeff Bezos announced plans to step down as Amazon CEO later this year, critics of a plan to tax… Read More

Washington state lawmakers seek to ban government from using discriminatory AI tech

Washington state could become a national leader in regulating the technologies of the future, thanks in part to a bill… Read More

President Biden doubles down on immigration agenda, but tech priorities take a backseat

President Joe Biden continued unwinding the previous administration’s controversial immigration agenda Tuesday through a series of executive orders. Over the… Read More

Tech workers sound off on Washington state’s proposed ‘billionaire tax’ at first public hearing

Tech workers showed up to a virtual hearing Tuesday to voice their opinion on a proposed tax on Washington state’s… Read More

Why Washington state could finally pass data privacy laws with a bill backed by the tech industry

Washington state will once again try to pass data privacy regulations akin to Europe and California’s laws this year —… Read More

Is the regulatory crusade against Big Tech over? What experts expect under Biden administration

When President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn in Wednesday, they inherited a unique opportunity to rein… Read More

Here’s what tech policy leaders are watching, and expecting, as Biden takes office

When Joe Biden and Kamala Harris take the oath of office on Wednesday, the new president and vice president will… Read More

A new era for data privacy: How California’s law is impacting companies in Seattle and beyond

California’s new data privacy law took effect Jan. 1, marking the first time many American tech companies must provide users… Read More

A Tech Cold War? Microsoft policy leaders predict the future, preparing for a wild decade ahead

It’s only been a few weeks since Microsoft President Brad Smith completed his book tour, in which he reflected on… Read More

Task force urges Washington state leaders to prepare for tech-driven workforce changes

A task force of legislators, and business and labor leaders, is urging Washington state’s government to do more to prepare… Read More

Podcast

Q&A: Jay Carney on the Trump White House, Amazon antitrust scrutiny, and working for Bezos

Managing public relations for the most powerful country in the world, or one of the most powerful companies, is not… Read More

What Obama and Bezos have in common — from the man who’s called both ‘boss’

The list of similarities between Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and President Barack Obama is not long. But the two leaders… Read More

Who’ll serve as AI’s watchdog? Experts trade suggestions at AI2 policy workshop

Do we need a National Algorithm Safety Board? How about licensing the software developers who work on critical artificial intelligence… Read More

At his first meetup, White House science adviser tells scientists: ‘I am one of you’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump’s newly minted science adviser reached out to his peers today at one of the country’s… Read More

Amazon recommends 6 guidelines for facial recognition legislation

Amazon is taking an active role advising lawmakers on legislation that would govern facial recognition technology, like the Seattle tech… Read More

Washington state to roll out broad new paid leave policy: What workers and employers should know

On Jan. 1, Washington state will begin implementing one of the most generous paid family and medical leave programs in… Read More

Amazon’s visas for foreign-born workers surge 78% as H-1B approvals shift from Indian IT firms to US tech companies

Amazon was approved for 2,515 visas for foreign-born workers in fiscal year 2017, outpaced by only one other company in… Read More

Policy experts trade ideas for intelligent ways to regulate artificial intelligence

Regulations for the proper use of artificial intelligence are almost as inevitable as the rise of AI itself — but the… Read More

Is the ‘Amazon effect’ worth it for cities? Researcher calls for more transparency and data about corporate incentives

Government incentives and tax credits face new scrutiny, driven in-part by Amazon’s wishlist as it searches for a city to… Read More

In new book, Microsoft cautions humanity to develop AI ethics guidelines now

It’s 2038 and — like most businesses these days — a tech company is using artificial intelligence to scan job… Read More

Amid outcry, Trump disbands two business councils – but tech is a separate issue

President Donald Trump says he’s disbanding two of his business advisory councils, focusing on manufacturing as well as strategy and… Read More

What Microsoft thinks Washington state lawmakers got right last session — and what they should prioritize now

Microsoft wants the Washington state legislature to prioritize STEM education, criminal justice reform, workplace equity, cloud computing for the public… Read More