CISA Layoffs, AI Chatbots in Government, and Utah's Age Verification Law: Tech Policy Updates

Mar 12, 2025

16:15

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Former Trump administration cybersecurity official Sean Planky has been nominated to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). His nomination comes amid significant layoffs at the agency, where over 100 employees were let go, including key members of the Red Team responsible for simulating cyberattacks. These cuts raise concerns about CISA's ability to maintain cybersecurity amid ongoing federal budget constraints, potentially leading to increased threats in the private sector as federal infrastructure and intelligence sharing weaken.

In the realm of artificial intelligence, the General Services Administration (GSA) has introduced a custom chatbot named GSAI to automate various government tasks, coinciding with significant job cuts within the agency. While the chatbot aims to enhance efficiency, internal memos have warned employees against inputting sensitive information. This trend reflects a broader movement in the federal government towards tech-driven workforce reductions, raising questions about data privacy and the reliability of AI tools in government operations.

Utah has made headlines by passing legislation requiring App Store operators to verify the ages of users and obtain parental consent for minors downloading apps. This law, aimed at enhancing online safety for children, has garnered support from major tech companies but has also faced criticism regarding potential infringements on privacy rights. The Supreme Court is expected to examine age verification issues, particularly concerning adult content websites, highlighting the ongoing debate over online safety regulations.

The podcast also discusses the competitive landscape of AI, with Google reporting continued growth in search queries despite the rise of ChatGPT. New benchmarks have been developed to measure the honesty of AI models, revealing that larger models do not necessarily correlate with higher honesty rates. As companies like Microsoft and Amazon introduce advanced AI tools, the implications for businesses are significant, emphasizing the need for oversight and governance in AI deployment to mitigate risks associated with inaccuracies and compliance issues.

Three things to know today

00:00 Cybersecurity Jobs Cut, AI Hired, and Kids Get ID’d—Welcome to the Future of Tech Policy

05:45 ChatGPT Isn’t Killing Google Search—And AI Lies More Than You’d Think

08:27 Microsoft and OpenAI: A Rocky Relationship, While AI Prices Tumble

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