Calling All Disruptors: How AI Policy is About to Reshape Telecom in the US

As the hype of AI continues to reach new heights I've started to get extra curious about how AI policy is going to impact the future of cities. The more I learn, the more I can see that the telecom industry is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI-powered cities.

AI has big plans for our cities. From self-driving cars to smart grids, AI is poised to transform the way we live, work and interact. But how does this all tie into the telecom industry? Well, imagine AI as a high-performance car and telecoms are the roads that make it all possible. Without a solid network infrastructure, AI's potential remains untapped.

But the big unknown is how will Uncle Sam play a role in how AI will shape the future of urban life. As your friendly neighborhood urban development policy wonk, I'm here to tell you one thing: the game is about to change. In the U.S., Uncle Sam is waking up to the power of AI, and guess what? Telecom companies are right in the crosshairs. The days of telecom operating in relative regulatory obscurity are over. As governments grapple with the implications of AI, telecom companies find themselves squarely in the policy spotlight. The stakes are high, and the future of the industry hinges on how these companies navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.

At the center of it all will be data privacy dilemmas, infrastructure ownership, and of course a push for AI government innovation funding. Here are 3 key areas for governments like the U.S. to consider in shaping AI policy, especially for the role telecommunications will play in driving innovation and disruption:

• Data dilemmas: privacy vs. progress

• So, how will this impact the telecommunications industry?

• Will telecoms embrace the transparency train?

Let's face it, telecom companies are data czars. They hoard more information about our habits than a nosy neighbor with a telescope. This, of course, is the fuel that fires the AI engine. But here's the rub: governments are getting twitchy about all this personal data sloshing around. Stringent privacy laws are sure to be on the horizon.

Think stricter data collection rules, requiring explicit user consent for every gigabyte. Network slicing and hyper-targeted advertising might become a thing of the past (unless you want a revolution on your hands). But fear not, because with every challenge comes opportunity!

Telecom companies can win big by becoming champions of data transparency. Imagine building trust by giving users clear control over their information. Sounds crazy, right? Not if you want to be the Google of tomorrow.

The Infrastructure Revolution: AI for the Win

Here's the good news: AI can be a telecom's best friend when it comes to network optimization. We're talking about self-healing infrastructure, anticipating bottlenecks before they bring your weekend Netflix binge to a screeching halt.

Speaking of infrastructure, get ready for the "sharing economy" to hit the telecom world. Governments might nudge (or maybe shove) companies towards sharing infrastructure. This could be a game-changer, reducing costs and fostering innovation – but only if done right. However, we do need to see if telecom's will want to share and how the markets will take to this new sharing economy... will stock investors like it, or not?

But the ultimate question in the innovation playground will be, is government a friend or foe? AI policy can also be a launchpad for innovation. Imagine government funding for research into next-gen technologies like 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT). Policies on this front could propel the US to the forefront of the technological arms race (cue dramatic music), so there is a lot at stake.

But here's the catch: overly restrictive regulations could stifle this progress faster than you can say "dial-up." We need a balance, a delicate dance between protecting citizens and unleashing the power of AI.

... in this game of disruption, the only constant is change. So, adapt, innovate, and disrupt – responsibly, of course.

The Takeaway: Stay Nimble, Telecom Titans

The message is clear: AI policy is coming, and it's going to reshape the telecom landscape. The key for telecommunications companies will be to be proactive, embrace transparency, and leverage AI for network optimization.

Remember, in this game of disruption, the only constant is change. So, adapt, innovate, and disrupt – responsibly, of course.

FDIC Workplace Culture Concerns: Impact on Fair Lending in Cities

You might remember hearing bank commercials say "FDIC insured" at the end of their spiel of why you should bank with them, but if you don't that's ok, the next time you hear a bank commercial you'll probably hear it. To catch you up on what this federal agency does, and why you should care it about it is that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) helps insure our money at banks and upholds fair lending practices so that loans are race blind. This means more people can borrow which creates critical economic mobility in our cities.

But recently, the FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg has been in the news for workplace culture concerns, making many go hmmm... Various sources like The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and The New York Times have highlighted allegations of a toxic work environment under his leadership. Gruenberg even got a "bipartisan grilling" at the House Financial Services Committee and some members signaled they had lost their confidence in him. With minimal options left, on May 20th Gruenberg announced that he will step down "once a successor is confirmed.”

If you're wondering how this FDIC workplace concern matters to urban planning? It all comes down to ethics and access. A positive workplace culture is essential for the FDIC to effectively carry out its mission rooted in integrity and fairness. Fair lending practices are vital for the future of cities, ensuring people trust they are getting race blind opportunities to loans and fair access to banking options.

Learning AI's Climate Impact

Fun Fact: Microsoft's move to AI has pushed it's CO2 emissions 30% higher than 2020 creating a big wrinkle in its ambitious climate action goals.

We are all learning many things in the AI race, including it's impact on the environment. While this stat may raise some eyebrows we can't let it hold us back. We will keep learning and iterating to bring AI's carbon footprint down.