Bad News For Net Neutrality

Perhaps there will be new ways for the federal government to tackle the issues that net neutrality sought to address – but here’s a reminder of what those issues are.
In what seems to me to be an opinion that’s as politically charged as any I can recall, the U.S Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit threw out the Biden Administration’s attempt to restore network neutrality. Given the upcoming change of administration, and the current balance on the U.S. Supreme Court, it is extremely unlikely that the FCC will choose to appeal this decision one more time in an effort to restore what many—including me—believe a fair and equitable way to treat the internet as it should be treated, i.e. as the utility that it has become.  However, rather than cry over spilled milk, I would suggest that while many argue that regulation stifles innovation, I think that regulation only inspires it, especially since it establishes frameworks that offer unexpected and smaller players to compete with new ideas and implementations. However, in the absence of this sort of innovation-encouraging structure, perhaps there will be new ways for the federal government to tackle the issues that net neutrality sought to address head-on.

Click to read more ...

A Potentially Shifting Regulatory Agenda in 2025

Expect an increased focus on AI and cybersecurity issues, the ability of the FCC to make and enforce policy top the list of likely changes in the new year.
Between the Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright and the presence of a new administration, priorities will shift. But the need for reliable communications, irrespective of underlying technologies, particularly as impacts public safety and security, remains essential.

Click to read more ...

AI Needs to Reduce Errors – Or Everyone Will Pay the Price

As litigators begin to go after AI systems and those that deploy them, every human in the technology-deployment chain must carefully consider how much an AI-sponsored error is worth.
I have yet to meet anyone who enjoys being in direct communication with an AI tool. AI-augmented CX systems may provide some efficiencies, but those efficiencies often translate into high levels of customer dissatisfaction. With this in mind, and studies of various flavors indicating that AI is a low trust technology, it’s important for anyone considering the deployment of highly advanced and seemingly sophisticated AI-based products and services to consider the downside(s). A systematic deep dive in the cost-benefit analysis is a wise idea, particularly given the fact that the AI bar is just revving up.

Click to read more ...

What the EU AI Act Means for the Enterprise, Wherever It’s Located

In the same way entities that access, process, and hold data belonging to individuals or entities are held accountable under GDPR rules, these new EU AI rules will also apply to entities far beyond the boundaries of the EU itself.
Why should you pay attention to the European Union’s groundbreaking and world-leading take on AI regulation? Because enterprise communications are global and what happens in one country may affect an enterprise somewhere else. The information here, I hope, will provide at least some very important direction and general information about the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act. We examined this act in December 2023, but I want to use this post to expand and explain on some key provisions that affect enterprise communications technology professionals.

Click to read more ...

What to Expect With the New Federal Communications Commission

It is not a surprise that President-Elect Donald Trump has chosen current FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr to chair the FCC in his administration. Carr has been a sitting—and vocal--commissioner and is the most senior Republican on the FCC, having served in this capacity since 2017. Should he be confirmed, he will come to the role with many years of experience as an attorney practicing before the FCC, then as an aide to former Commissioner Ajit Pai.  After a six-month as Pai’s aide, Carr was nominated by the former President Trump and approved by the Senate as an FCC Commissioner in 2018.  His nomination was approved for two successive five-year terms in both 2018 and 2023.  Carr certainly knows his way around the agency, for better or worse.

Click to read more ...