Technology

HR 5764, the "AI for Main Street Act," amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide guidance and training to small business concerns on using artificial intelligence. It directly affects small businesses by adding new SBA responsibilities to help them evaluate AI for operations, including best practices, cybersecurity, data protection, regulatory compliance, and customer trust. Key provisions mandate the SBA to offer information, training, and outreach on incorporating AI into business processes, such as planning for unexpected circumstances. The bill does not authorize new funding for these activities. It defines "artificial intelligence" using the existing term from the National AI Initiative Act.

HR 2683, the Remote Access Security Act, amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to regulate how foreign entities remotely access U.S.-controlled technology. It defines "remote access" as foreign persons accessing U.S. items (like sensitive technology) via internet or cloud services from outside the item's physical location. The bill updates existing export control rules to include remote access as a regulated activity, requiring oversight similar to physical exports or in-country transfers. This primarily affects foreign companies, cloud providers, and technology firms handling U.S.-jurisdiction items.

HR 2659 creates a federal task force to address cyber threats from China's state-sponsored actors, specifically targeting groups like Volt Typhoon identified in a 2024 CISA advisory. The task force, led by CISA and FBI directors, coordinates federal agencies responsible for critical infrastructure security to detect and respond to cyberattacks. It must produce annual reports - including classified assessments of infrastructure risks and recommendations - to Congress within 540 days of formation and for five years after. These reports will guide federal efforts to protect critical infrastructure (like energy grids and transportation systems) and inform owners/operators through a public awareness campaign.