federal regulators

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission can single-handedly approve large spaceflight projects, such as satellite constellations, that could fundamentally alter the appearance of the night sky worldwide. Space law experts note that despite public outcry over these ventures, the FCC remains essentially the sole gatekeeper, with very few other agencies or legal mechanisms able to block or even review such projects. Critics argue the approval process gives one regulator outsized influence over a global shared resource.

US Senator Rick Scott of Florida says Congress is not capable of regulating artificial intelligence, arguing lawmakers lack the technical understanding needed to write rules for the fast-moving technology. His comments come as Washington debates how, or whether, to oversee AI development, with Republicans largely resistant to new federal regulation and states pushing their own rules.

President Trump is considering Jay Clayton, currently the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former SEC chairman, to serve as the White House's AI czar, a role overseeing federal artificial intelligence policy. The president is reportedly aiming to fill the position within days as his administration moves to centralise its approach to AI regulation and strategy.

The Environmental Protection Agency says it will reconsider air quality rules at a time when Texas is dealing with sharply elevated diesel prices, which officials are calling a disaster. The move raises questions about whether federal emissions standards could be eased to help lower fuel and transport costs, and it is drawing attention from industry and environmental groups alike.

The US Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into leading artificial intelligence developers, including Anthropic and OpenAI. The regulator is examining the practices of the major AI companies as scrutiny of the fast-growing sector intensifies. Markets and industry watchers are awaiting the outcome of the review.

The US Supreme Court is set to begin its new term with a high-profile environmental case on its docket. The National Constitution Center flagged the case as the term's opening highlight, drawing attention to how the justices may shape federal environmental regulation. Observers are watching closely for the ruling's potential impact on agency authority and environmental policy nationwide.

The Brennan Center for Justice has published guidance on how Congress should investigate the national security risks posed by rogue AI agents, autonomous systems acting beyond their intended limits. The piece argues lawmakers need a structured inquiry into the threat, urging oversight of how these systems could be misused or malfunction. It adds to a growing debate in Washington over regulating advanced AI and assigning federal responsibility for AI safety.

New York has entered a federal court case involving the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration over commercial driver's license rules. The case centers on how licensing standards are enforced, a dispute other states have also joined as federal regulators push stricter requirements for commercial drivers. Further details of New York's filing were not immediately available.

Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission arguing that Trump campaign commercials paid for by the US government violate anti-propaganda laws. The group is calling on regulators to order broadcasters to stop airing the ads, claiming the commercials breach US legal restrictions on government-funded political messaging.

A new arrangement under the Trump administration would place AI safety oversight largely in the hands of the technology industry itself, with leading executives committing to voluntary self-regulation instead of binding federal rules. The Verge reports on how this self-policing framework is structured and what it means for accountability. Critics are likely to question whether companies can be trusted to police their own AI development.

President Trump is defending his administration's light-touch approach to regulating artificial intelligence after members of the AI industry raised alarms about the risks of minimal oversight. The debate highlights growing tension between the White House's deregulatory stance and calls from within the tech sector for clearer federal rules on AI safety.