TMF funds enhancements in nuclear and AI safety; Federal initiatives strengthen child online protection

The Technology Modernization Fund has allocated $13.8 million to enhance nuclear emergency response capabilities at the Department of Energy and establish safety standards for artificial intelligence at the Department of Commerce. The Energy Department will receive $3.8 million to upgrade its radiological response data portal, aiding the operations of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team. The Commerce Department is granted $10 million to support the growth of its AI Safety Institute at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which was established to evaluate AI risks and formulate safety guidelines.

In other news, the White House announced measures to protect children’s privacy and safety online, including efforts by multiple federal agencies to address image-based sexual abuse and other threats exacerbated by artificial intelligence. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is working on new methods to estimate and verify ages online, and the Department of Education has released guidelines to ensure nondiscriminatory use of AI in educational technologies.

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