technology policy

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Overheid zoekt plv Chief Technology Officer met 3 jaar ICT-ervaring - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- The Dutch government posted a job for a Deputy Chief Technology Officer requiring only 3 years of ICT experience and explicitly not needing to be a technical specialist.
- This job requirement contradicts the ambitious Dutch Digitalization Strategy (NDS) which calls for more digital knowledge and active leadership within the government.
- The salary for the position is at scale 14, which is low compared to top tech roles, making it difficult to attract qualified technical talent.
- The author argues that the job should be redefined as a coordinating policy role rather than a CTO, and a new vacancy should be created for a genuine technical leader.
- Public reactions on social media overwhelmingly criticized the job posting, highlighting the absurdity of seeking a chief technology officer with minimal experience.
- The job emphasizes 'bestuurssensitiviteit' (political sensitivity) over technical expertise, which sends a poor signal to the tech labor market.
DOE Launching First Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer Initiative
2 months ago
- The U.S. Department of Energy launched the Quantum Genesis initiative to develop the world's first fault-tolerant quantum computer for research by 2028.
- The initiative is part of the broader Genesis Mission and aligns with President Trump's executive order on quantum innovation.
- Three main priorities: the DOE Q Competition to demonstrate quantum systems with logical qubits by 2028, a National Quantum Supercomputing User Facility for multi-modal quantum access, and focused R&D for quantum applications.
- The effort aims to integrate quantum computing with AI and high-performance computing to strengthen U.S. leadership in science and technology.
- Quantum Genesis builds on previous DOE investments in quantum information science, including the National Quantum Information Science Research Centers.
Datacentres are a ticking time bomb
3 months ago
- Datacentre expansion is driven by AI but brings significant environmental, economic, and social concerns.
- Datacentres consume vast energy and water, potentially slowing renewable transitions and increasing costs.
- Economic benefits are limited as most equipment is imported, creating few jobs post-construction.
- Governments adopt laissez-faire policies, possibly due to FOMO or fear of upsetting tech elites.
- AI offers potential benefits like congestion relief and improved medical diagnostics, but costs must be assessed.
- Cybersecurity risks from AI are growing, with ironic recommendations to use AI for prevention.
- Australia faces a choice between being a 'technology taker' or a creator/exporter of AI technology.
- Waste heat from datacentres exacerbates extreme heat issues in warm climates like Australia.
- Datacentres lack clear public benefit as infrastructure and should undergo cost-benefit analyses.
Warner bill would create federally vetted list for secure, trustworthy AI agents
3 months ago
- Senator Mark Warner proposes the AI AGENT Act to create a federally vetted list of secure and trustworthy AI agent providers.
- The bill would allow users of large online platforms to choose AI agents that comply with FTC security and identity standards.
- AI agents increasingly act on behalf of users, such as shopping or posting content, sometimes without consent.
- The FTC would certify bodies to vet AI vendors, ensuring privacy, data security, and user interest protections.
- Providers must link AI agents to human operator identities and include user controls to grant or revoke permissions.
- The bill aims to build a federal framework for innovation and consumer protection in agentic AI.
- AI agents can be unreliable, making absurd purchases or leaking data, highlighting the need for regulation.
- Export controls have been imposed on certain AI models, and there is ongoing negotiation for government oversight.

technology policy

Overheid zoekt plv Chief Technology Officer met 3 jaar ICT-ervaring - Bert Hubert's writings

DOE Launching First Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer Initiative

Datacentres are a ticking time bomb

Warner bill would create federally vetted list for secure, trustworthy AI agents