Policy Blog Templates (15)

SIIA Applauds New AI Guide from U.S. Department of Education

by Policy

The following statement regarding the release of Designing for Education with Artificial Intelligence: An Essential Guide for Developers, a new resource from the U.S. Department of Education can be attributed to Sara Kloek, Vice President, Education and Children’s Policy, the Software & Information Industry Association.

This guide, issued today, responds to President Biden’s October 2023 Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, which directs the Department to develop resources to support the safe, responsible, and nondiscriminatory uses of AI in education.  SIIA is proud to have played a role in the development of the guide and appreciates the inclusion as a key stakeholder by the Department of Education.

This document emphasizes the unique ecosystem of Ed Tech as one that “encompasses many different people and organizations working together to design and refine new products and services.” We agree with this philosophy. Our members are responsive to their customers’ needs and enter into partnerships rather than having a simple buy/sell relationship. The core message of this document is “Shared Responsibility for Building Trust,” and it highlights SIIA’s Principles for the Future of AI in Education, released last October, as a key resource for developing AI-enabled ed tech products.  We believe the ed tech vendor community is a critical partner for the education system and look forward to working with our partners in this ecosystem to educate our leaders of today and tomorrow.

MYJOURNALCOURIER[1]

In the News: Commentary: Reject Prevail to protect small business — Stephanie Martz and Chris Mohr

by Policy
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) was mentioned in a recent Journal Courier article discussing the challenges posed by bad patents. The article highlighted how poorly worded or overly broad patents can lead to costly litigation for businesses, forcing many to settle rather than face expensive legal battles. SIIA President Chris Mohr, alongside the National Retail Federation, emphasized the importance of inter-partes review, a process created by the America Invents Act to efficiently challenge bad patents. They warned that the proposed Prevail Act threatens this safeguard, advocating instead for strengthening the patent examination process to protect innovation and consumers.
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LAW360[1]

In the News: House Panel Cans Vote On Data Privacy, Kids’ Safety Bills

by Policy
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) was mentioned in a recent article by Law360. A House panel decision to delay voting on crucial data privacy and children’s safety bills has sparked significant attention. The bills, aimed at enhancing protections for consumer data and children online, were set for consideration by the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. However, the hearing was abruptly canceled, raising concerns among stakeholders about the future of these legislative efforts amidst increasing scrutiny over online safety and data privacy issues. Chris Mohr, President of SIIA, expressed disappointment over the postponement, stating, “We are disappointed that the subcommittee did not take up these important bills today. Protecting children online is a critical priority, and we support thoughtful legislation that balances the need for robust consumer protections with the realities of today’s digital economy.” Mohr emphasized SIIA’s commitment to advocating for comprehensive data privacy regulations that strike a balance between protecting consumer interests and fostering innovation within the technology sector. The delay highlights persistent challenges in achieving bipartisan consensus on digital privacy legislation, underscoring the complexities of regulating a rapidly evolving digital landscape while ensuring robust protections for users and industry alike.
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THEVERGE[1]

In the News: A meeting to consider a bipartisan privacy bill just crumbled

by Policy

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) was mentioned in The Verge’s coverage of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s sudden cancellation of a markup session to discuss 11 bills, including the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of tech companies’ data privacy practices.

Following the cancellation, SIIA, along with other industry groups, responded to the revised APRA draft. SIIA President Chris Mohr praised the removal of specific provisions but highlighted ongoing issues with definitions of sensitive data and contextual advertising limits. Mohr emphasized the importance of getting federal privacy legislation right, advocating for responsible regulation to ensure a safe online experience.

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Policy Blog Templates (44)

SIIA Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Content Moderation

by Policy

The following statement can be attributed to Chris Mohr, President, Software & Information Industry Association.

We are gratified that the Supreme Court applied First Amendment protection to a platform’s editorial discretion.  A private entity’s decision of what to publish, and what not to publish is the lynchpin of First Amendment freedoms, and the decisions made by content moderation algorithms have correctly been recognized as speech.  The rampant amount of misinformation and disinformation found online is dangerous and the platforms should have the right to decide what content is appropriate and remove content that they believe is harmful to themselves or the public.  And ultimately, the public will decide whether or not they wish to be part of those communities.  That is exactly the marketplace of ideas that the First Amendment contemplates.