What policymakers and experts are saying about the future of tech policy at State of the Net 2026
From high-tech advancements to new legislation and agencies, tech policy has dominated headlines in recent years. But when it comes to shaping the future of innovation and tech policy, conversations among stakeholders in both the public and private sectors are the ones that drive real change.
For over 20 years, the State of the Net conference (SOTN), held in Washington, DC, has done just that. Year after year, policymakers, industry experts, civil society and advocates come together at this conference to discuss the tech policy landscape and the path ahead.
This year, panels, keynotes and lightning talks focused on the hottest issue of the day: artificial intelligence (AI). As a conference that has spanned much of the life of the internet, speakers and attendees alike know that the disruption caused by a technology as prolific as AI is expected. The conversations in Washington, DC, have moved past siloing AI into a single session. Every area of tech policy, from freedom of expression and energy infrastructure to cybersecurity and broadband, is taking AI into account.
Online Safety in the New Digital Age
In recent months, policymakers have been laser-focused on the issue of kids’ online safety, particularly on social media platforms. The dozens of bills proposed and discussed in Congress aim to tackle concerns about age-appropriate content, data collection and privacy, AI chatbots and parental rights.
Participants at this year’s SOTN recognized that there will need to be trade-offs when it comes to age verification and online safety laws.
The path forward for age verification is still unknown, so we’ll continue to grapple with big questions around privacy and safety online for the foreseeable future.
AI Governance
AI is quickly becoming ingrained in everyday life, and policymakers at the state and local levels are trying to keep up with its constant expansion.
When AI users receive false or harmful information, difficult questions around liability and responsibility arise. Regulators and industry leaders are working to determine where liability should fall, whether it be with the AI models, the companies that develop them or another player entirely. As a result, policymakers and industry stakeholders are debating the most effective ways to enforce accountability.
Data privacy is another major AI-related concern. In the absence of a federal data privacy law, companies have to navigate a patchwork of state privacy laws, several of which were enacted before the AI era. As new AI regulations emerge, there is increasing agreement that privacy frameworks should shift toward stronger data governance, rather than solely focusing on how companies are collecting information.
The Changing Cybersecurity Policy Landscape
In the fast-paced world of tech policy and innovation, cybersecurity issues can sometimes get lost in the headlines. Yet, cybersecurity is vital in advancing and protecting our digital world.
This year, cyber policy experts at SOTN were talking about the renewal of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, or CISA (not to be confused with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency). The law was designed to promote better information sharing between the private and public sectors to improve reporting and prevent cyber threats. Although Congress has extended its reauthorization through September 2026, tensions remain over the legislation's scope and language, creating friction in cybersecurity efforts.
At the same time, policymakers are focused on the newest wave of cyber threats and how AI plays a dual role in cybersecurity. As one expert at the conference put it, “security is performance.” As policymakers continue to deal with budget constraints, liability concerns and legislative uncertainty, industry experts are calling for a new cybersecurity model that fosters AI innovation and improves models for better protection of our nation’s critical infrastructure.
As AI, and all the areas of technology it touches, evolves, it is clear that regulatory agencies and industry experts remain focused on establishing stronger, more secure networks and comprehensive legislation so everyone can benefit from AI’s promise. But the future of innovation won’t be defined by laws alone; it will be shaped in classrooms, labs and conference rooms by the people who know the technology best.
