PolicyLos Angeles, Calif. · Nov 6
Los Angeles asks for one citywide privacy policy covering AI and license plate readers in every department
AI rules written only for police miss other departments. Set data standards citywide, then check each department's tools.
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 6 to have the Information Technology Agency and other departments recommend a citywide privacy policy for AI, automated license plate readers and other emerging technologies. The recommendations are to cover how data is collected, stored, kept, accessed and shared, plus cybersecurity, prohibited uses, and auditing. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, who wrote the motion, said the technology is spreading beyond police to agencies such as sanitation. The motion does not adopt a policy or restrict any tool, and no deadline was reported.
For your AI programList which departments, not just public safety, run AI or sensor tools and what data each keeps and for how long. Use one set of retention, access and audit rules so a new tool in any department faces the same review.
Summary
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 6 to have the Information Technology Agency and other departments recommend a citywide privacy policy for AI, automated license plate readers and other emerging technologies. The recommendations are to cover how data is collected, stored, kept, accessed and shared, plus cybersecurity, prohibited uses, and auditing. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, who wrote the motion, said the technology is spreading beyond police to agencies such as sanitation. The motion does not adopt a policy or restrict any tool, and no deadline was reported.
Vendor changeNorth Carolina · Nov 6
Update: Google lets schools turn on Search without Gemini, but AI Overviews stay on, and Triangle districts want details
Search without Gemini still includes AI answers. Decide whether AI Overviews fit your student AI policy.
After backlash on Nov. 3, Google said Search, Gemini and Gemini Notebook will be off by default for K-12 students and schools can turn each on separately, so Search no longer requires Gemini. Google says AI Overviews in Search cannot be turned off for students, and it promised more specifics in the coming months before the changes roll out. Wake County, Durham and Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools said they are waiting for details and see no changes for now. Wake and Durham limit Gemini to students 13 and older.
For your AI programTreat AI Overviews in Search as a student AI feature in your policy and parent notices, even if Gemini stays off. Ask Google, in writing, what students will see and when the new defaults apply to your domain.
Summary
After backlash on Nov. 3, Google said Search, Gemini and Gemini Notebook will be off by default for K-12 students and schools can turn each on separately, so Search no longer requires Gemini. Google says AI Overviews in Search cannot be turned off for students, and it promised more specifics in the coming months before the changes roll out. Wake County, Durham and Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools said they are waiting for details and see no changes for now. Wake and Durham limit Gemini to students 13 and older.
Federal billCongress · Nov 4
With Democrats taking Congress, Rep. Bonamici seeks bipartisan support for a bill barring use of student data to train AI
Training on student data may soon need a legal answer. Ask ed-tech vendors now whether they train on it.
Education Week reports that Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon hopes to win bipartisan support for an AI bill that would prohibit using student data to train AI models. It would also require risk assessments of AI-powered ed tech and parental notice when children use AI tools, with an option to opt out. Democrats retake Congress in January, and ed tech is seen as one possible area of cooperation. No timeline for the bill was given.
For your AI programAdd a question to vendor reviews and contracts: is student data used to train or improve models, and can the district opt out? Keep a list of AI tools students use so parent notices are ready if notice becomes required.
Summary
Education Week reports that Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon hopes to win bipartisan support for an AI bill that would prohibit using student data to train AI models. It would also require risk assessments of AI-powered ed tech and parental notice when children use AI tools, with an option to opt out. Democrats retake Congress in January, and ed tech is seen as one possible area of cooperation. No timeline for the bill was given.
Federal policyNational · Nov 6
56% of midterm voters called AI and data centers a major factor, and a tech coalition asks Congress for a national AI safety standard
A federal AI framework could reshape state rules. Track which of your state's AI laws a national standard might touch.
An NBC News exit poll found 56% of voters said AI and data centers were a crucial or major factor in their vote for Congress. The Chamber of Progress sent Democratic leaders a Nov. 4 memo with 10 priorities, led by a federal AI transparency and safety standard building on the FRONTIER Act. It says a national framework should harmonize overlapping state requirements while keeping state authority over fraud, discrimination and child protection. Some Democrats have called for a pause on advanced AI development.
For your AI programMap your state's AI laws and agency policies against the areas the coalition says states should keep, such as discrimination and child protection. Those are most likely to survive a federal framework.
Summary
An NBC News exit poll found 56% of voters said AI and data centers were a crucial or major factor in their vote for Congress. The Chamber of Progress sent Democratic leaders a Nov. 4 memo with 10 priorities, led by a federal AI transparency and safety standard building on the FRONTIER Act. It says a national framework should harmonize overlapping state requirements while keeping state authority over fraud, discrimination and child protection. Some Democrats have called for a pause on advanced AI development.
FundingNational · Nov 5
A nonprofit fund puts $11 million into 11 state benefits AI projects, and warns most states aren't ready for AI agents
A governance committee set up once won't cover agents. Review your AI rules before agents touch benefits work.
The Center for Civic Futures awarded $11 million to 11 projects through the Public Benefit Innovation Fund, backed by the Ballmer Group, the Gates Foundation and Arnold Ventures. Winners include states, academia, nonprofits and private partners working on AI for benefits casework, connecting people to services, and modernizing systems. Executive director Cassandra Madison said many states have AI task forces, inventories and committees, but governance can't sit unchanged for years. She said many states are not yet ready for agentic AI.
For your AI programSet a review date for your AI governance charter and add rules for agents: what they may do on their own, which systems they can reach, and who approves their actions. Pilot agents in a closed environment first.
Summary
The Center for Civic Futures awarded $11 million to 11 projects through the Public Benefit Innovation Fund, backed by the Ballmer Group, the Gates Foundation and Arnold Ventures. Winners include states, academia, nonprofits and private partners working on AI for benefits casework, connecting people to services, and modernizing systems. Executive director Cassandra Madison said many states have AI task forces, inventories and committees, but governance can't sit unchanged for years. She said many states are not yet ready for agentic AI.
No other stories in this section today.