Aspen Institute

In the age of technological innovation, people of color find themselves embattled with upholding the same fight for equal rights. This time, the fight is online and offline. One such area is algorithmic bias. Algorithms are quantitative data, a process or set of rules involving mathematical calculations that produces more data that helps people make decisions. Algorithmic bias (machine learning bias) or AI bias, is a systematic error in the coding, collection, or selection of data that produces unintended or unanticipated discriminatory results.

The 2018 farm bill became the law of the land in December. What’s in the farm bill for the millions of rural Americans who are not involved in agriculture? The first answer is: Lots! The new law updates some of the key statutes governing the activities of USDA Rural Development and makes grants, loans, and loan guarantees available to towns, businesses, and non-profits in rural areas across the country.

Until we see otherwise, we should take the Trump Federal Communications Commission at its word that it’s serious about improving the E-Rate program rather than cutting the number three federal aid to education program (like the Trump budget proposes for number one and number two). But those who propose changes must do what any 10th grader would do: their math homework. So, for this homework assignment, let’s ask four questions.

First, what would be the financial impact on rural schools?
Second, how would per-pupil allocations affect the access of rural schools to fiber?
Third, how would the proposals affect current activities?
Fourth, what kind of fiscal deficit for rural schools might be created by this change?

Reform of the E-Rate program has been a huge success for America’s schools and students. Now the people who voted against it are in charge. I hope they do their math homework while remembering their ABCs: Access Benefits Children.

Since the late-1970s wireless telephone communication has seen a steady progression in speed, bandwidth and services offered to the public. The next generation of wireless innovation, called 5G, promises a significant leap in what it will provide in capacity, speed and performance for wireless networks, massive machine communications and the Internet of Things. Many companies and organizations have already begun to create and test 5G technologies and have made commitments to early deployment. Yet, this shift in technology raises a number of legal and regulatory issues that will have to be resolved, both domestically and internationally, to realize the full potential of this technology.

To address these regulatory (and related) issues, the 2015 Aspen Institute Roundtable on Spectrum Policy (AIRS) met October 26-28, 2015 at the Aspen/Wye River campus on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Leading communications policy experts took a close look at the range of needs that 5G is intended to address, attempting to understand what the technological options are for meeting those needs. Participants then focused on defining the key policy issues raised by the move to 5G and recommended actions to address these concerns. Recommendations include:

1. Improving Spectrum Availability and Efficiency.
2. Accelerating Development and Deployment of 5G Networks.
3. Ways to Promote Wide Adoption of 5G Offerings.