AI Week in Review - 7/26/25

The Details

Federal

White House releases AI Action Plan
The Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan outlines a sweeping strategy to secure global AI dominance through deregulation, infrastructure expansion, international tech diplomacy, and AI workforce investment.

Preventing woke AI in the federal gov
A new Executive Order mandates that federal agencies only procure AI models that are ideologically neutral and prioritize factual accuracy over DEI-related considerations.

Promoting the export of the American AI tech stack
A new Executive Order launches a national program to export full-stack American AI systems globally, prioritizing U.S. leadership in AI infrastructure, standards, and geopolitical influence.

Ed issues GenAI guidance on use in schools
The Education Department released new guidance and a proposed funding priority to promote responsible AI use in schools, supporting personalized learning, teacher training, and operational efficiency.

DOE announces site selection for AI data centers on federal lands
The DOE selected four federal sites for AI data centers and energy projects, aiming to cut energy costs, boost grid reliability, and advance U.S. leadership in AI innovation.

NASA uses AI for dynamic targeting
NASA’s new AI-powered Dynamic Targeting enables satellites to autonomously avoid cloud cover and capture clearer, more useful Earth imagery within seconds—boosting efficiency in space-based science.

AI solves big problems with small earthquakes
AI is helping scientists at Yellowstone accurately estimate magnitudes of small, overlapping earthquakes by training machine learning models on seismic data from across the region.

State / Local

Delaware launches AI sandbox
Delaware launched an AI Sandbox initiative to foster responsible innovation across key sectors, positioning the state as a national leader in ethical, high-impact AI development and regulatory modernization.

AI helps Lawrence County deliver transcripts
Lawrence County Court uses AI transcription tools to cut transcript production time in half, improving efficiency while still relying on human expertise for accuracy and certification.

Huntsville turns to AI to track down code violations
Huntsville is piloting AI-powered cameras on garbage trucks to proactively identify code violations and maintenance needs, boosting efficiency without automating enforcement.

AI gives researchers insight into Chesapeake Bay
Using AI and high-resolution imagery, researchers doubled the documented stream miles in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, revealing hidden waterways critical to understanding water flow and pollution sources.

MD store catches thieves with AI
A Maryland store owner is using AI surveillance to detect shoplifting in real time, helping reduce daily losses and improve intervention before thieves leave.

International

China’s overlooked AI strategy
China is leveraging open-source AI models as a soft-power tool to expand global influence, especially in developing nations—challenging U.S. leadership and prompting calls for a more open American strategy.

OpenAI & UK sign deal to use AI in public services
The UK government signed a non-binding deal with OpenAI to explore AI use in public services, sparking both hopes for innovation and concerns over transparency, privacy, and tech sector dominance.

UK health AI makes stuff up
An NHS patient was mistakenly invited to a diabetes screening due to an AI-generated record with false diagnoses, highlighting the urgent need for stricter oversight of AI tools in healthcare.

Everything Else

Will your GenAI strategy shape or derail your future?
A study of 100 generative AI implementations reveals four strategic archetypes—Bold Innovators, Disciplined Integrators, Fast Followers, and Strategic Builders—emphasizing that success hinges on aligning strategy with disciplined execution.

AI Search is growing more quickly than expected
AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are rapidly gaining ground, prompting brands to rethink digital strategies as consumer behavior shifts toward single-answer results over traditional search listings.

Walmart overhauls approach to AI agents
Walmart is consolidating dozens of AI agents into four unified “super agents” to simplify user experience, boost adoption, and streamline operations across customers, employees, engineers, and suppliers.

Musk announces child-friendly Baby Grok
Elon Musk announced plans for “Baby Grok,” a kid-friendly version of his Grok AI chatbot, amid past controversies and growing concerns over Grok’s inappropriate and offensive content.

AI leaves bad guys nowhere to hide
A new AI-powered study combines satellite imagery and radar to detect illegal fishing in protected waters, revealing hidden activity and offering unprecedented transparency to help enforce marine conservation laws.

Delta moves to AI-based pricing
Delta’s AI-powered pricing aims to optimize revenue, but competitive pressure and diversified airline income suggest it may actually help keep economy fares low despite growing consumer concerns.

AI isn’t coming for your job, it’s coming for your whole org chart
As AI reshapes job structures and eliminates entry-level roles, professionals must adapt by mastering AI collaboration, honing uniquely human skills, and positioning themselves at the intersection of tech and creativity.