I have been writing about AI, data centers, and quantum for the past year or so. Here's a quick what I see ahead for all three.
AI
AI policy has a bipartisan draft on the table. Reps. Obernolte and Trahan released the Great American AI Act discussion draft in June. It would freeze state laws on how AI systems are built for three years. Developers with over $500 million in revenue would publish risk frameworks, submit to audits every six months, and face penalties up to $1 million per violation per day. AP counts on Wednesday morning showed Democrats ahead in both chambers, which makes preemption without those federal rules unlikely. Any bill still needs 60 Senate votes and a presidential signature.
Data Centers
Data center costs reached campaigns in both parties, as S&P Global reported before Election Day. The Atlantic Council notes that data center grid demand could roughly triple by 2030 and that utilities filed $9.4 billion in rate increase requests in early 2026. A bipartisan Senate permitting bill would cap legal challenges to federal permits at 150 days and require data centers to help pay for transmission. The House Republican Ratepayer Protection Act is voluntary. Expect Democratic committees to push mandatory cost rules and hold hearings on the companies building these facilities.
Quantum
Quantum has the least partisan path. The House Science Committee approved H.R. 8462 on April 29, and Senate Commerce passed its version unanimously. The House bill adds NASA as a partner and expands workforce and supply chain programs. I found no floor vote yet. The lame-duck session could pass it before January 3, or it moves to the new Congress. Funding depends on the budget fight, and Rep. Lofgren has already flagged cuts to science agencies.
The lame-duck session before January 3 gives us the first signal on all three. Watch which bills reach the floor. I’ll be watching and writing more here.
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