On February 4, 2025, the Japanese Government announced its intention to position Japan as “the most AI-friendly country in the world”, with a lighter regulatory approach than that of the EU and some other nations. This statement follows: (i) the Japanese government’s recent submission of an AI bill to Japan’s Parliament, and (ii) the Japanese
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Senate Commerce Committee Questions Trump Tech Nominees
On March 12, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced two nominations key to the Trump Administration’s technology policy: Mark Meador as a Commissioner for the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), and Michael Kratsios as Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (“OSTP”). Both nominees previously had their nomination
Finnish Supervisory Authority Investigates Health Data Transfers to China
On March 17, 2025, the Finnish Supervisory Authority (“SA”) announced that it is investigating the transfer of personal data related to human research samples by a Finnish university to a Chinese company for genetic analysis services.
China Releases New Labeling Requirements for AI-Generated Content
On March 14, 2025, the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) released the final Measures for Labeling Artificial Intelligence-Generated Content and the mandatory national standard GB 45438-2025 Cybersecurity Technology – Labeling Method for Content Generated by Artificial Intelligence (collectively “Labeling Rules”). The rules will take effect on September 1, 2025.
The Labeling Rules impose explicit and
European Commission Confirms Plans to Simplify GDPR
On March 13, 2025, the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, confirmed that the Commission is considering simplifying the GDPR with a view to reducing the burden on smaller businesses. This statement aligns with the Commission’s broader goal of simplifying the EU digital framework.
February 2025 AI Developments Under the Trump Administration
This is part of an ongoing series of Covington blogs on the AI policies, executive orders, and other actions of the Trump Administration. The first blog summarized key actions taken in the first weeks of the Trump Administration, including the revocation of President Biden’s 2023 Executive Order 14110 on the “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development
Preparing Now for Expected Congressional Oversight: Newly Released Oversight Plans Signal Investigations of Private Parties
Recently, three key investigative committees of the House of Representatives—the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Energy and Commerce Committee—each adopted their respective committee’s oversight plan for the new Congress, offering a window into the committees’ investigative priorities for the next two years. The newly adopted oversight plans provide insights
Flurry of Trump Administration Executive Orders Shakes Up Tech Policy, Creates Industry Opportunities
Since taking office, President Trump has issued dozens of executive orders, many addressing key technology policy areas that include international trade and investment, artificial intelligence (AI), connected vehicles and drones, and trade controls. Some of these executive actions reverse the previous administration’s efforts on these issues—such as the order revoking President Biden’s October 2023 executive
European Commission Publishes Automotive Industrial Action Plan
On March 5, 2025, the European Commission published the Industrial Action Plan for the European Automotive Sector. This plan outlines measures to strengthen the competitiveness of the European automotive industry and to accelerate the transition to zero-emission mobility in the EU. This plan is the result of the “Strategic Dialogue” that has been taking
The Future of the AI Liability Directive
The European Commission first published a proposal for an AI Liability Directive (“AILD”) in September 2022 as part of a broader set of initiatives, including proposals for a new Product Liability Directive (“new PLD”) and the EU AI Act (see our blog posts here, here and here).
The AILD was intended to introduce