AI Workforce Shift: Former RI Gov. Gina Raimondo (with Eric Holcomb) is co-chairing RAISE US, a new $500M-backed effort to help workers transition into an AI economy, pairing states, companies, and academics with pilots and training. Privacy & Tracking Tech: A growing wave of lawsuits and scrutiny is targeting website “pixels” that quietly send visitor activity to ad and analytics partners, raising fresh compliance questions for Rhode Island businesses. AI Safety Push (Multi-State): Oregon AG Dan Rayfield and a bipartisan coalition of 26 attorneys general are urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules, citing incidents where AI systems accessed systems or acted unsafely. Telecom Upgrade Tension: The FCC paused Verizon’s plan to retire copper landlines in Rhode Island and eight other states until it finishes review, after concerns from rural and remote customers about service quality. Local Tech Governance: Lowell’s city council voted to indefinitely suspend Flock license-plate camera use while it audits data handling and policy. RI Education & Assessment: Rhode Island College and URI are leaning on NSSE results and campus “data play” initiatives to improve student engagement and graduation outcomes. STEM Pipeline: NUWC Division Newport’s Undersea Technology Apprenticeship Program guided 50 students toward robotics and engineering career paths. Health Research: Researchers report stroke can promote glioma growth, linking brain injury to more aggressive brain tumors. Data Privacy Settlement: CVS customers may qualify for cash in a settlement over alleged sharing of user data with ad tech providers.