Broadband Breakfast on December 10, 2025 - AI and BEAD Non-Deployment

Full Event Video:

News that the White House is preparing an Executive Order that would link BEAD non-deployment funding to the way states regulate artificial intelligence is turning heads. While prompting some criticism, the news may pave the way for non-deployment funds to be spent for broadband projects that may impact AI. Plus, NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth said last week that NTIA is "operating under the assumption that the states will get to use their BEAD savings." Join us for a timely discussion on leveraging this supporting BEAD funds to address an array of critical infrastructure challenges. Panelists will explore the intersection of AI telecommunication and transport needs, and the broadband purpose of broadband deployment – including workforce development, digital literacy training and adoption and energy-related matters.

Should BEAD Non-Deployment Funds Be Linked to AI? How Should Funds Be Spent?

Experts disagreed on conditioning broadband funding on state AI regulations, balancing digital economy goals against legal constraints.

Broadband BreakfastBroadband Breakfast

Panelists

• Nate Leamer, CEO, Fixed Gear Strategies
• Joel Thayer, President, Digital Progress Institute
• Amy Huffman, Policy Director, NDIA
• Mackenzie Arnold, Director of US Policy, LawAI
• Drew Clark (moderator), CEO and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

Nathan Leamer is currently CEO of Fixed Gear Strategies and Executive Director of Build American AI, a new advocacy organization working for the promotion of AI across the US. Previously he worked as Vice President of Public Affairs at Targeted Victory and served as Policy Advisor to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

Joel Thayer is president of the Digital Progress Institute and an attorney based in Washington. Digital Progress Institute is a nonprofit seeking to bridge the policy divide between telecom and tech.

Amy Huffman is a public servant, systems thinker, innovative policy expert and a storyteller with a passion for closing the digital divide and ensuring all Americans can thrive in the 21st century's digital world. She has studied and worked in the digital inclusion field since 2011.

Mackenzie Arnold is Director of US Policy at LawAI, where he provides analysis and advice to ensure that advances in AI benefit the public at large. His research focuses on administrative law, agency decision making, and liability. Prior to joining LawAI, Mackenzie clerked for Judge Joseph A. Greenaway, Jr. of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, worked in public health law at a New York nonprofit, and graduated, cum laude, from Harvard Law School. 

Breakfast Media LLC CEO Drew Clark has led the Broadband Breakfast community since 2008. An early proponent of better broadband, better lives, he initially founded the Broadband Census crowdsourcing tool to collect and verify broadband data left unpublished by the Federal Communications Commission. As CEO and Publisher, Clark presides over the leading media community advocating for higher-capacity internet everywhere through topical, timely and intelligent coverage. Clark also served as head of the Partnership for a Connected Illinois, a state broadband initiative.

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