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Jess Gonzalez Valenzuela

Jess Gonzalez Valenzuela (they/them and she/her) is an associate in the firm’s San Francisco office and is a member of the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity and Corporate Practice Groups.

Jess helps clients address complex, cutting-edge challenges to manage data privacy and cybersecurity risk, including by providing regulatory compliance advice in connection with specific business practices and assisting in responding to cybersecurity incidents. Jess also maintains an active pro bono practice.

Jess is committed to DEI efforts in the legal profession, is a member of Covington’s LGBTQ+ and Latino Firm Resource Groups, and is working to develop a first generation professionals network and a disability advocacy network at Covington.

This quarterly update highlights key legislative, regulatory, and litigation developments in the first quarter of 2025 related to artificial intelligence (“AI”), connected and automated vehicles (“CAVs”), and cryptocurrencies and blockchain. 

I. Artificial Intelligence

A. Federal Legislative Developments

In the first quarter, members of Congress introduced several AI bills addressing national security, including bills that would encourage the use of AI for border security and drug enforcement purposes.  Other AI legislative proposes focused on workforce skills, international investment in critical industries, U.S. AI supply chain resilience, and AI-enabled fraud.  Notably, members of Congress from both parties advanced legislation to regulate AI deepfakes and codify the National AI Research Resource, as discussed below.

  • CREATE AI Act:  In March, Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Don Beyer (D-VA) re-introduced the Creating Resources for Every American To Experiment with Artificial Intelligence (“CREATE AI”) Act (H.R. 2385), following its introduction and near passage in the Senate last year.  The CREATE AI Act would codify the National AI Research Resource (“NAIRR”), with the goal of advancing AI development and innovation by offering AI computational resources, common datasets and repositories, educational tools and services, and AI testbeds to individuals, private entities, and federal agencies.  The CREATE AI Act builds on the work of the NAIRR Task Force, established by the National AI Initiative Act of 2020, which issued a final report in January 2023 recommending the establishment of NAIRR.

Continue Reading U.S. Tech Legislative & Regulatory Update – First Quarter 2025

This quarterly update highlights key legislative, regulatory, and litigation developments in the third quarter of 2024 related to artificial intelligence (“AI”) and connected and automated vehicles (“CAVs”).  As noted below, some of these developments provide industry with the opportunity for participation and comment.

I.     Artificial Intelligence

Federal Legislative Developments

There continued to be strong bipartisan

Continue Reading U.S. Tech Legislative, Regulatory & Litigation Update – Third Quarter 2024