The U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council has conducted its sixth ministerial meeting and set new goals to advance their collaboration in key technology areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum, 6G wireless networks and semiconductors.

The U.S. and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to a risk-based approach to advancing AI risk management standards and ensuring the safe, secure and trustworthy development and use of AI technologies, the White House said Friday.

During the meeting, the council announced a new Quantum Task Force to address barriers to research and development cooperation between the EU and the U.S. on quantum technologies by establishing a shared understanding of technology readiness levels, developing unified benchmarks, identifying quantum technology components and advancing international standards.

The U.S. and EU also seek to develop a common vision for 6G, cooperate in the global standardization process and develop an outreach plan to advance the development of the next-generation communication networks.

For the semiconductor sector, the council aims to pursue research cooperation opportunities on alternatives to the use of per- and polyfluorinated substances in chips.

Federal agencies must implement “quickly and consistently” the 2024 revisions that the Office of Management and Budget has made to Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or 2 CFR, in order for recipients to maximize the benefits brought about by the changes, according to OMB Director Shalanda Young.

Agencies must work to ensure that the revisions to the guidance for grants and agreements are put into effect in all federal awards issued on or after Oct. 1, with the changes reflected on relevant program documents like award terms and conditions, notices of funding opportunities and agency policies and procedures, Young said in a memo released Thursday.

Agencies may enforce the changes even in awards that will be issued before Oct. 1 if they so choose.

According to Young, the goals of the revisions are to “improve stewardship of Federal funds, promote equitable access to programs and services, reduce administrative burden for agencies, applicants, and recipients, and facilitate streamlined and effective oversight and implementation of Federal programs.”

The OMB director gave agencies until May 15 to submit a plan on how they intend to implement the 2024 revisions.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., have introduced draft legislation that would establish national data privacy rights and protections for U.S. consumers.

The American Privacy Rights Act aims to give consumers control over their personal data by enabling them to opt out of certain data processing and targeted advertising and enforce stricter protections for sensitive data, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation said Sunday.

The bill would also minimize the data companies collect and use about individuals and require companies to allow users to access, correct, delete and export their personal information.

To protect Americans’ civil rights, the legislation would prohibit discriminatory use of personal data, require annual reviews of algorithms and direct companies to appoint executives responsible for ensuring compliance to consumer data protection regulations.

“This landmark legislation represents the sum of years of good faith efforts in both the House and Senate. It strikes a meaningful balance on issues that are critical to moving comprehensive data privacy legislation through Congress,” Cantwell and Rodgers said in a joint statement.