Earlier this month, I wrote about Nebraska’s chance to help lead America’s next chapter — from rebuilding our factories, to growing the bioeconomy, to boosting trade, new technology, and financial innovation. These are big picture ideas, but they all come down to one thing: playing to Nebraska’s strengths. That means making our communities places where people want to live and work, attracting a skilled workforce, and making smart investments that keep us competitive.
I’ve been working to bring those opportunities home. This year, I’ve directed millions in federal funding back to Nebraska — for better roads and bridges, stronger public safety, and research to help our farmers and ranchers stay on top.
But there’s one area that deserves more attention: artificial intelligence, or AI.
AI is quickly becoming the engine behind new jobs, stronger businesses, and global competitiveness. And Nebraska has a real chance to be at the forefront.
At the heart of this is connectivity — getting reliable broadband to every corner of our state. Without it, rural America can’t fully benefit from the tools of tomorrow. That’s why I’ve been pushing to expand broadband through infrastructure investments and rural development programs.
For Nebraska, one of AI’s biggest promises lies in agriculture. One in four jobs here is tied to ag, and AI can help us feed the world more efficiently. With precision agriculture, farmers can increase their yields, save water, and reduce input costs. Many producers are already using these tools, but we can expand access. That’s why I reintroduced my Precision Ag Package — to finance new technologies, expand U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, and bring broadband all the way to the last acre.
We’ve already made progress. In 2022, I passed a law that addressed the real challenges farmers face running technology where internet and power aren’t always reliable. This effort was motivated by difficulty that the University of Nebraska experienced in securing federal funding to test more reliable rural and on-field device connectivity in Clay Center. I’m proud that my bill – now law – ensures that federal agencies providing these types of grants assess rural and agricultural areas where there often is unreliable signal connectivity or power. This was a major step in helping rural areas acquire and apply new technologies developed to work in all conditions, not just in big cities.
AI isn’t just for Silicon Valley. It can help Nebraska farms run more efficiently, support our small businesses, strengthen our military, and grow our communities. We already have the foundation — our ag producers, our schools, our strong communities, and our way of life.
If we work together at the federal, state, and local level, Nebraska won’t just use AI. We’ll help shape it.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.