Speakers: David Goldstein, NTIA-ITS (Moderator) Michael Ha, FCC Lynna McGrath, NTIA-OSM Session Description: This fireside chat invites NTIA and FCC leaders to examine how emerging technologies—especially AI and ML—are reshaping the traditional regulatory paradigm for spectrum management, including decision-making loops, automation, and interference resolution. The session explores how today’s processes, built for predictable and repeatable software behavior, must evolve to address dynamic, adaptive systems whose updates and decision patterns may be difficult to fully understand. The discussion will highlight real world implications, such as spectrum auctions conducted amid ongoing technological innovation, and the risks of building technical solutions that may later prove incompatible with policy or regularity constraints. ISART 2026 video series: 8 of 19 About ISART The International Symposium on Advanced Radio Technologies (ISART™) is a U.S. government–sponsored conference hosted by the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), the science and engineering laboratory of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a bureau of the Department of Commerce (DOC). ISART is a science and engineering discussion-based conference that brings together government, industry, and academic leaders (both domestic and international) for the purpose of forecasting the development and application of advanced radio technologies. For more information about ISART, please visit https://its.ntia.gov/isart-home.

Massimo Ruzzene, senior vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes, highlighted the strength and resilience of CU Boulder’s research and innovation enterprise, including research funding trends, major discoveries and achievements, innovation and economic impact, strategic investments, and expanding partnerships that position the university for continued success. Learn more: https://www.colorado.edu/researchinnovation/

In March,2026, Innosphere hosted Brock Smith, PhD, Director of Research at the Milken Institute, for a Signature Edition Innovation After Hours that gave our community a data-driven, and at times sobering, look at Colorado's competitive standing as published in the Best Performing Cities Report. The numbers are worth sitting with. In the Milken Institute's 2026 rankings, all five of Colorado's major metros fell: Fort Collins dropped 94 spots, Boulder 91, Greeley 66, Denver 41, and Colorado Springs 13. Four of five metros lost at least 40 positions in a single year. Colorado has real strengths: deep talent, world-class research institutions, and a strong advanced industry base. But strength built over decades isn't a guarantee of what comes next. Short-term job and economic performance are softening, and states like Texas, North Carolina, Washington and Utah are closing the gap fast. Innosphere CEO, Mike Freeman, joined a panel discussion that followed alongside Elyse Blazevich (Colorado BioScience Association), Jessi Olsen (Elevate Quantum), and Parker White (Metro Denver EDC / Colorado Space Coalition), moderated by Rachel Halfaker of the Milken Institute. The conversation reinforced something we live every day at Innosphere: innovation leadership isn't just about having great technology. It's about having an ecosystem that connects talent, capital, commercialization support, shared infrastructure and customers, and that helps companies survive the hardest part of the journey: scaling past early R&D. One theme stuck with us in particular: Colorado's real edge may not be any single sector, but the intersections between them, including quantum, aerospace, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and environmental intelligence. That's where we spend our time at Innosphere and the NSF ASCEND Engine for Colorado and Wyoming, building the connective tissue between institutions instead of letting great work happen in silos. Grateful to Dr. Smith and the Milken Institute team for bringing this data to our community, and to our event sponsor FBT Gibbons and Ryan Tharp.

Rod Goossen, CEO of RoGO Communications, joins Neal on Fire to explain how Drop Block, a rugged, satellite-enabled device paired with the RoGO app, gives wildland firefighters live locations, fire weather, and text messaging in areas with no cell service. Learn how the Yarnell Hill tragedy inspired the technology, why Iridium was chosen over Starlink, how it integrates with incident command platforms, and how it applies to hurricanes, military use, and insurance. Show Notes Episode summary In this episode of Neal on Fire, host Neal Spungen talks with Rod Goossen, CEO of RoGO Communications, about improving first responder communications where cell service doesn’t exist. Rod explains how the Yarnell Hill tragedy led to Drop Block, how the system works, why it uses Iridium, and where it could be used beyond wildfire. About the guest Rod Goossen is the CEO of RoGO Communications. He has a background in avionics engineering and has worked for corporate jet manufacturers. His brother is a 30-year wildland firefighter in Colorado, and their conversations after the 2013 Yarnell Hill tragedy led to the creation of the company. Topics covered * The motivation: the 2013 Yarnell Hill fire, and learning that wildland firefighters still rely heavily on paper maps, compasses, and two-way radios * How most fire incidents lack cell service, leaving crews without a clear picture of where resources and the fire are * What Drop Block is: a small, satellite-enabled device carried by each crew boss, which connects to a phone through the RoGO app * Three core functions: seeing the location of people and equipment, seeing live fire weather, and sending text messages point to point or to a geofenced area * How crews coordinate today, and why locations and tasks are often based on estimates * Safety benefits, including awareness of safety zones and changing fire behavior * Devices for crew bosses, engines, and bulldozer crews rather than every individual * Go-to-market status: hardware and software complete, FCC certification being finalized, and early customers including the Colorado River Fire Department and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management * Fast deployment: eight AA batteries, about a minute to acquire a satellite, and handoff at incident check-in * Durability: IP67-rated and designed for rough use * Why Iridium: low cost, short burst data, and better penetration of tree canopy than higher-frequency options * Data sent about every 15 minutes, including GPS location and weather readings such as wind speed, wind direction, humidity, and temperatures * Cost: a satellite plan comparable to a monthly cell phone bill, and a projected 17 to 1 return on investment * Insurance applications, including off-grid weather data for risk pricing and reduced liability * All hazards uses: hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, and cellular-denied areas in cities * Supplementing existing radios and platforms such as ATAK and others rather than replacing them * Interest from FEMA, Border Patrol, the National Guard, and special operations communities * The biggest hurdle: education, and getting first responders to try the device Key takeaways 1. Many wildfire incidents have no cell coverage, so crews need an alternative way to share location and weather. 2. Seeing every resource on a map reduces guesswork and supports safety. 3. Low-bandwidth satellite data is enough for location, weather, and short messages. 4. Drop Block is designed to supplement radios and incident management platforms, not replace them. 5. The same capabilities apply to hurricanes, other disasters, and defense uses. 6. Education and hands-on trials are key to adoption. Resources ⁠https://rogocom.com/

For 50 years, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) has helped people understand the world’s snow and ice — and why it matters. NSIDC is an integral part of CIRES at CU Boulder. From early satellite records to today’s advanced data systems, NSIDC provides reliable information that supports science, strengthens decision-making, and helps communities respond to a changing environment. Video produced by Lauren Lipuma at CIRES.

This one-hour informational webinar about the CIRES Visiting Fellow Program answers: What is the program? How do I apply? What do I need to include in my application? How do I identify a sponsor? And more!! This event is led by Becca Edwards, Director of Access and Cultural Innovation at CIRES. Learn more about the CIRES Visiting Fellows Program here: https://cires.colorado.edu/award-programs/visiting-fellows-program

NSF NCAR advances Earth system science research by building shared artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities with and for the community. Our goal is to help researchers learn more from data, deepen their understanding of the Earth-Sun system, and support work with broad public relevance.