# The Unsewn Volume > A subsidy that has paid Alaska's rural to urban rate gap since 1997 now shares a Federal Register issue with the FCC's AI questions. Published 2026-08-31 by Alaska AI. 9 slides. Canonical: https://alaskaaihq.com/archive/2026-08-31/ ## The story ONE NOTICE ASKS ABOUT AI. THE OTHER COUNTS ALASKA. SAME DAY. SAME ISSUE. SAME DATES. DIFFERENT DOCKETS. "Would using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to review applications, audits, and appeal review processes help reduce delays while maintaining accurate results?" THE PROGRAM HAS PAID THE RURAL URBAN GAP SINCE 1997. 34 OF 340 THE METHOD SETS THE RATE. THE RATE SETS THE SUBSIDY. NOBODY AT THE FCC DREW THIS LINE. A REVIEWER LEARNS THE ORDINARY CASE. ALASKA IS THE OTHER ONE. FILE A COMMENT BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30TH. ## What we verified - The FCC notice titled Maximizing Efficiencies in Universal Service Administration was published in the Federal Register on August 31st, 2026 at volume 91 pages 55826 to 55835. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The Maximizing Efficiencies in Universal Service Administration notice carries WC Docket No. 26-173 and FCC number 26-52. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC adopted the Maximizing Efficiencies in Universal Service Administration notice on August 6th, 2026 and released it on August 7th, 2026. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC notice titled Promoting Telehealth in Rural America was published in the Federal Register on August 31st, 2026 at volume 91 pages 55816 to 55825. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The Promoting Telehealth in Rural America notice carries WC Docket No. 17-310 and FCC number 26-54. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC adopted the Promoting Telehealth in Rural America notice on August 6th, 2026 and released it on August 7th, 2026. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - Comments on the FCC's universal service administration notice are due on or before September 30th, 2026 and reply comments are due on or before October 30th, 2026. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - Comments on the FCC's rural telehealth notice are due on or before September 30th, 2026 and reply comments are due on or before October 30th, 2026. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC states that in Alaska in funding year 2024 only 32 of 317 approved Telecom Program requests relied on Methods 1 or 2. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC states that in Alaska in funding year 2025 only 34 of 340 approved Telecom Program requests relied on Methods 1 or 2. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC cites Alaska as its example of what it calls a significant decline in Telecom Program applications relying on Methods 1 and 2. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC says its hierarchical approach to rural rates gives priority to Methods 1 and 2 and reflects a preference for commercial rates over the cost studies available under Method 3. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC says the Rural Health Care Program consists of two component programs, the Telecommunications Program and the Healthcare Connect Fund Program. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC says the Telecom Program was established in 1997 and subsidizes the difference between rural and comparable urban rates for eligible telecommunications services used by health care providers. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC asks whether artificial intelligence tools used to review applications, audits and appeal review processes would help reduce delays while maintaining accurate results. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC asks whether the fund administrator should expand its use of artificial intelligence in document review for audits and program compliance. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC asks whether there are operational inefficiencies that could be improved using artificial intelligence. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC asks what the financial impact of incorporating artificial intelligence into the administration of the Universal Service Fund would be. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC asks what safeguards would need to be put in place to ensure data integrity, governance and quality assurance if artificial intelligence is incorporated. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC asks how privacy and information security concerns should be balanced against the potential benefits of using artificial intelligence in its universal service programs. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - Every mention of artificial intelligence in the FCC's universal service administration notice is phrased as a question, so the FCC is asking about AI rather than proposing it. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC did not name Alaska anywhere in the universal service administration notice that raises the artificial intelligence questions. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC did not write artificial intelligence or AI anywhere in the rural telehealth notice that names Alaska. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC says the Universal Service Administrative Company administers the Universal Service Fund and that the Commission oversees those processes. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC says the Universal Service Administrative Company's total operating expenses in 2025 were 266,603,608 dollars. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC says the Universal Service Administrative Company's operating expenses in 2025 were 3.06 percent of operating expenses plus disbursements. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC seeks comment on reducing the size of the Universal Service Administrative Company Board from 20 members to 13 members. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC says that in 2025 its Bureau issued six orders affirming audit findings by the Universal Service Administrative Company which saved ratepayers over 9 million dollars. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC seeks comment on whether expanding the 30 percent speed restriction may promote expanded use of Method 1 or 2. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - The FCC says that in 2019 it defined similar services to include services with advertised speeds 30 percent above or below the speed of the requested service. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - Neither FCC notice gives Alaska or any other state a separate comment deadline or a separate filing route. [Federal Communications Commission via govinfo.gov](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), primary document, 2026-08-31. - Subtracting the FCC's own figures, 306 of Alaska's 340 approved Telecom Program requests in funding year 2025 did not rely on Methods 1 or 2, which is 90.0 percent. [Alaska.Ai arithmetic on Federal Communications Commission figures](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), report, 2026-08-31. - Subtracting the FCC's own figures, 285 of Alaska's 317 approved Telecom Program requests in funding year 2024 did not rely on Methods 1 or 2, which is about 89.9 percent. [Alaska.Ai arithmetic on Federal Communications Commission figures](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17767.htm), report, 2026-08-31. - Nine separate sentences in the FCC's universal service administration notice name artificial intelligence or AI. [Alaska.Ai count of Federal Communications Commission text](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), report, 2026-08-31. - One paragraph of the FCC's universal service administration notice poses eight consecutive questions about artificial intelligence. [Alaska.Ai count of Federal Communications Commission text](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-31/html/2026-17761.htm), report, 2026-08-31. Slides and the deck PDF are linked from the canonical page.