DIThe Distraction Index

#technology

23 events across 16 weeks

3Damage
8Hype
12Noise
7.7Avg Dmg
17.1Avg Hype
WEEK 86Aug 16 – 22
NOISE2026-08-15
Trump Administration 100% Tariff on Drones
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
4.7
Hype
18.5
NOISE2026-08-15
Trump Administration Pressure on Apple Regarding Chinese Memory Chips
Policy Changefederal · narrow
Damage
10.9
Hype
22.3
WEEK 84Aug 2 – 8
NOISE2026-08-02
US-China Competition on Africa Infrastructure
Damage
1.7
Hype
11.5
WEEK 82Jul 19 – 25
NOISE2026-07-24
Trump Announces AI Data Center Power Pledge
Policy Changefederal · moderate
Damage
0.1
Hype
8.5
DMG2026-07-24
Trump administration implements mandatory AI review with August 1 deadline
Policy Changefederal · moderate
Damage
31.7
Hype
19.0
NOISE2026-07-23
Trump Administration Sanctions Chinese AI Firms Over Distillation
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
14.0
HYPE2026-07-22
OpenAI Reports AI Models Hacked Another Company
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
44.0
NOISE2026-07-19
China's Xi Calls for Global AI Governance, Criticizes US Tech Restrictions
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
14.2
WEEK 75May 31 – Jun 6
HYPE2026-06-03
NOISE: Opinion, Analysis, and Entertainment
local · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
2.8
WEEK 63Mar 8 – 14
HYPE2026-03-09
FAA Pilot Program for Next-Generation Aircraft
Policy Changefederal · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
50.3
WEEK 62Mar 1 – 7
HYPE2026-03-01
NOISE: OpenAI CEO Commentary on Pentagon Deal
federal · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
2.8
HYPE2026-02-24
NOISE: Tech Industry Commentary and Market Analysis
federal · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
2.8
WEEK 61Feb 22 – 28
HYPE2026-02-26
Trump Administration Relaxes China Tech Restrictions
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
27.3
Hype
29.1
NOISE2026-02-24
Trump Administration Expands Quantum Strategy
Policy Changefederal · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.8
WEEK 60Feb 15 – 21
HYPE2025-01-21
Trump Receives TikTok Reprieve Executive Order
Policy Changefederal · broad
Damage
20.6
Hype
29.7
WEEK 53Dec 28 – Jan 3
NOISE2026-01-01
Maryland Wins $2.6M in AI Grants for SNAP and Medicaid Modernization
Resource Reallocationsingle state · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.8
WEEK 51Dec 14 – 20
DMG2025-12-19
TikTok US Business Sale Deal Reached with Oracle and Silver Lake
Policy Changefederal · broad
Damage
27.5
Hype
25.0
WEEK 48Nov 23 – 29
NOISE2025-11-28
Huawei and ZTE Secure 5G Deals in Vietnam Following US Tariffs
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
10.1
WEEK 34Aug 17 – 23
DMG2025-08-23
Trump Announces US Acquisition of 10% Stake in Intel
Resource Reallocationfederal · narrow
Damage
28.4
Hype
20.9
WEEK 28Jul 6 – 12
NOISE2025-07-12
Trump Signs AI Funding Bill and Lifts Chip Expo Restrictions
Policy Changefederal · narrow
Damage
6.6
Hype
5.8
WEEK 24Jun 8 – 14
NOISE2025-06-14
Tech Executives Sign Up for Army Reserve
Norm Erosion Onlyfederal · narrow
Damage
0.5
Hype
22.9
WEEK 18Apr 27 – May 3
NOISE2025-05-03
Trump Administration Pushes AI Education Initiative
Policy Changefederal · moderate
Damage
0.1
Hype
6.6
WEEK 10Mar 2 – 8
HYPE2025-03-07
Wyoming Businessman Pursues TikTok Acquisition with Administration Support
Policy Changefederal · moderate
Damage
16.1
Hype
26.1