Explain to Shane

Generative AI poses new challenges for political campaigning and our democracy as we head towards the 2024 presidential election. While this technology could streamline political messaging, there is greater fear that it could enable widespread manipulation and distortion of the democratic process. Heading into a contentious election, how can we assess and mitigate harms from AI-generated disinformation? How will the use of generative AI be different than prior “cheap fake” attempts? How should policymakers prepare for and respond to the use of AI in political advertising?On this episode, Shane is joined by Scott Brennen and Matt Perault, co-authors of “The new political ad machine: Policy frameworks for political ads in an age of AI.” They discuss how generative AI is transforming campaigning and address constituents’ pressing concerns around the technology including AI-manipulation risks, synthetic media transparency, and evolving regulations for political advertising.

Quantum computing has the potential to radically advance ourability to solve complex problems, transforming entire industries from drugdiscovery to cybersecurity. But, how does quantum computing really work? What problems can it helppeople and businesses solve? And how does it play into the US’s larger nationalstrategic goals?Our guest today is deeply entrenched in the development of quantumedge computing, which allows quantum computer deployment closer to where thedata is generated and processed. Quantum edge computing can lead to performanceimprovement, optimization results, and reduce latency in informationprocessing. Alan Baratz is the CEO of D-Wave. Alan has spearheadedbringing quantum optimization solutions into the consumer mainstream, applyingthem to real-world challenges like tsunami relief and carbon emissionreduction. With over 25 years of experience developing leading technologies, heprovides an insider view into the realities and possibilities of quantumcomputing.Tune in as Alan demystifies the complex world of quantumcomputing.

Paperwork and manual forms are still the norm for most industries today, but this outdated process is begging for a digital overhaul. Emerging software solutions can fully digitize documents and forms using advanced source code technology, providing pathways to ease information flows. Can this technology revolutionize the way businesses and governments tackle administrative tasks? How can the digital transformation of traditionally paper-based processes enhance consumers' experiences across industries?Our guest today has paved the way in easing the form process for consumers and businesses alike. Scott Wyatt is the founder of the recently patented Form Engine software, which speeds up the business and government world by digitizing their form and document processes. He has worked on devising technology-based solutions to outdated business models for over 20 years. Tune in as we dive deep on the technologies promising to modernize businesses and governments.

As we adopt technology at every level of our lives, these technological advancements can also open the door to more cyber risks. The increasing sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks are a threat to government agencies, private companies, and individual users alike. Given the interconnectedness of our digital economy, how can public users and companies take steps to protect themselves from cybercriminals? What steps can we take to guard our data from criminals? And can we identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited and defend our digital assets from attacks?Today’s guest has thought deeply about these questions and works to address emerging cyber threats head-on. Today’s guest, Lieutenant General Harry Raduege, is the President and CEO of the National Cybersecurity Center, a nonprofit that works to raise cyber awareness and integrate cybersecurity into every aspect of our interconnected lives. The Center helps serve small and medium businesses, partners with K-12 schools and higher education to create educational programs, and brings together people and organizations to learn about protecting systems and devices from cyber attacks and how to solve cyber-related problems. Before his work at the National Cybersecurity Center, Harry served in the Air Force for over 30 years where he was the Chief Information Officer of the Space Command, Chief Information Officer of NORAD, and Commander of the Joint Rask Force-Global Network Operations. Lieutenant Raduege joins the show with invaluable insights from working in cybersecurity.

Recent developments in transatlantic data sharing agreements serve as a baseline for the importance of cooperation between countries in the digital age. From the new Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework (TDPF) to the cybersecurity proposals before the United Nation, there are both areas of agreement and concern.To walk through some of the recent global protocols, Shane spoke with Sujit Raman about his expertise in data protection, national security, and negotiating legal agreements on behalf of the United States on many of these important policy priorities.Sujit is the Chief Legal Officer of TRM Labs, a leading blockchain and Web 3 analytics company, and a senior fellow in the Tech, Law and Security Program at American University. From 2017-2020 he served as US Associate Deputy Attorney General with responsibility for data protection, emerging technologies, and cyber-related criminal and national security investigations and prosecutions. In this capacity, he represented the United States in high-profile negotiations with the United Kingdom Australia, and the European Union, and co-led the U.S. delegation to the G6 Interior Minister’s conference in Munich in 2019.

The explosion of large language models (LLMs) into the public sphere in 2023 here in Washington has raised many questions on how much artificial intelligence (AI) should be under the direct scrutiny of the government. Should we proceed with as much caution as Europe? Will AI as we know it today become misaligned with our interests? AI should lead us towards the next economic boom, but will the involvement of the government hasten or inhibit that?To sift through some of these deeper policy questions, Shane spoke with Rob Reich about his work in philosophy, politics, and technology.Rob Reich is a Professor of Political Science at Stanford University. He is also the faculty co-director of Stanford's Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS), the faculty director of the McCoy Center for Ethics in Society, and the associate director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI).Rob discusses the merits (and limitations) of the precautionary principle and other points from his book, System Error: Where Big Tech Went Wrong and How We Can Reboot. Shane reiterates how stifling innovation can lead to worse outcomes than expected but that thoughtlessness on AI is a mistake just as well. Tune in as Shane and Rob examine the circuitry of America’s AI moment.

In this live episode of Explain to Shane, Shane wraps up her discussion with AEI Senior Fellow Brent Orrell on generative artificial intelligence tools and automation’s relationship to in-demand skills in the labor market. The two scholars get at the heart of how we should view automation and the imperative that it places on our institutions—and ourselves. The crowd—the 2023 AEI Summer Honors Program student cohort—also has a chance to ask questions since they will soon be embarking on their own career journey.Missed the first part of the conversation? Listen to Part I here!

In this live episode of Explain to Shane, Shane joins AEI Senior Fellow Brent Orrell on the stage to discuss how the latest advancements in automation through large language models (LLMs) are accelerating discussions around what skills are the most valuable in the labor market. The crowd has a vested interest in their insights—the 2023 AEI Summer Honors Program student cohort—but their conversation is enlightening for the broader tech policy crowd too. In Part I of this two-part episode, Shane and Brent unpack recent advancements in LLMs and what these products are good at, and what students should be thinking about in this new automation context.

In this episode of Explain to Shane, Shane walks through Sandboxx, the digital platform designed by veterans and service members to help connect the military community with secure tools. Sandboxx’s co-founder and CEO, Sam Meek explains how this groundbreaking platform, inspired by Sam's experiences in the US Marine Corps, is enabling a support system for the military community that uses today’s technology. The app has emerged as a critical resource for most of the active military and has sent over 8.5 million letters to recruits and deployed service members worldwide. Shane and Sam unpack the intricacies of Sandboxx, a digital communication and training platform with an impressive 4 million users, co-created by Sam and Major General Ray L. Smith. Throughout this conversation, Sam's insightful perspective as a military veteran turned tech innovator displays the immense impact Sandboxx has on the military community and the importance of tailored online resources for our heroes in uniform. Sam helps us to understand the importance of how this app plays a transformative role in the military landscape. It's a tale of technology, dedication, and the unyielding spirit of support for our service members.

The recent neo-Brandeisian tack in antitrust policy has kicked up a lot of dust, obscuring much of the evidence that pokes holes in a more aggressive Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under Lina Khan. Is big really bad, though, when it comes to technology antitrust policy? Join us in this episode of Explain to Shane as we explore this pressing question and more with our guest, Daniel Francis.Daniel is a faculty member at NYU School of Law and a leading legal expert in antitrust policy given his experience as Deputy Director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition. In this thought-provoking conversation, he dives deep into the misconceptions surrounding the current policy landscape, specifically focusing on the AICOA and OAMA bills, and evaluates the recent development of the FTC sending advisors to the European Union.Daniel points out a natural experiment unfolding in Europe, while Shane reminds us of the danger of drawing arbitrary lines in tech legislation. Get ready to expand your understanding of technology antitrust and the challenges that lie ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.