POLITICO Tech

Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic Senator and a prominent advocate against AI dangers, discusses the urgent need for legislation on deepfakes in election campaigns. With elections approaching, she highlights the risks of disinformation and the lack of progress on critical bills. Klobuchar emphasizes the challenges of regulating deepfakes while respecting free speech and urges social media platforms to take greater responsibility. She also touches on bipartisan discussions around antitrust issues in tech, underscoring the necessity for balanced regulations.

Jay Obernolte, a Republican representative from California and co-chair of a bipartisan AI task force, dives deep into the complexities of AI regulation. He discusses the need for a unified federal approach to overcome the challenges posed by fragmented state laws. Obernolte emphasizes government investment in AI to enhance public services, national security, and long-term savings. He also highlights the energy challenges stemming from AI growth, advocating for a diverse energy strategy while addressing the risks of misinformation and discrimination.

Bradley Tusk started his career in government before making big bucks in tech and venture capital. He’s now pouring millions of dollars into building and testing technology that would allow people to cast votes from a smartphone. On POLITICO Tech, Tusk joins host Steven Overly to discuss his new book, “Vote With Your Phone,” and lay out his case for why mobile voting can save democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gary Marcus, a cognitive scientist and tech critic, dives into the deceptive allure of Silicon Valley's promises. He argues that exaggerated tech claims have misled both policymakers and the public. Urging for government intervention, Marcus discusses the necessity of a national AI regulatory agency as election discussions heat up. He emphasizes that AI companies must be held accountable for their societal impact, advocating for ethical practices in technology development and encouraging citizen activism to demand regulation.

Yoshua Bengio, a Canadian computer scientist and one of the 'godfathers' of artificial intelligence, delivers a compelling call to action for California to pass an AI safety bill. He emphasizes the urgent need for regulation to prevent catastrophic risks associated with AI technology. Bengio faces resistance from tech executives prioritizing their financial interests over public safety. He also discusses the broader implications of AI on democracy and national security, pressing for accountability and transparency in the industry.

Students in Florida, Indiana and Ohio returned to the classroom this fall with new restrictions on cellphones. It's part of a crackdown on screen time and social media by school administrators and political leaders who fear the technology is harmful to students' learning and mental health. On POLITICO Tech, Stanford professor and former schoolteacher Antero Garcia joins host Steven Overly to explain why he thinks such bans are bad policy — and bound to fail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former President Donald Trump plans to tap tech billionaire Elon Musk to lead a new government efficiency commission if elected in November. But it’s a post that would raise conflicts of interest with Musk’s day jobs running Tesla, SpaceX and X, formerly known as Twitter. On POLITICO Tech, Danielle Brian from the Project on Government Oversight joins host Steven Overly to discuss the ethical concerns at play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alfred Ng, a POLITICO reporter focused on the intersection of technology and criminal justice, delves into the rising use of AI in police report generation. He uncovers the inconsistency in labeling AI-generated reports and the ethical dilemmas this poses. Ng discusses the implications for accountability and transparency, highlighting skepticism from local officials in Fresno. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear policies to improve public trust in law enforcement's evolving practices.

Russia’s latest effort to meddle in American politics involved a scheme centered on conservative internet influencers in the U.S., the Justice Department revealed recently. It’s yet another sign that the interplay between foreign and domestic disinformation campaigns is as tight as ever. On POLITICO Tech, Bret Schafer from the Alliance for Securing Democracy joins host Steven Overly to break down how that complicates tech companies’ efforts to fight back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The California legislature passed a sweeping AI safety bill over the opposition of tech industry lobbyists. Now, whether it actually becomes law will depend on Gov. Gavin Newsom. And he has until month’s end to sign or veto it. On POLITICO Tech, reporter Jeremy White joins host Steven Overly to explain who has the most influence on Newsom’s decisions and why it could affect AI regulation in Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices