POLITICO Tech

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

Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) stepped onto the House floor in July and became the first person to address Congress using artificial intelligence. Wexton was diagnosed last year with an aggressive and incurable brain disease called progressive supranuclear palsy that, among other symptoms, has made her natural speaking voice weaker and less clear. So she turned to an AI replica. On POLITICO Tech, Wexton joins host Steven Overly to talk about using an AI-generated voice, and how her experience has shaped her views on tech regulation and accessibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An investment fund for tech startups helping Republicans to win elections has put less money into fewer companies than its Democratic rival. (We talked to them a few episodes back, go give it a listen.) But Eric Wilson, the managing partner at Startup Caucus, contends that doesn’t mean the GOP is behind. On POLITICO Tech, Wilson tells host Steven Overly why Republican campaigns are less reliant on technology than Democrats, at least for now, and how that’s going to change.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the presidential election just two months away, this is prime disinformation season. The period immediately before and after Election Day is when administrators worry most about campaigns to deceive voters. On POLITICO Tech, Darrell West from the Brookings Institution joins host Steven Overly to discuss the new book “Lies That Kill” and how people can protect themselves from online disinformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices