POLITICO Tech

Lobbying on AI is booming on K Street, with influencers around Washington selling themselves as AI experts who can help companies navigate how Congress and the Biden administration will tackle the hot topic in town. Hailey Fuchs talks with host Steven Overly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.K. tech secretary Michelle Donelan makes a return visit to POLITICO Tech, this time during a U.S. visit that includes stops in Washington, Seattle and San Francisco. She tells host Steven Overly how the U.S. and U.K. will join forces to combat the risks of artificial intelligence, and offers advice for U.S. policymakers on both AI and online safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden is slated to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday in San Francisco. It’s their first face-to-face meeting in a year, and comes amid ever-escalating tensions over tech issues like AI and microchips. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly asks Xiaomeng Lu of the Eurasia Group to outline expectations for the meeting -- and whether major resolutions are likely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Google sued on Monday to stop unidentified scammers from using a fake version of its AI chatbot to spread malware. The company sees the case as an example of how it protects consumers. But the liability that Google will assume? That’s another matter. On POLITICO Tech, Google general counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado joins host Steven Overly to talk about AI and legal responsibility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the hours after Hamas waged its deadly Oct. 7th assault on Israel, the country came under a different type of attack: cyber attacks. On POLITICO Tech, Atlantic Council security research fellow Ruslan Trad explains why the barrage of hackers targeting Israel is different from past conflicts -- and what they seem to really want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arturo Béjar, a whistleblower concerned about Meta's handling of online content aimed at children, discusses his motivations and experiences before Congress. He highlights the need for bipartisan legislation, addresses uncomfortable content challenges, and emphasizes the importance of driving change in companies. He also shares the supportive reactions received for confirming the severity of the situation.

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn discuss the revelations from the Meta whistleblower's testimony, highlighting ignored safety recommendations and harm caused by harmful content. They emphasize the need for accountability and transparency in social media platforms and compare big tech to big tobacco, calling for reform. They address concerns about the impact of the Kids Online Safety Act on LGBTQ youth and explain its purpose. They discuss the bipartisan support for the legislation in safeguarding children without imposing content censorship.

Frances Haugen, a former Meta executive and whistleblower, discusses the concerns about harmful content for children on social media. The chapter also explores access to senior executives at Facebook and the challenges faced by a whistleblower, as well as policy recommendations to address content moderation and harm to children online.

New Orleans lifted a ban on facial recognition technology due to a rise in violent crime. The podcast discusses the data one year later, including the limitations of the technology, racial bias, and the city's efforts to track its usage. It also explores the future of privacy and facial recognition, as well as the shift in attitudes towards legislation and the challenges in regulating law enforcement policies.

The fledgling industry for betting on U.S. election outcomes  — through regulated exchanges, not black markets — has been subject to immense regulatory scrutiny. Now, start-up company Kalshi is suing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for blocking its plan to create one of these political markets. On POLITICO Tech, Kalshi co-founder Tarek Mansour argues these exchanges are not only legal, but good for democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices