

POLITICO Tech
POLITICO
The POLITICO Tech podcast is your download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy. New episodes on Thursdays.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 6, 2023 • 19min
This tech exec has a plan to rein in AI
Mustafa Suleyman, the chief executive of Inflection AI and a co-founder of Google DeepMind, argues there are 10 steps that governments and companies should take to mitigate the most destructive threats posed by artificial intelligence.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 5, 2023 • 16min
The Senate's back — here's what's on its tech agenda
The Senate's tech agenda includes discussions on artificial intelligence, online safety, and TikTok. They aim to address the lag in AI legislation compared to other countries and focus on protecting children's online privacy and safety. Despite pressure for antitrust bills, the Senate plans to prioritize AI and online safety for now.

Aug 25, 2023 • 22min
'I thought somebody had shown me an alien' - Comedy writer Simon Rich warns there’s a secret side of AI
Simon Rich did not believe artificial intelligence could ever take his job as a screenwriter, humorist and novelist. Then, a friend at OpenAI showed him an AI model that stunned him — one that was more creative and more problematic than ChatGPT. On POLITICO Tech, Rich tells Steven Overly why he now feels a need to alert others about the possible future AI will wrought.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 24, 2023 • 20min
California on a collision course over autonomous vehicles
California has become the epicenter of a political fight over the future of self-driving cars. Tensions between labor unions and industry groups over the technology are running high in San Francisco and Sacramento. On POLITICO Tech, Steven Overly talks with California politics reporter Jeremy White about where this tussle is headed and why the state's tech-friendly governor has entered the mix.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 23, 2023 • 18min
Education’s AI future has schools shook
Generative AI programs in schools causing cheating scandals but some educators see potential of AI as a learning tool. Principal's perspective on introducing AI, importance of teacher training and addressing problems and hype. Concerns about surveillance, data ownership, plagiarism, and student privacy. Challenges faced by school leaders and future of AI in education.

4 snips
Aug 22, 2023 • 17min
What Google wants from Washington on AI
Google's Kent Walker discusses the need for transparency and the legal risks of AI in this entertaining podcast. They explore the potential harms to AI innovation in Washington and the importance of finding a balance between innovation and regulation.

4 snips
Aug 21, 2023 • 18min
One tech's bold idea: AI is the new atomic energy. Nationalize it.
Charles Jennings ran software companies for decades. The last one developed AI-powered facial recognition technology. But now he argues the most sophisticated artificial intelligence systems are too powerful to be left in private hands. On today’s POLITICO Tech, Jennings tells Steven Overly why the government should take over.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 18, 2023 • 16min
Meet the anti-hate group agitating Elon Musk and Jim Jordan
The Center for Countering Digital Hate tracks hate speech and harmful content across social media platforms like TikTok and X. And in recent weeks, the tiny organization has drawn heat from Elon Musk and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan for its work. On today’s POLITICO Tech, CEO Imran Ahmed tells Steven Overly how his organization is now responding by “setting a few” fires of its own.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 17, 2023 • 20min
Washington asked for hackers’ help. What happens now?
DC went all out for a major hacking convention this week. On today’s POLITICO Tech, Steven Overly and Mohar Chatterjee discuss the unconventional but necessary alliance between the federal government and the hacking community, and what to expect next.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 16, 2023 • 20min
This Republican fought tech market power and lost. He hasn't given up.
Republican Congressman Ken Buck pushed for legislation to challenge the market dominance of companies like Google and Amazon. Many of those bills fell short. On today's POLITICO Tech, Buck tells Steven Overly how he is “laying the groundwork” for a future fight while shifting focus to more viable issues, including artificial intelligence.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices