The Sunday Show

Last year, Elon Musk's xAI set up its "Colossus" supercomputer in an old Electrolux manufacturing facility in Memphis, Tennessee. Now, the residents of nearby neighborhoods are pushing for facts and fair treatment as the company looks to expand its footprint amid questions about its environmental impact. Justin Hendrix considers the state of play with Dara Kerr, a reporter for The Guardian; Amber Sherman, a Memphis activist; and artifacts from local media reporting over the past year.

Catherine Bracy is a civic technologist and community organizer whose work focuses on the intersection of technology and political and economic inequality. Justin Hendrix spoke with her about her new book, World Eaters: How Venture Capital is Cannibalizing the Economy. In it, she suggests how the venture capital industry must be reformed to deliver true innovation that advances society rather than merely outsized returns for an increasingly monolithic set of investors.

From visions of AI paradise to the project to defeat death, many dangerous and unscientific ideas are driving Silicon Valley leaders. Justin Hendrix spoke to Adam Becker, a science journalist and author of MORE EVERYTHING FOREVER: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley’s Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity, just out from Basic Books.

For a special series of episodes that will air throughout the year, Tech Policy Press fellow Anika Collier Navaroli is hosting a series of discussions intended to help us imagine possible futures—for tech and tech policy, for democracy, and society—beyond the moment we are in. Dubbed Through to Thriving, the first episode in the series features a discussion on how to build community and solidarity with Ellen Pao, currently the co-founder of a nonprofit called Project Include, which focuses on advancing diversity and inclusion in the tech sector. Previously, Pao was the interim CEO of Reddit and a venture capitalist.

Suresh Venkatasubramanian, a data science professor at Brown University, discusses the urgent need for accountability in AI. He joins fellow researchers to defend their important letter advocating against bias and discrimination in artificial intelligence. They emphasize the growing recognition of these issues and the political challenges ahead, particularly in light of recent U.S. executive actions. Venkatasubramanian highlights the collective responsibility of academics in promoting fairness and transparency in AI systems to foster better governance.

William (Bill) Kovacic, a former FTC chair and legal expert, joins Gene Kimmelman, a senior policy fellow, to dissect the FTC's landmark case against Meta. They delve into the lengthy path to trial, contrasting it with the swift resolution of the Microsoft case. The duo explores the complexities of defining competition in the digital age, the pivotal role of witness testimony, and the slim chances of settlement amid lobbying pressures. Their insights reveal critical implications for future antitrust enforcement and tech regulation.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Matteo Fabbri, a PhD candidate at IMT School for Advanced Studies in Italy, shares insights on the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA). He highlights the challenges of transparency in investigations against platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Fabbri discusses the significance of Requests for Information in shaping enforcement strategies, and how they could potentially enhance understanding of platform practices. The dialogue also touches on the tensions between regulatory transparency and the protection of sensitive information.

Join Eryk Salvaggio, a tech policy fellow, Rebecca Williams from the ACLU, Georgetown's Emily Tavoulareas, and Matthew Kirschenbaum from the University of Maryland as they dissect the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its AI initiatives. They discuss the intersection of AI and politics, the risks of data centralization, and the ideological motivations shaping our digital landscape. The group emphasizes the importance of privacy, effective governance, and rethinking efficiency in the age of technology.

Rina Chandran, Deputy Editor of Rest of World, sheds light on the intricate dance between technology and democracy. She discusses the global impact of U.S. tech policies and highlights the rise of tech oligarchies affecting journalism worldwide. Chandran shares insights on how young journalists navigate misinformation and censorship while striving for accountability. The conversation tackles political tactics used to control narratives, illustrating the challenges faced by reporters in both Western and non-Western contexts.

Join Michael Masnick, founder of TechDirt, Vittoria Elliot from Wired, and Emmanuel Maiberg of 404 Media as they explore the vital role of tech journalism in today’s political climate. They discuss how journalists tackle the complexities of technology's impact on democracy and the challenges posed by government surveillance. The trio highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in journalism while addressing the threats to free speech and the need for quality reporting in an era of misinformation.