The Tech Policy Press Podcast

Ryan Calo, a law professor and information scientist at the University of Washington, explores the intersection of law and technology. He discusses how the Amish approach to technology challenges assumptions about technological inevitability. Calo critiques the current fetishization of innovation, highlighting its hidden failures. He advocates for a proactive legal approach that aligns technology with societal values and outlines a four-step method for legal scholars. With a nod to the importance of technology assessment, he emphasizes the need for balance between innovation and regulation.

Laura Edelson, an assistant professor and cybersecurity advocate, teams up with Arturo Béjar, a former Facebook safety director turned whistleblower, to discuss Instagram's failures in protecting teens. They reveal how many safety tools are easily circumvented and stress that product design flaws contribute significantly to these issues. The duo highlights the inadequacy of adult-to-teen messaging limits and calls for stronger age assurance measures. They emphasize the need for regulators to hold Meta accountable for transparency and verify safety claims.

Mallory Knodel, Executive Director of the Social Web Foundation, and Burcu Kilic, Senior Fellow at CIGI, dive into the decline of the open internet. They trace the erosion back to the 1990s, blaming it on laissez-faire policies that favored Big Tech's consolidation. The conversation highlights the misleading use of 'open' by corporations, the failures of regulations like GDPR, and warns about AI reinforcing centralization. They advocate for stronger antitrust actions and the creation of public digital alternatives to revitalize true openness in technology.

Thomas Hughes, CEO of Appeals Centre Europe, shares insights about the new transparency report revealing that over 75% of moderation decisions were overturned in the first 1,500 disputes. Paddy Leerssen, a postdoctoral researcher, discusses the significance of Article 21, emphasizing its role in making dispute settlements more accessible for users. They explore the challenges of platform compliance, the implications of GDPR on data sharing, and how the system can bolster free speech by correcting unjust content removals.

Join John Wihbey, an associate professor at Northeastern University and author of Governing Babel, as he navigates the complex landscape of platform governance and free expression. He discusses the implications of social media's role in societal crises, especially in light of January 2021 events. Wihbey explores the challenges posed by AI on shared reality and emphasizes the need for structured forums for dialogue and clearer regulations. His insights into global perspectives on free speech and the role of platforms highlight the urgent need for coherent governance.

Maddy Dwyer, a policy analyst at the Center for Democracy & Technology, and Ben Green, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, discuss state-level efficiency initiatives inspired by the federal DOGE. They dive into how AI is intended to identify inefficiencies but raise concerns about transparency, privacy, and potential misuse. Both emphasize the need for a problem-first approach and caution against using AI as an excuse for austerity. The conversation highlights red flags in AI implementation and the critical importance of guidelines.

In this engaging discussion, Cristiano Lima-Strong, an associate editor at Tech Policy Press, dives into California's pivotal battle over two significant bills on AI companions. He reveals how consumer advocates and tech industry groups are embroiled in a fierce lobbying war, with hundreds of thousands in play. Lima-Strong breaks down the contrasting approaches of the proposed bills, highlights the imbalance in lobbying resources, and explores California's potential to set national standards, while considering the governor's crucial role in the decision-making process.

Join Alix Dunn, Founder and CEO of The Maybe, Holly Alpine, Co-founder of the Enabled Emissions Campaign, and Tamara Kneese, Director at Data & Society, as they tackle the intersection of technology and climate for Climate Week. They delve into how AI and data centers exacerbate fossil fuel dependency while evaluating the narrative around tech's environmental impact. The conversation highlights the urgent need for accountability from tech firms and offers actionable steps for listeners to engage in the climate tech dialogue.

Lauren Goode, a senior correspondent at Wired, dives deep into the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and how tech platforms are responding. The conversation illuminates the chaos of content moderation in the face of rapidly spreading, graphic videos. Goode discusses the political and financial pressures influencing these platforms as they grapple with misinformation and user-generated content. She also explores the troubling role of AI in amplifying false narratives, questioning the responsibility tech companies have in maintaining accuracy during crises.

In this engaging discussion, Steven Renderos, Executive Director of MediaJustice, and Vivek Bharathan from the No Desert Data Center Coalition, dive into the explosive growth of data centers and the rising community resistance against them. They explore the environmental and social ramifications of these facilities and detail grassroots efforts in Tucson to oppose a controversial project. Their insights reveal the power of local activism, the importance of coalition-building, and the critical need for accountability in the tech industry as communities fight back against corporate dominance.