The Tech Policy Press Podcast

Luca Bertuzzi, a Senior AI Correspondent at MLex specializing in European tech policy, dives into the implications of the EU's new voluntary AI Code. He discusses how this code aims to enhance transparency and mitigate risks for companies under the AI Act. Bertuzzi highlights the concerns from both European and American tech firms regarding the implementation timeline and compliance challenges. He also addresses the political pressures surrounding tech regulation and the potential consequences for non-compliance, underscoring the need for collaboration among stakeholders.

Hayley Tsukayama, associate director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation and former Washington Post reporter, dives into the crucial role of state legislatures in shaping AI policy amidst the federal debate. They discuss the complexities of legislation concerning AI safety, deepfakes, and algorithmic discrimination. Tsukayama highlights the shift towards state-level regulations and the challenges of partisanship. The conversation also touches on consumer protection and the influence of industry lobbying on regulatory oversight, stressing the need for vigilance in these evolving discussions.

Helen Nissenbaum, a philosopher and Cornell Tech professor, dives into the crucial topics of privacy in our digital age. She discusses the theory of contextual integrity, arguing for a societal approach to managing data flow. With the rise of AI and surveillance, she advocates for obfuscation as a vital tool for protecting identities. The conversation touches on evolving privacy norms and the ethical implications of data collection. Nissenbaum emphasizes the need for innovative, collaborative strategies to resist encroaching authoritarianism and secure individual privacy rights.

At Tech Policy Press we’ve been tracking the emerging application of generative AI systems in content moderation. Recently, the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) released a comprehensive report titled Algorithmic Gatekeepers: The Human Rights Impacts of LLM Content Moderation, which looks at the opportunities and challenges of using generative AI in content moderation systems at scale. Justin Hendrix spoke to its primary author, ECNL senior legal manager Marlena Wisniak.

Join Jacob Metcalf, AI expert at Data & Society, Tamara Kneese, a climate tech advocate, Reem Suleiman, privacy advocate from Mozilla, and Kevin De Liban, founder of TechTonic Justice, as they dissect the intersection of technology and democracy. They discuss how tech oligarchs threaten democratic values and citizens’ privacy through surveillance. The impact of data centers on vulnerable communities and the troubling labor ideology in Silicon Valley also take center stage. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the urgent need for accountability and public participation in tech policy.

Join Dr. Timnit Gebru, founder of the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, as she dives into the pressing need for technology that serves elder communities. She shares her compelling vision for an internet that honors their wisdom. The conversation explores the challenges marginalized elders face with tech while advocating for empathy in development. Dr. Gebru also discusses the impact of misinformation on immigrant communities and the importance of collaborative, culturally aware language technologies. It's an inspiring call for inclusive tech design!

Clare Huntington, a law professor at Columbia specializing in family law and AI, joins Meetali Jain, founder of the Tech Justice Law Project focused on kids' rights, and Robert Mahari from Stanford's CodeX Center, who researches law and technology. They discuss alarming lawsuits surrounding harmful AI interactions, especially involving children. The guests delve into the addictive nature of AI companions, emphasizing the disconnect between these technologies and meaningful human relationships, and the urgent need for better regulation and interdisciplinary research in AI.

Kai Zenner, Head of Office and Digital Policy Advisor to German MEP Axel Voss, discusses the complexities of the EU's AI Act and the pressures leading to potential delays. He explores the implications of digital sovereignty, stressing the importance of collaboration among member states. Zenner highlights the challenges of public-private partnerships in tech advancement and the need for a unified strategy to tackle Europe's fragmented regulatory landscape. The conversation also addresses funding hurdles for digital infrastructure amid rising costs.

Dr. Desmond Upton Patton, a distinguished professor at the University of Pennsylvania, dives into the transformative power of joy in his conversation. He highlights how youth harness humor and social media to uplift their communities, particularly in the face of violence. Reflecting on Black Twitter, he shares its nurturing community despite its decline. Patton also discusses crafting a graduate-level course focused on joy and practical strategies like 'joy stacking' that empower students to enhance their well-being while navigating the complexities of online interactions.

Nerima Wako-Ojiwa, director of Siasa Place, and Odanga Madung, a tech and society researcher, discuss the critical intersection of technology, labor rights, and political power in Africa. They delve into the exploitation of content moderators and AI data annotators, emphasizing the urgent need for labor rights advocacy. The duo highlights how governments use platform failures to impose censorship and surveillance. Additionally, they share insights on the potential of youth movements to drive a more just future, battling biases in tech and championing digital rights.