The Tech Policy Press Podcast

A topic we returned to often in this podcast is the dire need for independent technology researchers to have access to platform data. Without it, we cannot understand the extent of the harms and effects of social media on people and on society, and we cannot understand the limits of those harms. This makes it difficult to respond in acute moments such as elections, and to understand issues such as the relationship between tech platforms and social cohesion, or mental health, or any number of the other issues policymakers care about. In this episode, Justin Hendrix speaks with two people on the front lines of the fight to secure access to data, including advocating for Meta to do better in light of the impending deprecation of CrowdTangle, a tool used by researchers study Meta's products, including Facebook and Instagram. They are:Brandi Guerkink, the executive director of the Coalition for Independent Technology Research, andClaire Pershan, EU advocacy lead at the Mozilla Foundation.

Madhumita Murgia, AI editor at the Financial Times, discusses the impact of AI in reshaping society, the role of the first AI editor at FT, AI in healthcare, challenges faced by data laborers in Kenya, and reflections on technology ethics at the Vatican Summit.

Dr. Arati Prabhakar, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, discusses legislative efforts and aspirations for AI, balancing innovation with values in tech, impact of AI on labor, challenges for AI standards and talent in government, and reflections on tech policy and human choices.

Elise Silva and John Wihbey discuss AI's impact on democracy, including the rise of AI-powered search engines and epistemic risks. They explore bias in AI models, challenges in representation, and the future role of AI agents in society. The podcast highlights concerns over information quality, ethical considerations, and the implications of AI on public knowledge and journalism.

What role did technology play in India's elections, and what impact will the outcome have on tech policy in the country? Joining Justin Hendrix are three experts: Amber Sinha and Vandinika Shukla, both fellows at Tech Policy Press, and Prateek Waghre, the executive director at the Internet Freedom Foundation. Plus, Tech Policy Press program manager Prithvi Iyer sums up the election result.

Researchers and experts discuss the role of generative AI tools in US political campaigns, highlighting the incorporation of technology, regulatory challenges, and potential impacts on public discourse and trust. The podcast delves into the use of AI in content moderation for a mobile gaming company, emphasizing the importance of human oversight in maintaining credibility.

Guests from Open MIC and Arjuna Capital discuss the role of shareholder activism in tech accountability. They delve into the importance of transparency, accountability, federal privacy laws, AI risks, and engaging with tech companies. The podcast highlights successful engagements with Meta and Google, emphasizing collaborative efforts for responsible innovation.

Shadow report critiques US Senate AI policy roadmap, emphasizing corporate influence, legislative urgency, transparency in AI practices, accountability in decision-making, and impact of private vendors on government information access. Authors discuss diverse perspectives and recommendations from civil society and academia.

Marwa Fatafta, Policy and advocacy director for Access Now, discusses challenges with Meta's moderation of Palestinian voices. Topics include biases in content moderation, difficulties facing journalists in Gaza, lack of civil society consultation, and the need for policy changes and advocacy efforts.

Claudia Ruiz and Alejandra Montoya-Boyer, civil rights advocates in US AI policy, discuss the Senate report favoring industry over public interests. They emphasize the need to prioritize civil rights, address biases in AI implementation, and collaborate with industry leaders for inclusive innovation. The podcast explores the necessity of regulations for advanced AI models and the urgent need for specialized oversight in the evolving AI landscape.