The Tech Policy Press Podcast

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.

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.

Vass Bednar, a public policy entrepreneur, discusses Canada's tech policies at a pivotal political moment. Maroussia Lévesque, a Harvard Law lecturer, explores AI's role in safeguarding democracy and free elections, while highlighting regulation challenges. Renee Black, founder of GoodBot, emphasizes the urgent need to combat disinformation and establish digital rights frameworks. Together, they stress the significance of proactive measures, stakeholder engagement, and the necessity for Canada to forge its own path in AI and tech sovereignty.

Emily M. Bender is a Professor of Linguistics at the University of Washington, while Alex Hanna leads research at the Distributed AI Research Institute. They discuss their new book, which critiques the exaggerated hype surrounding AI and advocates for a more realistic view of its societal impact. The conversation highlights AI's effects on labor, the importance of worker advocacy, and the challenges of algorithm-driven governance. They also share insights on promoting critical thinking in education and their commitment to fighting misinformation.

Guests Robin Mansell, a Professor Emeritus at the LSE, and Courtney Radsch, Director at the Center for Journalism and Liberty, dive into the pressing interplay of information ecosystems and democracy. They discuss insights from a groundbreaking report on how misinformation erodes democratic values, stressing the implications of AI and corporate practices. The conversation highlights the need for qualitative research to address these complexities and suggests innovative partnerships among NGOs to navigate the challenges posed by big tech and political populism.

Vera Zakem, California's State Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, previously led global efforts at USAID to align technology with democratic values. In this discussion, she shares insights on balancing innovation and public accountability, tackling the challenges of integrating AI and other emerging technologies in governance. Zakem emphasizes the need for collaboration among public, academia, and industry to foster responsible tech development while also addressing talent recruitment and upskilling in California's competitive tech landscape.

Frank Torres, Senior Policy Advisor on Civil Rights and Technology at the Center for Civil Rights and Technology, discusses a groundbreaking Innovation Framework aimed at fostering equitable AI practices. They dive into the importance of integrating civil rights into AI governance, highlighting risks faced by marginalized communities. The conversation emphasizes consumer trust, the need for responsible AI deployment, and why engaging those historically pushed to the margins is crucial in the design process. Sustainability challenges in AI also take center stage, advocating for a balance between innovation and ethical accountability.

Cristiano Lima-Strong, Associate Editor at Tech Policy Press, joins to delve into a contentious legislative proposal proposing a 10-year moratorium on state AI laws. He uncovers the motivations behind this initiative aimed at creating a cohesive national framework for AI regulation. The discussion reveals concerns over consumer protections for vulnerable groups and highlights the rapid progression of this proposal in Congress. Lima-Strong also examines the shifting dynamics of AI regulation amid growing state-level scrutiny and industry lobbying.

Karen Hao, a journalist and author of 'Empire of AI,' dives into the troubling dynamics of artificial intelligence and its imperialistic impact on marginalized communities. She critiques the unethical practices of tech giants like OpenAI and emphasizes the vast disparity between executives and lower-paid workers. The conversation highlights grassroots activism against harmful AI developments and advocates for a future where AI promotes equity in education and healthcare. Hao envisions a world where technology serves humanity rather than undermining it.

Milton L. Mueller, a professor at Georgia Tech and head of the Internet Governance Project, explores the evolution of internet governance and the implications for today's tech policy. He discusses the historic shift of U.S. control over ICANN and the emergence of a more multi-stakeholder approach post-2012. The conversation touches on the geopolitics between the U.S. and China, tensions in tech sovereignty, and the UN's role in governance. Mueller emphasizes the need to retain idealism in navigating the complex future of digital governance.