TechTank
Brookings Institution
TechTank is a biweekly podcast from The Brookings Institution exploring the most consequential technology issues of our time. From artificial intelligence and racial bias in algorithms, to Big Tech, the future of work, and the digital divide, TechTank takes abstract ideas and makes them accessible. Moderators Dr. Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West speak with leading technology experts and policymakers to share new data, ideas, and policy solutions to address the challenges of our new digital world. Sign up to receive the TechTank newsletter for more research and analysis from the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 24, 2025 • 37min
The Age of Extraction: A discussion on Tim Wu's new book
Marketplaces look different in the digital age and are controlled by a few large companies with immense economic and cultural power. Co-host Nicol Turner Lee is joined by legal scholar and tech expert, Tim Wu, to discuss his new book, “The Age of Extraction” and the future of these platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 10, 2025 • 39min
Why data centers are important for AI
AI is the transformative technology of our time, yet undergirding the growing use of AI is the need for state-of-the-art data centers that host the file servers and networking equipment that store, process, and analyze information. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West discuss what data centers are, their number and distribution, barriers to development, and ways to overcome those challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 20, 2025 • 33min
On European digital sovereignty and platform regulation with Marietje Schaake
Europe created regulatory frameworks, including the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, in attempt to reassert control, but these laws have recently faced backlash from the Trump administration. In this episode of the TechTank podcast, Courtney Radsch speaks with Marietje Schaake about these challenges and the digital sovereignty debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 6, 2025 • 35min
Will AI democratize financial services?
Financial services have long relied on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for a range of duties, from administrative tasks to decision-making, but these uses can have major implications for consumers subject to the technology’s decisions. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee speaks with Aaron Klein about these consequences and the importance of oversight in deploying these technologies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 22, 2025 • 41min
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez talks about the future of the communications landscape
The media and communications landscapes are in flux as the administration’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continues to implement its priorities, including around free speech and access to public media. In this episode, co-host Nicol Turner Lee speaks with FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez about these developments and the future of the agency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 8, 2025 • 22min
How the NFL is using technology to improve performance
Digital technologies and data analytics are increasingly being used to help athletes and coaches better monitor their performance and find areas for improvement. In this episode, Darrell West is joined by NFL player Kelvin Beachum and professor Arthur Daemmrich about how these developments could transform sports and the experience of fans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 4, 2025 • 43min
Measuring Black women’s trust in AI
Some historically marginalized groups, including Black women, have a complex relationship with the scientific community and institutions, yet their concerns and experiences with emerging technologies like AI are often left out of discussions around trust and design. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Raj Korpan and Zarah Guillemet to discuss their new research centering Black women’s trust in AI and the importance of this perspective in creating equitable technologies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 21, 2025 • 31min
Examining Section 230’s impact on Black Americans
Section 230 has shaped the internet since its passage in 1996 and has had far-reaching implications for marginalized groups, including Black Americans. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Danielle Davis to discuss her recent work examining these consequences and the difficulty of addressing them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 30, 2025 • 46min
Understanding and regulating crypto harms
Conversations on cryptocurrency have been dominated by the industry and experts, leaving out the public, who will be impacted by Congress’ legislative efforts. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Tonantzin Carmona to discuss her research and recommendations on how Americans can be protected from the risks and harms posed by crypto. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 16, 2025 • 19min
How autonomous vehicles can talk to one another
As driverless cars hit the roads in more cities, some researchers are trying to improve their efficiency and navigational systems by creating social networks of autonomous vehicles. In this episode, Darrell West speaks with Yong Liu about this research project and how it might improve the reliability of these systems while protecting passengers’ privacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
