

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

Sep 16, 2024 • 30min
What do Vance and Walz have to say about tech policy ?
This week on The TechTank Podcast, Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West explore how the Vice President candidate's tech policy stances might influence the campaigns and the election, and whether they will ultimately shape the future of technology in the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 3, 2024 • 40min
A Citizen's Guide to Disinformation
This week on the TechTank podcast, co-host Nicol Turner Lee is joined by her colleagues, co-host Darrell West, and Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and Founding Director of the Center for Effective Public Management. Together, they will discuss the impact of disinformation on society and explore solutions presented in the new book authored by Darrell and Elaine titled Lies That Kill: A Citizen's Guide to Disinformation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 19, 2024 • 43min
Will VP Harris close the gaps for the digitally invisible if elected?
In this episode of the TechTank podcast, co-host, Darrell West speaks to Nicol Turner Lee, co-host and author of Digitally Invisible, to discuss what can be done by policymakers, industry, and civil society to talk about her new book, and share her thoughts on what it will take to narrow the widening disparities that exist around connectivity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 5, 2024 • 32min
What Project 2025 says about AI, antitrust, and public radio
This week on the TechTank Podcast, co-host Darrell West is joined by Roxana Mika Muenster, COMPASS fellow at Brookings’ Center for Technology and a doctoral student at Cornell University. Together, they explore what Project 2025 envisions for tech and media policy, and try to understand the impact their agenda would have on industry politics, and the voters themselves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 22, 2024 • 35min
Where was tech policy in the presidential race before Biden dropped out?
This week on the TechTank Podcast, co-host Dr. Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Steven Overly, the host of POLITICO Tech at POLITICO, and Darrell West, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and TechTank co-host. Together, they discuss where tech and tech policies are in the upcoming election and understand what hotbed issues resonate with candidates and voters alike. [Note: This episode was recorded before the announcement of Biden's exit from the race on July 21, 2024.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 17, 2024 • 42min
Creating Queer Inclusive Research and Experiences in AI
This week on the TechTank Podcast, co-host Nicol Turner Lee welcomes two distinguished guests: Arjun Subramonian, a Computer Science PhD candidate at the University of California, and Raj Korpan, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Hunter College, City University of New York. Together, they discuss their groundbreaking paper, "Queer in AI: A Case Study in Community-Led Participatory AI." This insightful episode dives into the significant risks AI poses to queer communities and explores innovative, community-driven solutions. Don’t miss this compelling conversation on the intersection of technology and social justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

45 snips
May 28, 2024 • 41min
What to make of the new AI Roadmap from the Senate’s Bipartisan Commission
Exploring the AI policy roadmap by Senator Schumer, addressing bias, workforce impact, and deepfake development. Analysis of the digital divide's impact and legislative needs. Urgency for AI regulation and boosting innovation with workforce development. Implications on national security, competition with China, and disinformation combat through legislative action.

May 6, 2024 • 40min
Embracing AI in Legal Practice: Opportunities and Challenges
Tech and telecoms lawyer Mark Brennan and nonresident senior fellow John Villasenor discuss the impact of AI on the legal sector, emphasizing the integration of AI technologies in law firms and the balance between human involvement and technology. They also explore the legal implications and future prospects of generative AI systems, including copyright concerns and the transformative potential of AI in various industries.

Apr 22, 2024 • 34min
A Conversation with the U.S. Chief Data Scientist: Dominique Duval-Diop
In this week's episode of the TechTank Podcast, co-host Nicol Turner Lee speaks with Dr. Dominique Duval-Diop, the Chief Data Scientist for the United States, who reports directly to the Biden-Harris administration. Hear more about the White House’s focus on equitable data and strategies for its effective implementation within our rapidly evolving systems. Dr. Duval-Diop also provides insights into how the nation navigates the plethora of data needs, including at federal agencies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 8, 2024 • 45min
From The TechTank Archives: Civil rights and artificial intelligence
This week on the TechTank Podcast, we revisit a crucial discussion from 2022 on civil rights and artificial intelligence. On this previous episode Co-host Nicol Turner Lee was joined by Renee Cummings, a data activist in residence and criminologist at the University of Virginia’s School of Data Science, along with Lisa Rice, president and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance. Together, they conducted a thorough exploration of these complex issues and provided valuable insights into addressing the urgent issue of equitable AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.