
TechTank
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.
Latest episodes

Nov 20, 2023 • 41min
Generative AI, parents, and teens
In this week's episode of the TechTank podcast, co-host Nicol Turner Lee is joined by StephenBalkam, founder and CEO of FOSI, and Kara Sundby, Senior Director at KANTAR, to delve intothe findings of a new report focused on how teens and parents interact with generative AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 6, 2023 • 33min
How AI Will Affect the 2024 Elections
In this episode of The TechTank Podcast, co-host Darrell West engages in a conversation withElaine Kamarck, the Founding Director of the Center for Effective Public Management, and aSenior Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. Together, they explore thetransformative impact of AI on the political landscape and explore what lies ahead for theupcoming election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 23, 2023 • 33min
A conversation with Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) on AI accountability and election integrity
In this episode of the #TechTank podcast, co-host Nicol Turner Lee talks with CongresswomanYvette D. Clarke about her prior and current legislative directives focused on AI regulation, andthe urgency given the explosion of generative AI systems. The Congresswoman is a SeniorMember of both the House Energy and Commerce Commission, and the House Committee onHomeland Security. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 9, 2023 • 34min
From The TechTank Archives: Taylor Lorenz on Gen Z, Influencer Culture, and the Future of Social Media
From December 13 2021: How have teens, the most tech-savvy population of all, been navigating the internet, rife with the spread of misinformation, algorithmic discrimination and more? On TechTank, Samantha Lai will be joined by Taylor Lorenz, technology reporter for the New York Times and affiliate at the Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, to discuss how young people use the internet and why it matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 25, 2023 • 37min
California Congressman Ted Lieu talks about the state of AI governance
In this episode of the TechTank Podcast, co-host Nicol Turner Lee speaks to Congressman Ted (D-CA) about these and other areas concerning AI regulation, oversight, and guidance in the United States. They also discuss how AI’s regulation from other countries will influence national policymaking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 11, 2023 • 38min
Exploring the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0
In this episode of the TechTank Podcast, co-Host Nicol Turner Lee discusses what is new in the more recently updated Cybersecurity Framework 2.0. Joining the podcast to discuss those changes is Cherilyn Pascoe, Director of the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), who also shares resources and tools that all organizations of any size and sector can access. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 28, 2023 • 42min
Why Should We Go Back to the Moon?
In this episode, co-host Darrell West will be joined by Tom Colvin, a Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy (OTPS) at NASA. In light of recent international interest in returning to the moon, they will discuss the implications of new lunar landings for the future of space exploration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 14, 2023 • 30min
Will Courts Allow Technology to Mitigate Climate Change?
In this episode, co-host Darrell West explores the ramifications of judicial constraints on executive agencies. Joining the conversation is Barry Rabe, a professor of political science and public policy at the University of Michigan and a nonresident senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. Together, they will discuss what the recent court decisions mean for new climate technologies, historical precedents on checks-and-balances, and the US as a leader in global trade and clean energy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 31, 2023 • 42min
AI Rules for the Metaverse
The explosive popularity of ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies has allowed the metaverse to escape public attention and regulators’ notice, even as interest, investment, and development in virtual realities has increased worldwide. In this episode of TechTank, co-host Nicol Turner Lee examines the potential pitfalls of a virtual landscape and discusses the urgent need for guardrails with Tom Wheeler, Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of “AI makes rules for the metaverse even more important.” Together, they explore how virtual realities can revolutionize how we engage with each other, while also exacerbating existing concerns and introducing new risks, including discrimination and digital larceny. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 17, 2023 • 33min
Ways to Protect Children Online
In this episode of the TechTank podcast, co-host Darrell M. West explores potential paths forward in thesafety of kids online with Matt Perault, a professor at UNC's School of Information and Library Science,and Scott Brennen, the head of online expression policy at UNC's Center on Technology Policy. As co-authors of the report "Keeping Kids Safe Online: How Should Policymakers Approach Age Verification",both scholars will discuss current methods for age verification, consider the key trade-offs for each, andshare informed recommendations for policymakers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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