
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

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.

Jul 3, 2023 • 46min
How to Address Issues of Racial Equity and Justice
On this episode of the TechTank podcast, co-host Darrell M. West engages in an enlighteningconversation with Dr. Camille Busette, the interim Vice President of Governance Studies at theBrookings Institution, and Dr. Andre Perry, a senior fellow in the Metro program and Director ofthe Valuing Black Assets Initiative. As project co-leads, these esteemed researchers will sharetheir plans for the new Center and why they believe it will help us address issues of racial equityand justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 19, 2023 • 43min
Social media and teens: How do they think it impacts them?
In this week’s episode of the TechTank Podcast, co-host Nicol Turner Lee will be joined by Monica Anderson, director of internet and technology research at the Pew Research Center, Camisha Covington Parker, Dean at Northern Virginia Community College, and Girl Scout leader for Chloe Lee and Camdyn Parker, both high school students, who will share what policymakers and parents should consider when addressing the increasing use and impacts of social media on teens. Together, the guests will delve into a thought-provoking conversation around what policymakers, parents, and communities can do to ensure protections around teens and social media use, and the blind spots of current debates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 5, 2023 • 34min
How AI Disrupts Elections and Influences Voter Choices
With the 2024 elections around the corner, political tensions are running high, and there isconsiderable concern about how generative AI will affect campaigns and election turnout. Thisweek, on the TechTank Podcast, co-host Darrell West will engage in a conversation on thesecrucial matters with Sarah M.L. Bender, an accomplished JD candidate from the University ofMichigan and the author of the article titled "Algorithmic Elections" in the Michigan LawReview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 22, 2023 • 35min
From The TechTank Archives: Twitter, Trump, and Online Speech
From November 28, 2022: In this episode of the podcast, co-host Darrell West speaks to Nicol Turner Lee, senior fellow in Governance Studies and director of the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings and Tom Wheeler, a visiting fellow in Governance Studies and the author of a forthcoming Brookings book, “Techlash” about Twitter's future, and the consequences of recent tumultuous changes at the company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 8, 2023 • 51min
Bank failures and the tech sector: For better or for worse?
In the last year, bank failures have dominated the news cycle. On this episode of the TechTank podcast,co-host Nicol Turner Lee will discuss why the technology sector has been particularly sensitive to recentbank failures, and what the future of banking looks like in the digital age. Joining the TechTank podcastto help discuss the future of banking is Aaron Klein, who is the Miriam K. Carliner Chair in EconomicStudies and Senior Fellow at the Center on Regulation and Markets at the Brookings Institution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 24, 2023 • 46min
Will the U.S. attain a competitive global spectrum strategy?
Consumer demand for wireless services continue to increase in the U.S., prioritizing the need for more licensed and unlicensed spectrum as more services migrate to mobile platforms. On this week's episode of the TechTank Podcast, co-host Nicol Turner Lee sits down with Scott Blake Harris, Senior Spectrum Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary, National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) about the forthcoming National Spectrum Strategy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.