
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

Jun 27, 2022 • 36min
Will Americans finally see bipartisan federal privacy legislation?
On TechTank, host Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Cameron Kerry and Jennifer King to discuss the current bipartisan and bicameral draft of the American Data Privacy and Protection Act and whether the U.S. can soon expect national legislation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 13, 2022 • 60min
Exploring the intersection of tech policy and LGBTQ+ rights
This year’s Pride Month comes at a difficult time for LGBTQ+ rights. Over the past year, there have been over 300 anti-LGBTQ bills proposed in at least 28 states, including Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill that aims to limit LGBTQ+ discussion in schools, and a bill in Ohio that would ban transgender women from participating in high school and college athletics that includes a “verification process” of checking the genitals of those accused of being transgender. On TechTank, Samantha Lai, guest host and research assistant at the Center for Technology Innovation, is joined by David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, and Chris Wood, executive director and co-founder of LGBT Tech, to discuss how technology concerns surrounding privacy, content moderation, facial recognition, and more shape the online experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 30, 2022 • 33min
Deciphering the Metaverse
There’s been a lot of hype surrounding the concept of the Metaverse, but questions surrounding issues of privacy, security, virtual content moderation, the sale of virtual goods, and data ownership remain. On TechTank, host Darrell West is joined by Tom Wheeler and Katherine Cross to discuss the Metaverse and what issues it raises for consumers and businesses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 16, 2022 • 45min
Can policymakers level the playing field in the computer sciences?
In this technological age, workforce demands for computer science skills have evolved and keep evolving. On TechTank, Dr. Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Michael Hansen, Nicolas Zerbino and Kimberly Scott to discuss what it means to equitably expand access to computer science education for K-12 students. They also look at a recently-released report authored by Hansen and Zerbino, “Exploring the state of computer science education amid rapid policy expansion”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 2, 2022 • 32min
What should we do about computer chip shortages?
Semiconductor chips powered the digital revolution. However, recent shortages exacerbated by the global pandemic and geopolitical tensions have slowed production and imperiled economic activity. On TechTank, Darrell West is joined by Jeremy Mark and Emily Kilcrease to discuss what to expect going forward, ways to improve supply chain resiliency and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 18, 2022 • 42min
A conversation on improving the STEM pipeline with UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski
On #TechTank, Dr. Turner Lee and Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, President of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, unpack the challenges of having a more inclusive tech workforce and discuss a pathway toward student success and professional achievement for under-represented students and professionals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 4, 2022 • 33min
How to discourage extremism and harmful activities on social media platforms
The Internet democratized the information ecosystem and generated many different uses. But at the same time, there are concerns about ways that social media platforms enable violent speech, extremism, and human abuses. On TechTank, Darrell West is joined by Ben Wittes and Quinta Jurecic to discuss how policymakers and regulators could proceed with content moderation on social media sites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 21, 2022 • 33min
A conversation with Jessica Brandt and Emerson Brooking on the information wars in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought forward many important questions about the social media landscape. In this episode of TechTank, guest host Samantha Lai is joined by Jessica Brandt and Emerson Brooking to discuss the role disinformation has played in this conflict, how social media companies and the American government have responded, and what precedence this sets for the future of the global internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 7, 2022 • 43min
Civil rights and artificial intelligence: Can the two concepts coexist?
Nicol Turner Lee speaks to Renee Cummings and Lisa Rice on biases in artificial intelligence and howthey disproportionately impact historically marginalized groups in financial services, hiring, policing, andmore. Together, they will conduct a deep dive into these difficult questions and offer insight onremedies to this pressing question of equitable AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 2022 • 34min
Laura Coates on racial inequities in our criminal justice system
On TechTank, Darrell West interviews Laura Coates on her new book, Just Pursuit: A Black Prosecutor’s Fight for Fairness. They talk about her views of the criminal justice system, racial and gender inequities, and ways digital technologies are complicating the works of prosecutors, defenders, and suspects. The two also discuss ways to improve the legal system and overcome existing injustices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.