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Technically Optimistic

Latest episodes

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Jun 19, 2024 • 1h 1min

What's next for data

Experts discuss the future of data, including new privacy laws like APRA and challenges with data collection in criminal justice. Topics cover surveillance capitalism, actor biometric rights, AI in entertainment, and advocating for stronger privacy laws prioritizing human interests.
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Jun 12, 2024 • 1h 5min

The India episode — tech and data in the Global South

Delving into India's data economy impact, the podcast discusses caste discrimination, tech worker challenges, empowering marginalized populations, and the future of AI in sectors like agriculture and healthcare. It explores the intersection of technology, human rights, and global collaboration through UN initiatives, highlighting the need for data governance for positive societal impacts.
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75 snips
Jun 5, 2024 • 1h 4min

Who's watching the kids?

Discussion on the harms of tech companies tracking kids online, proposed laws for child privacy protection, insights from Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, concerns about social media on kids' mental health, and debate on the Kids Online Safety Act
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May 22, 2024 • 1h 3min

Policed by our data

The podcast delves into the use of facial recognition by law enforcement and its impact on civil liberties. Experts discuss the flaws in data-driven policing, the need for cyber hygiene, and the ethical implications of these surveillance systems. They also explore the role of the Fourth Amendment in protecting against data-driven policing and the importance of maintaining data security in the digital age.
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May 15, 2024 • 57min

Digital surveillance and reproductive rights

Digital surveillance poses a threat to reproductive rights post-Roe v. Wade. Guests discuss data privacy, tracking impact on abortion rights, privacy protection measures by tech, and efforts to ensure reproductive freedom. Spotlight on Planned Parenthood's privacy-focused app, Safe self-directed abortions mission by Plan C, and navigating reproductive data privacy post-REMS. Tech companies urged to prioritize data handling choices for patient autonomy.
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May 8, 2024 • 1h 1min

Your data, your vote

Modern political campaigning has become a massive data operation. In the US, candidates from both parties frequently use data to try and better understand voters, in hopes of swaying them on election day. But how, exactly, is voter information being acquired, analyzed, and employed to influence voters? Do modeling and targeting really move the needle? And how are political campaigns a microcosm of the data economy, illuminating how data can transform society? In this episode, Raffi talks to election veterans, data specialists, and former colleagues from his time as CTO at the Democratic National Committee, to talk about how data is utilized in campaigns. Guests include Dan Wagner, CEO of Civis Analytics; political consultant Max Wood; Lindsey Schuh Cortes, CEO of TargetSmart; and Tara McGowan, former political strategist & publisher of COURIER.To learn more about Technically Optimistic and to read the transcript for this episode: emersoncollective.com/technically-optimistic-podcastFor more on Emerson Collective: emersoncollective.comLearn more about our host, Raffi Krikorian: emersoncollective.com/raffiTechnically Optimistic is produced by Emerson Collective with music by Mattie Safer.Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: technicallyoptimistic.substack.comFollow on social media @emersoncollective and @emcollectivepodcastsEmail us with questions and feedback at us@technicallyoptimistic.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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May 1, 2024 • 1h 1min

How to save social media

This discussion dives into the dark side of social media's surveillance capitalism and the urgent need for reform. It features insights from a Facebook whistleblower and advocates for a user-centric approach to privacy. The potential of decentralized platforms is explored, emphasizing community empowerment and data control. Innovative concepts like ActivityPub are introduced, promoting better connectivity across services. There's a call for social media to act as information fiduciaries, prioritizing user interests over profits. Tune in for a vision of ethical social networking!
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Apr 24, 2024 • 51min

How your behavior became the world's biggest resource

This podcast delves into the world of data privacy and AI regulation, exploring the ethical dimensions of mathematical models and data usage. It also discusses the evolution of cookies on the web and the societal implications of ad tracking methods, shedding light on the commercial challenges faced by Netscape in the early days of the internet.
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Mar 10, 2024 • 4min

Season Two is all about your data

The second season of Technically Optimistic is all about your data. Who’s taking it? What are they doing with it? And how can you gain back some control?Join host Raffi Krikorian, CTO of Emerson Collective, down this road. It’s going to lead to some predictable places — like AI and social media — but also to stories about health care, political campaigning, and criminal justice reform.Subscribe now! New episodes are coming soon. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Nov 3, 2023 • 40min

Unpacking Biden's AI plan

On Monday, October 30th, Biden signed a landmark executive order on artificial intelligence safety and security. It was timed strategically, released the same week as VP Harris gave a speech at a UK AI summit. And, in the absence of any Congressional action, Biden’s document represents the most comprehensive and official policy of the United States on AI at the moment. So, what’s in the executive order? Host Raffi Krikorian speaks with journalist Courtney Rozen, who covers the White House and tech policy for Bloomberg, and Suresh Venkatasubramanian, a Brown University computer science professor who co-wrote the influential Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights in 2022. Sign up for the Technically Optimistic newsletter: technicallyoptimistic.substack.com To learn more about Technically Optimistic: emersoncollective.com/technicallyoptimistic For more on Emerson Collective: emersoncollective.com Learn more about our host, Raffi Krikorian: emersoncollective.com/persons/raffi-krikorian Technically Optimistic is produced by Emerson Collective with music by Mattie Safer. Email us with questions and feedback at technicallyoptimistic@emersoncollective.com. Subscribe to Emerson Collective’s newsletter: emersoncollective.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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