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The Trump administration launched the U.S. Tech Force this week, aiming to recruit 1,000 fellows with backgrounds in AI, cybersecurity and other high-tech fields into federal agencies. It’s the latest attempt to solve the government’s long-standing recruitment problem. But will this time be different? On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor, a longtime tech investor, to discuss the new initiative, the impact of DOGE cuts and why the...
President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social this week that he will sign an executive order aimed at banning state AI laws. The move will almost certainly appease Silicon Valley executives and anger some of his fellow Republicans — not to mention ignite a legal battle with state governments concerned about federal overreach. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly breaks down the latest developments surrounding the closely watched and intensely debated AI moratorium with the help of POLITICO tec...
Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, discusses the emerging AI investment boom and his concerns about a potential AI bubble, drawing parallels to the dot-com era. He addresses the escalating threat of AI-powered scams and disinformation, emphasizing both individual cybersecurity basics and the critical responsibility of tech companies to leverage AI for detection and prevention. Newmark also explores the ethical challenge of balancing profit with online safety and details his philanthropic work aimed at combating cyber fraud and promoting a more secure digital future.
Dario Gil, Undersecretary for Science at the Department of Energy, discusses the critical challenge of meeting the soaring energy demands driven by artificial intelligence and quantum computing. He details the administration's multi-horizon approach to energy, from immediate grid solutions and nuclear renaissance to the long-term potential of fusion. The conversation also covers the intense US-China competition in advanced technologies, the indispensable role of federal R&D, and the crucial balance between accelerating innovation and ensuring cybersecurity and safety.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, an actor and entrepreneur, expresses admiration for AI's potential while criticizing tech companies for harvesting human data without consent or fair compensation, drawing parallels to digital feudalism. He advocates for policies giving individuals ownership of their digital selves and pushes back against the industry's "AI race" narrative, arguing that profit motives often overshadow public good. The discussion also covers legislative efforts and Hollywood's influence on AI perception.
Democrats logged big election wins this week in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City. And in some races, artificial intelligence — and specifically the energy data centers will consume — was a key issue for voters. As the tech industry spends billions of dollars to build out AI infrastructure, Tuesday’s outcome suggests there could be new political roadblocks ahead. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Ian Stevenson from POLITICO's E&E News to delve into the election in Virg...
This episode explores the critical link between AI governance, public trust, and industry profitability, featuring Miriam Vogel, co-author of "Governing the Machine." Vogel argues that rather than stifling innovation, smart guardrails accelerate AI adoption and returns on investment by assuring users of safety and reliability. The discussion covers the roles of government and industry in setting best practices, emphasizing internal company accountability and the need for greater AI literacy to overcome public fears.
Meredith Whittaker discusses the precarious future of Big Tech, arguing that increasing public awareness of its dependencies and the financial precarity of the AI bubble point to a looming shift. She delves into the existential threat AI agents pose to privacy, detailing how their need for root access could nullify end-to-end encryption. Whittaker also examines how tech culture aligns itself with political power and the decline of internal resistance, highlighting Signal's unique struggle to maintain privacy without a profit-driven model.
This episode explores the escalating US-China tech battle, sparked by China's rare earth export restrictions and the US 'Affiliates Rule.' Geopolitical risk advisor Liza Tobin discusses the precarious state of relations, Beijing's negotiation tactics, and the crucial role of allied alignment. The conversation highlights each nation's unique technological vulnerabilities and strengths, emphasizing the importance of upcoming weeks for global trade and technology.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan discusses his ambitious goal of making San Jose the most AI-enabled city in the country, highlighting successful implementations like AI-optimized bus routes and the challenges of integrating AI into complex government processes like permitting. He shares his nuanced perspective on California's new AI safety law, advocating for a balance between necessary safeguards and fostering innovation. Mahan also expresses concerns that overregulation and state policies are hindering investment and economic growth within California's tech sector, potentially driving capital to other states.
The episode delves into the evolving concept of "smart cities" and how artificial intelligence is enabling local governments to address pressing issues despite limited resources. James Anderson of Bloomberg Philanthropies discusses successful AI deployments, the critical need for data governance, tech skills, and strong leadership for effective implementation. He also touches on challenges like talent shortages and navigating partnerships with big tech, ultimately predicting cities will lead the way in human-centered AI.
This episode recaps POLITICO's AI & Tech Summit, focusing on two major policy debates: the partisan battle over online speech following Charlie Kirk's assassination, and the struggle for AI dominance involving Washington, China, and California. Reporters Brendan Bordelon and Anthony Adragna discuss FCC Chair Brendan Carr and Senator Ted Cruz's views on the First Amendment, Senator Amy Klobuchar's call for regulation, the White House's AI strategy, and the Trump administration's controversial interventions in tech companies like Intel and NVIDIA, revealing splits within the Republican party.
This episode delves into Anthropic's $1.5 billion settlement for using pirated books to train its AI, examining its implications for ongoing copyright battles. Keith Kupferschmid of the Copyright Alliance discusses how the case highlights AI companies' accountability and ability to pay, while also noting that specific rulings on fair use remain contentious. The conversation explores the long road ahead, the potential for more lawsuits, and the strong argument for licensing agreements over litigation.
The federal government's 'OneGov' program is enabling agencies to purchase AI technology at significantly reduced rates, attracting companies like Box and OpenAI. Box CEO Aaron Levie explains that while Box offers substantial discounts for mission-critical support, leading AI firms leverage this as a 'seeding strategy' to drive widespread adoption. The episode delves into the challenges of government AI readiness, the vision for an AI-powered public sector, and how this initiative aligns with a bipartisan push for modernization and efficiency.
Host Steven Overly and guest Bharat Ramamurti delve into the urgent economic fears surrounding AI-driven job losses and disruption. Ramamurti, former Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, argues for proactive worker empowerment and policy shifts to ensure AI benefits are broadly shared, rather than relying on inadequate historical relief efforts. They also discuss the political implications, potential tax strategies, and the constitutional challenges of trade policies, highlighting the need for a clear political message to protect American workers as AI adoption accelerates.
As a senior policy adviser in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dean Ball helped write President Donald Trump’s recently released AI Action Plan. This week, Ball left the administration and plans to continue shaping AI policy from outside the White House. On POLITICO Tech, Ball joins host Steven Overly to discuss the government’s role in regulating artificial intelligence, Trump allowing China to buy American microchips, and whether the rush of AI investment will lead to a market bubb...
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) was a tech adviser to President Barack Obama back when Washington was first grappling with artificial intelligence. Now, he’s introducing legislation this week with Rep. John McGuire (R-Va.) that aims to prepare the federal government for quantum computing, and how hackers could tap its speed and power to steal sensitive data. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly talks with Subramanyam about the cybersecurity risks that await in a post-quantum world. Plus, how he’s...
Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin may garner lots of attention, but there are a growing number of tech companies now chasing commercial and defense opportunities in space. And they’re ratcheting up the competition for longtime contractors who sell to the federal government. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Rob Geckle, the CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, to discuss Silicon Valley breaking into the defense business, the U.S. space race with China and looming...
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump unveiled his AI Action Plan, which effectively outlines his strategy for keeping the U.S. at the forefront of artificial intelligence. And for the most part, it’s a gift to Silicon Valley — slashing AI regulation at the federal level and trying to halt it in the states. But, one part of the plan will drag tech further into Trump’s war on wokeness. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly breaks down key provisions of the plan and how they could be implemented wit...
Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly warned that artificial intelligence poses a danger to humanity. And as the U.S. and other governments turn away from regulating AI, the Catholic Church is emerging as a vocal skeptic on the world stage. One of the influential voices shaping those calls is Father Paolo Benanti, a professor and author who acts as the Vatican’s de facto adviser on AI. On POLITICO Tech, Benanti joins host Steven Overly to discuss ethical concerns surrounding AI and why he thinks regulator...
There’s a power struggle between humanity and technology. And Vilas Dhar, president and trustee of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, argues humanity coming out on top depends not just on regulation, but on people regaining agency vis-à-vis technology and a voice in how it is created. On POLITICO Tech, Dhar joins host Steven Overly to discuss how humans can reclaim their power, and why he thinks an initial step should be creating a national digital identification system. Steven Overly is the ho...
Patrick McGee has written the definitive book on how Apple supercharged China’s development into a global manufacturing colossus and leveraged its relationship with Beijing to become one of the most iconic consumer tech brands in history. Now, the author of “Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company” joins POLITICO Tech guest host Phelim Kine to break down how Apple’s reliance on China has become a toxic codependency that has trapped the company at the center of U.S.-China trad...
The Federal Communications Commission will meet today with a new Republican majority after the confirmation of former Capitol Hill staffer Olivia Trusty. That’s likely to boost Chair Brendan Carr’s Trump-approved agenda as he ramps up scrutiny of TV broadcasters and social media platforms over perceived conservative bias. On POLITICO Tech, reporter John Hendel joins host Steven Overly to explain the political makeup of the nation’s chief communications regulator and what to expect in the months ...
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been called a “Luddite” and “anti-tech,” but the actor, filmmaker and entrepreneur insists he’s actually dazzled by artificial intelligence. He just has qualms with the tech companies building it, and how they’re compensating people for their work and data. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly met up with Gordon-Levitt on the sidelines of an Aspen Digital event in Washington, D.C. to discuss AI’s consequences for creatives, and what he wants from the tech industry and fr...
Mississippi is trying to position itself as the “Digital Delta” — a hub in the American South for artificial intelligence development and data centers. It’s one of many states that largely missed out on the internet boom and are now looking for AI to boost their local economy. On POLITICO Tech, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves joins host Steven Overly to discuss how his state is trying to seize the AI moment, from energy production to workforce training. Plus, they discuss how policy being set in Wa...
Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) is big on investing in research in cutting-edge technologies, especially artificial intelligence and biotechnology. But lately, that’s put him in a position of pushing back against the leader of his own party, President Donald Trump, who has imposed steep and swift cuts to federal research funding at agencies and universities. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Young for a live interview at the AI+ Expo in Washington to talk about that tension and more. ...
Vice President JD Vance told a crypto conference this week that the industry “finally has a champion and an ally in the White House.” And, he’s right. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has largely reversed the industry’s fortunes in Washington. But the industry’s fortunes are now Trump’s fortunes, as the president and his family plunge deeper into the digital currency business. That’s starting to concern some Republicans and crypto lobbyists pushing the industry’s agenda. On POLITICO T...
House Republicans narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful” reconciliation bill, including a provision that would block states from enforcing new AI regulations for a decade. The proposal, which now heads to the Senate, has backing from industry but faces fierce opposition from state attorneys general and AI safety hawks. Even some opponents of tech regulation worry the moratorium is too broad and too long. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly unpacks the proposal with Sam Hammon...
A large contingent of Silicon Valley CEOs followed President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia this week, where a number of them announced billions of dollars in AI-related investments and business partnerships. Mohammed Soliman, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, says this is the new Middle East — where the relationship with the U.S. is driven by tech and innovation, not just oil and security. On POLITICO Tech, Soliman tells host Steven Overly how this new arrangement benefits tech compan...
The saga over control of OpenAI took yet another turn this week when the ChatGPT maker announced it will no longer try to splinter off from the nonprofit that controls it. But critics of that plan, including former OpenAI employee Page Hedley, aren’t exactly taking a victory lap. On POLITICO Tech, Hedley joins host Steven Overly to explain why the latest news still leaves some doubt about OpenAI’s commitment to its founding mission of building artificial intelligence that’s good for humanity. St...
