Tech'ed Up - TopPodcast.com

Lessons from Twitter’s Takeover • Lauren Culbertson Grieco Oct 31, 2024

Twitter's former Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy for the US and Canada, Lauren Culbertson Grieco, joins Niki in the studio to talk about her career - from tweeting for senators to navigating Elon Musk's Twitter takeover. Currently President of The Ledyard Group, she shares leadership lessons from the transition days at X, and she and Niki swaptech policy stories. They also share a prediction about what will dominate legislators’ tech agenda in the next Congress.

“Most of the people who worked at Twitter and some of the ones who still work there have a very strong sense of mission for what the platform means in the world.” -Lauren Culbertson

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Profiles in Tech: From Campaigns to Crypto • Julie Stitzel (DCG) Oct 17, 2024

Sr. VP of Policy at Digital Currency Group, Julie Stitzel, sits down with Niki in the D.C. studio to talk about their shared path from Midwestern upbringings to helping shape crypto policy in the nation’s capital. Julie shares her admiration for Hill staffers and why she remains optimistic for the future of crypto in the U.S. They also do a little arm-chair quarterbacking on the 2024 presidential campaign.

“...when I think about innovation, I think the U.S. should be the place where people come. These innovators, these builders should feel free and excited about building in the U.S. and it's been the opposite experience for builders in the digital asset space.” -Julie Stitzel

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AI’s Campaign Influence • Sheera Frenkel (New York Times) Oct 03, 2024

New York Times reporter, Sheera Frenkel, joins Niki remotely to talk about the AI 2024 campaign season that wasn’t. She shares insights from her reporting on tech, shedding light on the reluctance to use AI by US campaigns compared to other countries, the rush by foreign adversaries to capitalize on AI’s capability to enhance disinformation campaigns, and lays out what has led Facebook to step back from political coverage.

“While our candidates are not excited about using AI…There are nation-states all over the world who are super excited about the possibilities of AI and how it lets them reach Americans in unprecedented ways.” -Sheera Frenkel

Read Sheera’s articles in the New York Times
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Read Kate Conger & Ryan Mac’s new book “Character Limit”

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Quantum 101 • Murray Thom (D-Wave) Sep 19, 2024

VP of Quantum Technology Evangelism at D-Wave, Murray Thom, joins Niki remotely to explore the basics of quantum computing and share some real-world, right-now applications of this leap in compute power. They talk AI, the impact that efficiency improvements have on daily life, and the exciting potential of quantum to facilitate breakthroughs in health care and drug discovery.

“There's a really deep technical connection between quantum computing and artificial intelligence.” -Murray Thom

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Venture Capital Meets Mission Critical • Steve Bowsher, IQT (In-Q-Tel) Sep 05, 2024

President and CEO of IQT (In-Q-Tel), Steve Bowsher pulls back the curtain on this CIA-launched non-profit that's been quietly shaping national security for a quarter-century. Steve shares what he looks for in game-changing startup teams, why IQT is not your average VC, and divulges what emerging technology he’s most excited about right now.

“People think of us as an investment platform, but the heart of what we do is to facilitate the piloting of technology” -Steve Bowsher

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Tech on the Hill • Andrew Desiderio (Punchbowl News) Aug 22, 2024

Punchbowl News reporter, Andrew Desiderio joins Niki in the studio to share his insider handicapping of the state of play of tech policy on the Hill. They talk KOSA/COPPA 2.0, the DEFIANCE Act, and legislative gridlock. Andrew shares why 2024 has been a good year for major tech policy legislation despite the Senate being de-incentivized to pass tech legislation, the House likely to shut down what few bills passed the Senate before August recess, and other agencies being reluctant to pick up the slack.

“When we look back on 2024, in terms of major tech policy legislation, we'll have seen some pretty landmark bills…” -Andrew Desiderio

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Profiles in Tech: Grit & Gratitude • Tiffany Moore (CTA) Aug 08, 2024

SVP of Political and Industry Affairs at the Consumer Technology Association, Tiffany Moore, gives a behind-the-scenes look at their popular CES tradeshow, shares why she’s passionate about their $10 million venture fund focused on increasing diversity in tech, and talks about the importance of GlobalWIN in helping to mentor others.

"...whether you're a large company with a keynote that seats a thousand people, or you’re a startup with a 12 foot table, there is a place for you at CES.” -Tiffany Moore

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The Case for Digital Solidarity • Pablo Chavez Jul 25, 2024

Adjunct Fellow at CNAS and Founder of Tech Policy Solutions, Pablo Chavez joins Niki in the studio to explain digital solidarity and digital sovereignty, swap campaign convention memories, and discuss US policy when it comes to the global internet. They talk State Dept. footnotes, the TikTok ban, and the future of the open internet.

“ ...the United States, increasingly as a matter of foreign policy on digital matters is a little bit in a defensive crouch.” -Pablo Chavez

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The State of Tech Policy • Dave Barmore Jul 11, 2024

Runway Strategies Co-Founder Dave Barmore joins Niki in the studio for a deep dive into the wave of tech regulations coming from the states. They talk about gridlock at the federal level and why tech needs to pay attention to the states when it comes to pending policy regulations facing AI, data privacy, and social media.
"in terms of bills getting passed and laws regulating tech, whether that's AI, data privacy, social media. Don't sleep on the states." -Dave Barmore

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Fun & Games at Discord • Ross LaJeunesse Jun 27, 2024

Head of Global Public Policy at Discord, Ross LaJeunesse, joins Niki in the studio to talk about how the app delivers today on the original promise of the internet - community and communication. He lays out how Discord fosters genuine servers-based connection, why it’s so important to small game developers, and what regulators should consider when they try to regulate Big Tech. Plus, he reviews just how huge gaming has become globally.

“Discord is one of those places. It's community, it's belonging, and it's economic opportunity. It's a platform for entrepreneurs, creative entrepreneurs, small businesses.” -Ross LaJeunesse

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Blockchain's Promise • Sheila Warren Jun 13, 2024

Crypto Council for Innovation CEO Sheila Warren breaks down crypto, Web3, and blockchain once and for all. She and Niki discuss crypto’s future on Capitol Hill and how it might impact this election season, the critical role blockchain has in making AI more transparent, and why you might already have a Web3 mindset.

“Things like authenticity, tracking, accountability, I think, are becoming even more important than they ever were before.” -Sheila Warren

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AI Mythbusting • Nikki Pope (NVIDIA) May 30, 2024

NVIDIA’s Head of AI & Legal Ethics, Nikki Pope, talks about why how we talk about artificial intelligence matters and why making the tech representative of more people is important. She and Niki break down some of the myths surrounding the tech and re-examine what regulators should be focused on when they think of “existential threat” and AI. Spoiler alert - it’s not what Hollywood thinks!

“...democratization of AI means making sure that we don't leave cultures and languages and communities behind as we all go running breakneck into the future.” -Nikki Pope

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Archer Aviation Takes Off • Adam Goldstein May 16, 2024

Archer Aviation Founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, joins Niki in the studio to talk about why, after years of flying cars being science fiction, the eVTOL industry is taking off now, how coordination with the FAA is critical to American dominance in the industry, and what the future of travel looks like. He lays out a future in which flying cars will be as accessible as automobiles.

“...talent and capital are the two advantages that the US has that nowhere else in the world has.” -Adam Goldstein

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A NewNet • Frank McCourt May 02, 2024

Philanthropist and author of ‘Our Biggest Fight’, Frank McCourt sits down with Niki in the studio to lay out his vision for a decentralized internet. He shares why Project Liberty is focused on personhood online instead of data privacy, why a digital bill of rights is not the answer, and shares his optimism for technologists’ ability to build a better digital future.

“Let's re-decentralize the Internet so that we put people back in charge.” - Frank McCourt

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Quick Tech Takes • Surveillance, TikTok & Robots Apr 25, 2024

Corporate Counsel at Google, Kat Mauler, sits down with Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio to talk about what’s moving fast in tech news. They break down big legislative moves in Congress with the expansion of FISA Section 702 adding extra surveillance remit to the US government, the TikTok divestiture bill dominating the headlines - and why it’s not a ban, and critique the moves of the new Boston Dynamics Atlas robot.

“I had really thought that one of the most enduring takeaways from our last administration and the presidency would be a distrust for executive power. To see an expansion of executive power is really interesting in this moment. ” - Kat Mauler

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Profiles in Tech: Fighting Online Hate • Imran Ahmed Apr 18, 2024

The CEO and Founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, Imran Ahmed, joins Niki in the studio to talk about what his recent win against Elon Musk means for the proliferation of hate speech online. He and Niki debate who has moral responsibility for online hate but both agree the current climate is untenable.

“CCDH advocates a market regulatory solution to a market regulatory failure.” -Imran Ahmed

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Quick Tech Takes • Privacy Legislation & Tech's AI Data Race Apr 11, 2024

Corporate Counsel at Google, Kat Mauler, joins Niki for a D.C. insider take on the latest tech headlines. They talk AI’s insatiable appetite for data and the landmark bipartisan data privacy bill making waves this week. Added bonus, zombie attacks in the Terms & Conditions and the sad trombone sounds of Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” tech.

“You always want tech to move ahead of regulators. If tech moved at the speed of government, we would be much less competitive.” - Kat Mauler

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Profiles in Tech: Put Yourself in The Room • Jill Hazelbaker (Uber) Apr 04, 2024

SVP of Marketing and Public Affairs at Uber, Jill Hazelbaker, shares lessons learned from her career at the comms helm of John McCain’s presidential campaign, to jumping in head-first at Google, to what keeps her engaged and energized at Uber.

“...most companies get a honeymoon period, and you would be very wise to use it to think about those arguments and think about your allies…” -Jill Hazelbaker

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Quick Tech Takes • U.S. v. Apple & "The Rewiring of Childhood" Mar 28, 2024

Founder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress, Adam Kovacevich, joins Niki for a rapid-fire take on the latest tech headlines. They dive into the latest Big Tech anti-trust litigation and have a candid talk about childhood in the smartphone era.

“Apple hasn't done anything in the U.S. differently than in Europe. So it's peculiarly American that we've ended up in this situation.” - Adam Kovacevich

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"Regulatory Hacking" • Evan Burfield Mar 21, 2024

Head of Strategy at The Future US, Evan Burfield, joins Niki with an update on how hacking the regulatory environment for start-ups has changed over the last few years. They take a deep dive into minerals and bioeconomy tech, talk human brain interfaces, and how building coalitions is essential to being strategic in approaching Washington.

“The Department of Defense can be an incredibly useful partner to a wide range of startups.” -Evan Burfield

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Quick Tech Takes • TikTok & EU's Digital Markets Act Mar 14, 2024

Founder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress, Adam Kovacevich, joins Niki for a rapid-fire take on the latest tech headlines. They talk about TikTok’s headache in Washington, Europe’s misguided Digital Markets Act, and the state of play in Congress.

“Even if this bill founders this year, the issue doesn't go away, right? That's the thing. The issue never goes away. There's no path really for TikTok to be a successful app in this country long-term and still be owned by ByteDance.” - Adam Kovacevich

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BBC article on TikTok’s approach to D.C.
ITIF analysis of the Digital Markets Act
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Billionaires Playing Politics • Teddy Schleifer (Puck) Mar 07, 2024

Puck reporter Teddy Schleifer pulls back the curtain on tech billionaires and political contributions. He and Niki look into the money and influence wielded by Silicon Valley titans over the presidential campaign. They talk about effective altruists, the “red-pilling” of Silicon Valley, and why tech donations to third-party candidates will continue to make things interesting this election season.

“We write about these donor advisors not because it's necessarily the juiciest stuff in the world, but [because] I think it tells you that this person is going to be spending 10 million plus a cycle.” -Teddy Schleifer

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Quick Tech Takes • “Spamouflage,” Google Gemini, & ChatGPT Feb 29, 2024

Steer PR partner Lauren Tomlinson joins Niki for the second installment of Beyond the Buzz, the bi-weekly series of Tech’ed Up that digs into the comms, tech, and DC news creating headlines. They talk “Spamoflauge”, Gemini, and Chat GPT.

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The AI Ripple Effect • Dex Hunter-Torricke (DeepMind) Feb 22, 2024

Head of Global Communications and Marketing at DeepMind, Dex Hunter-Torricke, joins Niki in the studio to inject some optimism and hope into the doom n’ gloom AI conversations dominating the airwaves. He highlights exponentially innovative developments at the Google subsidiary like AlhpaFold, scientific discoveries of new crystals and minerals, and AI-improved weather forecasting - all of which feeds his optimism for the future of tech.

“AI is just opening up such extraordinary new possibilities for us in this century. So, I think it's actually hard, once you understand where the technology is going, not to be an optimist.” -Dex Hunter-Torricke

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Quick Tech Takes • Layoffs & Spy Satellites Feb 15, 2024

Steer PR partner Lauren Tomlinson joins Niki for the first installment of Beyond the Buzz, the bi-weekly series of Tech’ed Up that digs into the comms, tech, and DC news creating headlines. They swap hot takes on “jargon monoxide” when it comes to corporate layoffs, the new space race for AI-augmented satellite surveillance, and the Swifties’ impact on Super Bowl advertising.

“...people are talking about [faster data processing in space] in the national security community a ton because obviously, that intelligence will be invaluable, but it's just as applicable across tech.” -Lauren Tomlinson

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Fortune Article
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The Future of Podcasting • Jordan Newman (Spotify) Feb 08, 2024

Spotify’s Head of Content Partnerships, Jordan Newman, joins Niki remotely to celebrate Tech’ed Up going weekly and to share podcasting tips and tricks. This episode is a great listen for anyone who has thought they might want to join the ever-growing community of podcasters. Jordan also offers his take on what he thinks the impact of AI will be on the industry.

“...podcasting is one of the few mediums that we have left that is really focused on long-form versus short-form.” -Jordan Newman

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Reframing AI • Chloe Autio Jan 25, 2024

DC-based AI policy and governance expert, Chloe Autio, joins Niki in the studio to break down the state of play in Washington for AI regulations this year. They explore AI’s PR challenge, talk about the awkward optics of recent Congressional briefings, and Chloe explains why the term “artificial intelligence” conceals more than it reveals.

“It really should be more about not whether or not AI is going to take your job, but whether or not someone who uses and knows how to use AI will replace your job.” - Chloe Autio

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Tech'ed Up Welcome Trailer 2024 Jan 19, 2024

What’s happening on the frontlines of tech? Tune in to Tech'ed Up for zippy conversations about emerging technology hosted by industry veteran Niki Christoff.
From the C-Suite and Capitol Hill to AI and crypto, quantum computing to the decentralized internet, Niki breaks down the trends in tech to help savvy listeners get even smarter. Guests include experts, enthusiasts, regulators, policymakers, CEOs, and reporters.

Listen here or anywhere you get your podcasts to learn more from Niki and guests like SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, SeedAI Founder & President Austin Carson, Bloomberg podcast host & NY Times best-selling author Ashlee Vance, and Stellar Foundation CEO Denelle Dixon.

New episodes premiere bi-weekly on Thursdays. Subscribe for the latest episode on YouTube, follow on Instagram, or listen on your podcast app of choice.

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The Future of Digital Money • Matt Swinehart Jan 11, 2024

Managing Director at Rock Creek Global Advisors, Matt Swinehart, joins Niki in the studio to talk fintech and the future fate of the USD. Matt previews why alternatives to the US Dollar will be a hot topic globally in 2024, how the Libra project still impacts the way regulators are thinking about crypto, and shares his take on why the EU approaches tech regulation differently than the US. Niki shares her take on Bitcoin and what might have been and Matt forecasts the state of play for regulation with AI in fintech.

“There is no world, I think, in which crypto will ever be dead. Even when it comes to things like unbacked crypto, there is such momentum in the market that the goal of regulators is not to reduce that activity to zero.” - Matt Swinehart

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Profiles in Tech: Running at Walls • Meghan Joyce (Duckbill) Dec 28, 2023

Meghan Joyce, Co-Founder and CEO of AI startup Duckbill, joins Niki in the latest installment of our Profiles in Tech Series. She shares insights from her unconventional career path from the Treasury Department to raising venture capital for an early-stage Boston tech company with stops along the way at Bain Capital, Uber, and Oscar Healthcare. Niki and Meghan share their optimism for the incredible opportunities AI offers both businesses and consumers.

“What's so exciting as an entrepreneur in this space is the playing field is still wide open. It's not clear what the winning business model is going to be, where the clearest product market fit is, and that creates enormous potential. And I wouldn't be surprised if we see some many cycles of boom and bust here and a transformation of how we all think about AI.” -Meghan Joyce

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2023 Wrap-Up: Tech in DC • Bruce Mehlman Dec 14, 2023

Bruce Mehlman, founder of Mehlman Consulting, a bi-partisan lobbying juggernaut in Washington, DC, joins Niki in the studio to share his thoughts on 2023 and tech. They have a spirited conversation about politics, progress, and the state of play for tech regulation that touches on AI, tech’s impact on polling, and social media.

“AI's existence doesn't mean, okay, now we're all going to settle all those old hard things…it's not endemic to some kind of Washington dysfunction that we haven't solved it. It's that hard things are hard.” -Bruce Mehlman

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Tech at the CIA • Sheetal Patel Nov 30, 2023

Assistant Director of the CIA for the Transnational and Technology Mission Center, Sheetal Patel, joins Niki in the studio to talk about how important tech is to their mission, partnerships with the private sector, and why they are actively recruiting technologists. This episode looks back at technology that the CIA helped bring to our everyday lives and looks forward to the impact of AI.
“The global strategic competition in emerging technology is actually occurring in the private sector. And so, for us, for CIA in particular, but I would say for my intelligence community colleagues as well, working with the private sector has never been so important.” -Sheetal Patel

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Take Back Your Data • Martina Larkin (Project Liberty) Nov 16, 2023

CEO of Project Liberty, Martina Larkin, joins Niki remotely in the studio to talk about the non-profit’s hope for the future of the internet. They take a deep dive into data, decentralization, and how DSNP gives power back to the user. Niki makes the case for a digital backpack or ID and Martina shares how researchers, NGOs, and tech can partner together to make the next generation of the web safer for all.
"This is not about pointing out the harms or the problems only. This is really about building a solution and an alternative way forward." - Martina Larkin

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"Futureproof" • Kevin Roose (New York Times) Nov 02, 2023

New York Times reporter and host of the popular podcast Hard Fork, Kevin Roose, joins Niki remotely to talk all things AI and why he’s a “sub-optomist” when it comes to how this latest tech revolution will impact our future. He shares some tips from his book, Futureproof, about how to be resilient in the age of AI in the workplace. Turns out being more human is the answer because you just can’t out-hustle a machine.
“People should start thinking about it [AI] more as a tool for displacing tasks within jobs rather than entire jobs.” Kevin Roose

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Digital Ticket Era • Laura Dooley (StubHub) Oct 19, 2023

Laura Dooley, Head of Global Government Relations at StubHub, sits down with Niki in the studio to talk about the tech behind ticket pricing, why competition in the ticketing industry is so important for consumers, and highlights some smart and reasonable paths for policy solutions that will empower consumers and fans.

"When you buy a ticket, it should be yours. That's our point of view. Do what you want with it. Unfortunately, that's not how it works in the status quo." - Laura Dooley

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Fintech in D.C. • Penny Lee & Amena Ross Oct 05, 2023

Niki is joined by Penny Lee, President & CEO of the Financial Technology Association and Amena Ross, Head of Global Policy at CashApp for a fintech coffee klatch: What’s brewing in DC for fintech? They have a lively conversation about open banking, the fate of the CFPB, and data privacy. Amena explains why screen scraping is a good thing and Penny makes the case for keeping America in the lead when it comes to fintech regulation.
"Data is like the new oil." -Amena Ross

"We need to have a federal data privacy law that clearly spells out what you can and cannot do with that data." - Penny Lee

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Tech’ed Up Turns 2! Sep 21, 2023

Niki looks back at the last two years of Tech’ed Up and shares some of her favorite moments from the podcast. This episode highlights engaging clips from episodes featuring Bloomberg reporter Ashlee Vance, US presidential candidate and former Congressman Will Hurd, Washingtonian Tech Titan 2023 Amy Gilliland of GDIT, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Denelle Dixon, CEO of the Stellar Development Foundation, and many more.

Listen in as Niki and guests explore all things tech: covering emerging technology from AI to crypto, speculating about government regulation, and geeking out about the future of tech in general.

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Profiles in Tech: From Oxford to Reddit • Jessica Ashooh Sep 07, 2023

Senior Director of Policy at Reddit, Jessica Ashooh, joins Niki remotely to talk about her non-traditional path to Silicon Valley - from earning a Ph.D. in International relations, to working in Abu Dhabi and at think tanks. They take a quick dive into how Reddit works, why its community is so passionate about governance, and, of course, talk cat subreddit threads.
"I would say that Reddit is the democratic curation engine of the internet." -Jessica Ashooh

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Explore just a few of the many subreddit threads about cats:
https://www.reddit.com/r/blackcats/
https://www.reddit.com/r/airplaneears/
https://www.reddit.com/r/CatsStandingUp/
https://www.reddit.com/r/catsofukraine/

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Smart Guns 101 • Kai Kloepfer (Biofire) Aug 24, 2023

CEO of Biofire, Kai Kloepfer, joins Niki remotely in the studio to talk smart guns. They explore the technology that helps make these guns a safer option for home protection, the unique challenges of developing deep tech hardware, and some sobering statistics that keep Kai and his team motivated to help with one small part of a major, uniquely American, public health epidemic.
"…there's a big need for applying American innovation and ingenuity to all sorts of areas." -Kai Kloepfer

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Is Crypto Back from the Dead? • John Rizzo Aug 10, 2023

Former U.S. Treasury spokesperson, current SVP of Public Affairs at Clyde Group, and crypto commentator John Rizzo joins Niki in the studio to talk about the state of play of crypto. Is there a future for crypto in America or will unelected bureaucrats successfully push the industry overseas? They discuss the broader regulatory climate and how other emerging technology, such as AI, could find itself in a similar deathmatch in Washington.

"I think the AI industry is in real danger of getting run over by Washington if they don't make fast moves now." -John Rizzo

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DC & Tech Hot Topics • Ashley Gold (Axios) Jul 27, 2023

Axios reporter Ashley Gold joins Niki in the studio for a lighthearted conversation about what Big Tech should expect from Congress this year. They talk Federal Trade Commission dynamics, Ticketmaster drama, and foreign investments in the United States. Ashley shares her insights as the lead reporter for Axios’ Pro Tech Policy newsletter: Who’s interested and what’s what? And Niki cracks wise about Taylor Swift, Vrbo, and TikTok (of course).
"We're still talking about AI at a pretty high level, but the level of seriousness is something I haven't seen with other tech policy issues for a while." -Ashley Gold

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AI, Hacks & Cyber Attacks • Paul Rosenzweig Jul 13, 2023

Former Department of Homeland Security official, Paul Rosenzweig, joins Niki in the studio to share his thoughts on AI, hacking, and national security. They dish some stories from the past and take a look to the future of big tech in China, talk AI hallucinations, and Paul shares his thoughts on what Congress should be doing to respond to the changing - and rapidly evolving - national security landscape.

"It {AI] already has its own problems with hallucinations and things like that. Imagine if the hallucinations weren't accidental but were forced upon us by outside bad actors?" - Paul Rosenzweig

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Race for Space • Ashlee Vance (Bloomberg) Jun 29, 2023

NY Times best-selling author, reporter, and host of Hello World, Ashlee Vance joins Niki to talk about the wild and wonderful characters driving the new space race. He shares stories from his new book ‘When the Heavens Went on Sale’ and why he believes this new space gold rush will change life as we know it.

"...if you're interested in money and, and sort of power and what's going on, low Earth orbit is, is where all the action is." -Ashlee Vance

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The Deep & Dark Web • Matteo Tomasini (District 4 Labs) Jun 15, 2023

Cyber defense expert, Matteo Tomasini, joins Niki on the podcast to shine a light into the deepest, darkest parts of the web. He explains the differences between the “Clearnet" aka the surface web, deep web, and the dark web. While they dive into the dangerous - and legitimate - motivations for anonymous web browsing, Matteo also provides helpful tips for protecting your own privacy online.

"…the hard part is a lot of people just don't know. So, they just kind of will blindly visit websites, click on things, allow location, do this without understanding what the repercussions of that are." -Matteo Tomasini

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"Deep Fake Drake" • Jessica Powell (AudioShake) Jun 01, 2023

CEO and co-founder of AudioShake, Jessica Powell, joins Niki remotely to talk AI and music. Her company created tech that has helped artists and fans alike since before we ever heard of a musical “deep fake.” In this episode, they chat karaoke, video game music, and Jessica breaks down what a stem is - as well as the creative impact AI will have on the music industry as we know it.
"…what more logical next iteration of fandom and fan engagement than trying to create music with your favorite artist's voice, right?....I can see a whole infrastructure that could easily spring up to support all that. " - Jessica Powell

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Kids & Social Media Addiction • Previn Warren May 18, 2023

Washington-based litigator, Previn Warren, joins Niki in the studio to talk about his law firm’s multi-district litigation against social media giants Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. They discuss the growing epidemic of social media addiction among teens and tweens, and its impact on kids’ mental health, their developing brains, and bodies.
"…we [Motley Rice]were kind of at the forefront of fighting the tobacco wars and preventing cigar companies from marketing to kids. Right? So, we won that fight in the nineties. And to me, this is really the sequel." -Previn Warren

**This episode contains some serious subject matter including mentions of suicide, eating disorders, and violent sexual social media content.**

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Crypto for Good (for real) • Denelle Dixon (Stellar Development Foundation) May 04, 2023

Denelle Dixon, CEO of the Stellar Foundation, joins Niki in the studio to talk about the real world, right-now positive use cases blockchain technology is having on the underbanked. They explore the work the foundation is doing with the UNHCR and IRC in Ukraine, their partnership with MoneyGram, and why you should care. Denelle shares some sage advice for the industry on how to better communicate with regulators.

"I actually feel like we're gonna make this, we're gonna make a shift here in the United States because we have to, because I don't wanna see technology leave this country. I don't wanna see operators leave this country. And I, I actually don't think that they will if we can just have those conversations and listen to one another." -Denelle Dixon

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AI Deep Dive • Dorothy Chou (Google DeepMind) Apr 20, 2023

Head of Public Affairs for DeepMind, Dorothy Chou, is in Washington from London and joins Niki in the Tech’ed Up Studio to talk about the massive impact AI is already having on science, work, and the future of our economy. They cover the hard questions we all should be asking as this tech develops at breakneck speed, discuss the role of government in shaping this emerging tech, and highlight the importance of wrangling all kinds of people to shape the data and norms that underpin AI.
“There needs to be a real renegotiation of what all of our roles are in this process as technology makes it into society. And I think that the dialogue between scientists and policymakers, it's never been more important.” -Dorothy Chou

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Cyber Safety • Debbie Taylor Moore (IBM) Apr 06, 2023

Cybersecurity veteran and VP of Global Security at IBM Consulting, Debbie Taylor Moore, joins Niki in the studio for an eye-opening discussion on the future of cybersecurity threats, the need for cyber literacy, and practical advice on how to protect yourself, your data, and your home online in the event of a critical breach or outage.
"On the flip side, the bad guys or threat actors can use it [AI] for propagating disinformation, for propagating bots, malware, denial of service attacks, at much greater scale and speed, and with much greater efficiency." -Debbie Taylor Moore

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Bye, Trolls • Tracy Chou (Block Party) Mar 23, 2023

Block Party CEO & Founder, Tracy Chou, joins Niki remotely to talk about what her team is doing to make the internet a safer place and why she’s passionate about their mission. Her app puts control back in the hands of social media users using block lists, lock-out filters, and other tips and tricks to combat trolls. The conversation covers why the social media giants aren’t incentivized to do this work themselves, what action is needed for third-party app innovation to thrive, and what, as users (and people) our options are - and should be.
"…it [API access] is actually a win-win-win where the platforms don't have to invest their product and engineering resources in building out the surface area of safety product. And it's some stuff that would never make sense for them to build." -Tracy Chou
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Online Speech & The Supreme Court • Emily Birnbaum (Bloomberg) Mar 09, 2023

Bloomberg reporter Emily Birnbaum visits Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio for a rollicking conversation about online speech and the U.S. Supreme Court’s forthcoming opinion on Gonzalez v. Google. This conversation covers the Justices’ overall vibes, the limitations of Section 230, Niki’s observations from inside the courtroom, and Emily’s assessment of the stakes for tech companies.

…it's interesting because it's, like, Google's power and influence actually did affect who was able to argue for the plaintiffs in this case." -Emily Birnbaum

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Making Sense of the Metaverse • Denise Zheng (Accenture) Feb 23, 2023

Denise Zheng, Managing Director for Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the CEO at Accenture, joins Niki in the studio to highlight ways the metaverse is already being put to work in business. She goes beyond the jargon of XR, AI, and web3 and explains what the metaverse is and why she thinks right now is a pivotal moment in the development of a tech that is sure to shape our future.

"We need to design the metaverse so that it's human-centric, right? But from a privacy, security, and safety standpoint, we found that consumers care about that the most. And that means, I think, companies need to lean forward, they need to lean further forward than they have in the past…" -Denise Zheng

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“Facts Favor the Optimist” • Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) Feb 09, 2023

Former Congressman and presidential candidate, John Delaney, joins Niki in the studio to discuss bipartisanship, practical policymaking, and answering the call to serve. From investing in de-carbonization projects to crafting AI policy, from banning gas stoves to TikTok, they cover it all in this wide-ranging conversation.

"I think technological improvement, by any measure, has improved the condition of humanity across time, full stop. And it's doing that as we speak today. There's no question about it." -Rep. John Delaney

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Chips, China & TikTok • Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) Jan 26, 2023

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) joins Niki from Capitol Hill to take a deep dive into tech issues facing the 118th Congress. Specifically, Sen. Warner lays out the national security risks the United States faces from the Chinese Communist Party’s involvement in one of America’s favorite apps: TikTok. This conversation includes a look back at last year’s passage of the CHIPs Act and a look forward to his potential bipartisan social media legislation.

"…look at what the kids in China are getting on their equivalent TikTok accounts versus what our kids are seeing. That shows the power of the algorithms in terms of how they can drive certain content." -Senator Mark Warner

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Crypto Aftershocks: Live from CES • Sheila Warren Jan 12, 2023

Taped live from the main stage at the CES conference in Las Vegas, CEO of Crypto Council for Innovation Sheila Warren and Niki chat about all things crypto. After the crypto earthquake of FTX and the beginning of another crypto winter, what aftershocks does the industry face? Sheila shares why she’s still a true believer in the blockchain.
"It [blockchain technology] is an architecture. It is an infrastructure. What we do with it is gonna be up to all of us, but preserving it and ensuring it remains as open, as decentralized as possible, I think that is very much critical. " -Sheila Warren

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The Business of Cyber • Stefanie Drysdale Dec 29, 2022

Security start-up Prescient's VP of Cyber, Stefanie Drysdale, joins Niki in the studio to talk insider threats, whistleblowers, and bug bounties. She gives a pulse check on developments inside and outside the security business, including her fears for the future of the cyber industry if we lose focus on who the bad guys are.
"I always tell people that if you touch technology, that you are somewhat responsible for being a cyber expert, at least to a degree." -Stefanie Drysdale

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Workplace Mental Health • Malcom Glenn Dec 15, 2022

CEO of MG Equity Consulting and New America Fellow, Malcom Glenn, joins Niki in the studio to talk about the role businesses can play in promoting mental health and equity for employees. They touch on some popular misconceptions about Gen Z, why “quiet-quitting” is a misnomer, and the business case for doing right by people.Malcom shares some insights from his days at Uber and Niki explains why she’ll always be a Googler at heart.
"Sometimes, doing things for certain communities actually helps everyone in your business…" -Malcom Glenn

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Is Tech Policy Passé? • Karen Kornbluh Dec 01, 2022

Former Ambassador and Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, Karen Kornbluh, joins Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio for a rollicking conversation about whether tech policy is passé, the ongoing Twitter implosion, and misinformation being a loser. This conversation covers the erosion of trust in institutions, cynicism as a by product of social media, and the power of storytelling to combat both.
"I hope we can get past the techlash to see it as technology as we used to, which is with this sense of optimism and magic." -Karen Kornbluh

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Crypto Shockwaves • Dante Disparte (Circle) Nov 17, 2022

Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy at Circle joins Niki in the studio hot on the heels of the FTX meltdown in this episode of Tech’ed Up. They discuss the need for regulation, the role of stablecoins, and the argument for optimism about the future of crypto.
"…you cannot say as a representative of the people that you care about protecting consumers and markets and do nothing about sensible legislation and sensible regulation for the industry in the United States." -Dante Disparte

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Is AI Becoming Sentient? • Nitasha Tiku (Washington Post) Nov 03, 2022

Washington Post reporter Nitasha Tiku joins Niki remotely to discuss the latest innovations in AI. We get to know LaMDA, the AI a Google engineer believes is conscious, and discuss the brand new text-to-image generator, DALL-E. We also wax philosophical about the impact of sci-fi on our understanding of AI technology. Nitasha dives beneath the fun and viral consumer developments in AI to explore what’s lurking beneath.
"When you think about that's what's undergirding this generative technology that you want to use to power the next phase of the internet it should make you pause and think." -Nitasha Tiku

LaMDA "The Google engineer who thinks its AI has come alive"
DALL-E "AI can now create any image in seconds, bringing wonder and danger"
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YouTube’s "Rise to World Domination” • Mark Bergen (Bloomberg) Oct 20, 2022

Bloomberg reporter Mark Bergen joins Niki remotely to discuss his new book “Like, Comment, Subscribe: Inside YouTube’s Chaotic Rise to World Domination.” We dive into the behind-the-scenes impact Google has had on shaping YouTube into the search juggernaut it is today. Mark details the outsized influence YouTube has on the social media landscape while remaining a “sleeping giant” largely ignored by regulators and protected from much of the “techlash” its competitors have faced.

"My optimistic take is that all this new pressure on regulation could force YouTube to disclose and be a lot more transparent of a place." -Mark Bergen

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SEC v. Ripple • Stu Alderoty Oct 06, 2022

General Counsel of Ripple Labs, Stu Alderoty, joins Niki in the studio to discuss the need for Washington to establish regulatory clarity for digital assets. He takes listeners on a deep dive into how blockchain can simplify cross-border payments, the crypto industry’s appetite for clear regulations, and Ripple’s engagement in D.C. – including litigation with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“...we don't want to be free of regulation. We're not asking for this to be the Wild West. We want regulation, but we want regulation that is clear. And we want regulation that we can understand, and regulation that we can follow, and regulation that is suited to the technology.” - Stu Alderoty
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The Story of Grindr • Patrick Lenihan Sep 22, 2022

VP and Head of Global Communications at Grindr and long-time tech veteran, Patrick Lenihan, joins Niki remotely to talk about the iconic dating app. The company is both a “start-up” and one of the first-ever geospatial social networking applications…and now it’s preparing to go public. The conversation ranges from Grindr itself to the company’s business, mission, and current work to bring public health information to the LGBTQ+ community.
"It's a great business. It's got an amazing social mission. We've got awesome people." -Patrick Lenihan

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The Crypto Cavalry Has Arrived • Tory Newmyer (Washington Post) Sep 08, 2022

Washington Post reporter Tory Newmyer joins Niki in the studio to discuss his coverage of the crypto lobby’s full-court press in Washington. Tory’s watched and reported as the crypto lobby exploded within the last year. In this episode, he joins Niki to discuss what’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next for the industry’s expanding influence campaign.
"…it [the infrastructure bill] woke crypto up to this idea that Washington did, does present an existential threat. And you may not care about Washington. But Washington cares about you. And that is a realization that waves of the tech industry, I think have kind of gone through over the last 20 years. But crypto got it so fast." -Tory Newmyer

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TikTok: China’s Trojan Horse • FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Aug 25, 2022

Commissioner Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) joins Niki in the studio to discuss his concerns about the viral video app TikTok. Do TikTok’s data practices pose a threat to our national security by collecting and sharing information with the Chinese Community Party? In this episode, Commissioner Carr gives his take on the situation and the stakes.
"…that just exposed years of TikTok lobbying in D.C. as being nothing more than gaslighting. Because once this data is accessed from inside China, then can you bar the door? There's no protection. " -Brendan Carr

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"China Could Win a War in 72 Hours" • Sean Gourley (PrimerAI) Aug 11, 2022

Physicist and Rhodes Scholar, Sean Gourley, founded Primer, a start-up building mission-critical AI capabilities for the United States and its closest allies. He joins Niki in the studio to discuss Silicon Valley’s ambivalence about building and selling defense capabilities necessary to protect democracies. He explains how artificial intelligence is a “third offset” – following nuclear weapons and precision munitions – that could end a war in just 72 hours. And China is hyper-focused on overtaking the United States in this arms race.
“AI is a technology so powerful that the country that wields it will quickly defeat any opponent who does not.” -Sean Gourley

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Untangling the Supply Chain • VC Santosh Sankar Jul 28, 2022

Co-founder of venture capital firm Dynamo, Santosh Sankar, joins Niki from Chattanooga to explain how the supply chain became everyone’s business during the pandemic - and the solutions his portfolio companies are building to fix it.
“In the background has been this thing, supply chain, and when it works, we don't think about it. When it breaks down, there's a lot of concern, and there's a lot of conversation to be had.” -Santosh Sankar

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Blockchain Growing Pains • Kathleen Breitman (Tezos) Jul 14, 2022

Co-founder of Tezos, one of the first blockchains, Kathleen Breitman joins Niki from London to tell the story of the network she founded and her commitment to democratic governance in crypto. She also shares her thoughts on the risks of building a business dependent on a charismatic leader.
"Cryptocurrencies allow for something very unique to happen that we've been trying to solve for hundreds of years." -Kathleen Breitman

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Building Without Scaling Harm • Miriam Vogel (EqualAI) Jun 30, 2022

CEO of Equal AI and White House technology advisor, Miriam Vogel, joins Niki in the studio to discuss her work to reduce algorithmic bias in the deployment of artificial intelligence. In this episode, Miriam explains why this is a critical moment to make sure we are using AI as a solution to increase fairness and build trust, and not as a scaling function for harms that already exist.
“We have this critical moment here where we can take safeguards and make sure that we are using AI as a solution and not as a scaling function for harm.” -Miriam Vogel

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AgTech can Fix Farms • VC Connie Bowen Jun 16, 2022

Venture capitalist and AgTech (aka agriculture technology) investor, Connie Bowen, is raising capital to help fix some of the toughest challenges facing food systems and farming. She has some straight talk for Silicon Valley investors who are pouring money into agri-farm tech that just isn’t going to work.
"I think you’ll see a lot of venture capitalists investing in robots that are gonna fully automate farming, and that's not going to work. That is my hot take." -Connie Bowen

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Making Cyberflashing a Crime • Payton Iheme (Bumble) Jun 02, 2022

Bumble's Americas public policy lead Payton Iheme joins Niki Christoff in the studio to discuss the company campaign to criminalize cyberflashing. More than half of women between 18-24 years old have received an unwanted, unsolicited lewd digital image, but that behavior is only illegal in two states. In-person flashing is a crime in all 50 states and it's time for laws to update to protect the digital world too.
"The internet is the economic driver of our generation and it will be going forward. Why should a large percentage of the human population have one experience on it and the others have another? " -Payton Iheme

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Elon Musk's Twitter Deal • Kate Conger (New York Times) May 19, 2022

New York Times technology reporter, Kate Conger, covers social media and the gig economy based in Silicon Valley. She joins Niki in the studio in D.C. at the height of the Twitter drama to discuss what’s going on with Elon Musk, his bid to buy the social media platform, and what it’s like to report on tech during high-stakes moments.
"...we're talking about sort of an ideological shift for the business and also a financial shift and a business shift." -Kate Conger

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Solving Crimes on the Blockchain • Jennifer Vander Veer (TRM Labs) May 12, 2022

Former FBI agent, Jennifer Vander Veer, now runs product strategy at TRM Labs. She joins Niki to discuss what it was like to be one of the first cops on the digital currency beat, how criminals think about emerging technology, and separating fact from fiction when it comes to information retained on distributed ledgers. She believes that blockchain technology could ultimately lead to a safer financial system.
“If you want crypto to become adopted fully and mainstream, you're going to have to have the kind of security and regulations and risk mitigation in place that the rest of the financial sector has.” -Jennifer Vander Veer

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Building U.S. Mission-Focused Tech • Amy Gilliland Apr 28, 2022

President of General Dynamics Information Technology, Amy Gilliland, is now the president of General Dynamics Information Technology. Having served for a decade as a U.S. Navy officer, Amy joins Niki in the studio to discuss her passion for mission-oriented tech. Her leadership is focused on hiring veterans, building cool tools with AI and high-performance computing, and focusing on employee mental health. She always asks, “How are you...really?”

"Why do we come to work? Why do we do what we do? The mission…does excite employees. And to that extent, they can understand that it's pretty cool, cutting edge technology that we are working on." -Amy Gilliland

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Battling Big Tech Backlash • Author Nirit Weiss-Blatt Apr 07, 2022

Author and academic, Dr. Nirit Weiss-Blatt, Ph.D, applies AI modeling to analyze large data sets of tech coverage to answer the question: Why is there a backlash gainst Big Tech and is their comms strategy working? Her first book, The Techlash and Tech Crisis Communication, chronicles how mainstream coverage of the tech industry shifted from a long period of utopianism to our current state of dystopianism.

"We've been over utopian, but we are clearly over-dystopian now. And we should seek a more nuanced discussion." - Dr. Nirit Weiss-Blatt

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"No, Your Computer Isn't Listening to You" • Austin Carson (SeedAI) Mar 31, 2022

AI enthusiast and founder of SeedAI, Austin Carson, started a non-profit to get artificial intelligence projects launched in new and diverse communities across America. We talk about “machines thinking for themselves,” bias in code (and in the world), and Austin finally answers the burning question: Are our computers eavesdropping?
"Just like we are, it (the internet) aggregates our good things and aggregates our bad things and that lays us kind of bare in front of ourselves in the world." -Austin Carson

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Crypto 101: Understanding Stablecoins • Chris Grieco Mar 17, 2022

Attorney Chris Grieco is General Counsel for a crypto startup that has created a stablecoin protocol. An alumnus of the Department of Justice, White House Counsel's office, and a former federal prosecutor, Chris knows his way around the corridors of Washington. In this episode, he joins Niki at the Tech'ed Up studio to explore the concepts of stablecoins, a digital dollar, and "decentralized finance" AKA DeFi.

"…another kind of theme of crypto, I think, is that people don't necessarily take your word for anything, you, y’know, have to be able to prove it on the blockchain." Chris Grieco

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Ethereum Explained • Laura Shin Mar 10, 2022

Crypto journalist, podcaster, and author Laura Shin joins Niki from New York to talk about her new book, “The Cryptopians: Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze.” She recounts the origins of Ethereum, the second most important blockchain, and the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap after Bitcoin, and sheds light on the unlikely founder, a teenager named Vitalik Buterin.
"I did not realize when I started reporting it. However, by the end, it was very clear that this book was also a coming of age story for Vitalik (Ethereum creator). " -Laura Shin

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Start-Up: Telehealth for Women • Chelsea Kohler Mar 03, 2022

Digital health start-up, Favor, is on a mission to make reproductive care more accessible and convenient, especially to members of Gen Z. Chief Marketing Officer, Chelsea Kohler, joins Niki Christoff from San Francisco to break down the latest trends in digital health and to discuss how the pandemic has shifted attitudes - and regulations - around telehealth.
"I can't imagine a world in which any other medication that people are on for three plus decades still needs to be picked up every month." -Chelsea Kohler

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Start-Up: Refinancing Auto Loans Online • Kevin Bennett Feb 24, 2022

CEO of fintech startup Caribou Kevin Bennett joins Niki in the studio to lament the ‘double marginalizing experience’ of buying a car – being treated like crap and paying for the privilege.. Luckily, his D.C-based company is here to help.

"We do think that the period and the time and the days of cars being reasonably priced is probably over." -Kevin Bennett

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Parenting in the Algorithm Age • Kat Mauler (Google) Feb 17, 2022

Tech industry veteran Kat Mauler joins Niki in the studio to talk about the challenges–and opportunities–of parenting in the age of smartphones and what it’s like trying to raise ‘full-stack humans’ whose personalities aren't driven by what the algorithms reward.
"What I don't want is to think of this as being dystopian. What I want is to think of this as being an opportunity. We know that the world will be different in 30 years." -Kat Mauler

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Self-Driving Hits the Highway • Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli (Aurora) Feb 10, 2022

Vice President of Partner Products, Programs & Operations of autonomous vehicle startup Aurora Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli joins Niki in the studio. They discuss how self-driving technology could transform our highways, help with our long-haul trucker shortage, and shore up America’s supply chain.
“You can build the best technology in the world, but if the market isn't ready for it or doesn't want it, then, you know, what's the point?” -Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli

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Antitrust: Breaking Up Big Tech • Ashley Gold (Axios) Jan 27, 2022

Technology policy reporter Ashley Gold covers antitrust news for Axios based in Washington, D.C. She joins Niki in the studio to discuss the U.S. federal government’s crusade against the dominance of Big Tech', and to answer the question: Do voters really want these regulations, or has Congress lost the plot?

" …we're still in sort of a wait-and-see mode to see whether any of these actions will result in fundamentally changing how tech operates, but tech is more spooked right now than they have been in a couple of years" -Ashley Gold

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Lessons from Silicon Valley's C-Suite • Ann Hiatt Jan 20, 2022

Former right-hand to legendary tech CEOs Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt Ann Hiatt joins Niki remotely to tease out the lessons she learned from her high-powered, high-stakes career spent at some of the world’s most prominent tech companies. Ann is also the author of Bet on Yourself: Recognize, Own, and Implement Breakthrough Opportunitiesand works as a leadership strategy consultant for entrepreneurs around the world.
"I'm a big believer, especially if you're working at that pace, that your job needs to give as much to you, as you give to it." -Ann Hiatt

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The Case for Digital Currency • Deana Burke Jan 13, 2022

Deana Burke is a communications partner at Celo, a mobile-first blockchain enabling peer-to-peer payments. She joins Niki Christoff and makes the case for Bitcoin: Why should we care about it at all? Deana is passionate about making sure people who don’t work in finance or technology can participate in this “revolution in money.” She also explains what the heck are DAOs.
"I think that the lesson… is that you don't have to fully understand everything that's happening in crypto. You don't have to understand every term or every idea that you come across in order to participate." -Deana Burke

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Satellites & Space Junk • Charles Miller (Lynk) Dec 23, 2021

Co-founder and CEO of Lynk Charles Miller joins Niki Christoff in the studio to talk about billionaires traveling to space (unpopular opinion: we're for it), space junk, and how 5G is not a solution to 0G. His start-up is launching a network of satellites that will connect every smartphone on the planet to broadband coverage, filling in the dead zones.
"There's lots of things you can do in space that will save lives and change lives on earth." -Charles Miller

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AI: What do people think? • Leo Rees Dec 16, 2021

British tech advocacy consultancy, Milltown Partners, recently completed a first-of-its-kind study on international attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Director of Technology Policy, Leo Rees, says where you live - U.S., UK, France, or Germany - has a lot to do with how you feel about AI. Bonus: Stay tuned until the end of the episode, when Leo tells Niki about his adventure buying his first NFT.
"I think that people are really optimistic about the potential of AI when they think about challenges that they know are currently too big for us with our current tools to take on and take forward. " -Leo Rees

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WTF is Web3? • Sheila Warren (Crypto Council for Innovation) Dec 09, 2021

Founder of the blockchain and digital assets team at the World Economic Forum Sheila Warren joins Niki Christoff for a conversation about web3. What is it, what does it have to do with the metaverse, and why is it all over the news? Sheila, who is the inaugural CEO of the Crypto Council on Innovation, makes the case that the potential of decentralization lies in individual empowerment and connection.
"You know, there's something really big that's happening here. And I think no matter where you are in the world, people have a sense of that and they know that it's coming through a digital environment." -Sheila Warren

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Making Sense of the Metaverse • Emily Birnbaum (POLITICO) Dec 02, 2021

Tech lobbying and "influence" reporter Emily Birnbaum joins Niki Christoff in the studio for a quick conversation about what the metaverse is, why Facebook changed its name to Meta, and how close we are to this virtual 3D future. Do we really have to go there?

"…If they [Facebook] dominate the metaverse, if they're one of the corporations that gets in there early, then they are going to dictate the rules of the road for other people, or potentially could." -Emily Birnbaum

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Battling Disinformation • Camille François Nov 18, 2021

Disinformation expert Camille François sits down in the studio with Niki to explain what a troll farm is, how they operate, and the business of building fake online influencers. Plus, what's the difference between misinformation and disinformation? It's a game of cat and mouse between bad actors and teams trying to make social media safer.
"How the hell are you going to know whether something that's fake has been propagated by someone who's there trying to deceive you, or whether it's your uncle again, who really should get off Facebook?" -Camille François

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Cleaning Up Cyberspace • Niloo Razi Howe Nov 11, 2021

Cybersecurity expert and tech investor Niloo Razi Howe visits the studio to talk with Niki Christoff about all things cyberspace -- from cyberbullying and ransomware to disinformation and surveillance. It's important to our national security mission that smart people engineer solutions to these problems.
"We have a distributed cyber Pearl Harbor happening. There's so much coming at us from so many dimensions. It's time to wake up." -Niloo Razi Howe

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Surviving a North Korean Cyber Attack • Stevan Bernard Nov 04, 2021

Retired head of global security for Sony Pictures Stevan Bernard wrangled a targeted North Korean cyber attack. In this episode, he walks host Niki Christoff through the hours, days, and weeks after state-sponsored hackers infiltrated the corporate computer network. The conversation covers cybercrime, gunslingers on the Dark Web, the Lazarus Group, multi-factor authentication, password managers, and the importance of having a survival mentality.
"If you think that your employees are not also victims when you have a cyber attack, you're mistaken." -Stevan Bernard

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Regulating Digital Currency • SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce Oct 28, 2021

Commissioner Hester Peirce of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) joins Niki Christoff in the studio to chat cryptocurrency and regulators: the players and the stakes. Affectionately known as "CryptoMom," Commissioner Peirce outlines her vision of protecting investors and consumers while fostering new crypto projects.
“It is understandable that there's focus on regulation at the start because we've really dragged our heels and haven't provided a clear regulatory framework.”-Hester Peirce

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What are NFTs? • Macey Smith Oct 21, 2021

In the second episode of our Crypto 101 series, blockchain expert Macey Smith, joins host Niki Christoff in the studio to break down non-fungible tokens (aka NFTs) for those of us who aren’t billionaire art collectors, expert gamers, or Mark Cuban. Niki and Macey chat about the Ethereum blockchain, OpenSea marketplace, CryptoPunk NFTs...and a vision for how smart contracts can create a vibrant marketplace for creators and collectors in the not-too-distant future.
At the end of the day, people just like to own things that they think are cool and that they can brag about and whether it's something physical or not- digital is sexy now, y’know? - Macey Smith

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Crypto 101: The Basics of Blockchain • Jamie Smith Oct 14, 2021

White House deputy press secretary and former Bitfury exec Jamie Smith joins Niki Christoff in the studio to explain the basics of blockchain technology. She says it’s time for all of us to start paying attention to this space. And it's totally okay if you don’t understand it yet.
"I would say to tech companies who work in this space: it's time to be, you know, a full grownup. Avoiding Washington is not possible. It is not an option." -Jamie Smith

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AI: Winning the New Cold War • Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) Oct 07, 2021

Former Congressman and ex-CIA operative, Will Hurd, joins Niki Christoff in the studio to talk about the power and potential of artificial intelligence. The conversation covers the basics of AI and 5G, the Chinese government's global ambitions, why Rep. Hurd believes we're in the midst of a new Cold War, and how he thinks the United States can catch up. His new book, American Reboot, expands on this vision for U.S. competitiveness.
“We have AI now that can help farmers grow more crops, use less water, use less land. Hello?! Why would we not try to push that and move at lightspeed in order to pull that off?”- Will Hurd

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Facebook: "An Ugly Truth" • Cecilia Kang (New York Times) Sep 30, 2021

New York Times technology reporter and Pulitzer finalist, Cecilia Kang, joins host Niki Christoff in the studio to talk all things Facebook. Taped the same day Congress grilled company executives over Instagram's effect on kids, this conversation covers Facebook's unusual corporate structure and how its apps are used around the world. Bonus: hot takes on Mark Zuckerberg’s tweenage ambition to be a modern-day Roman emperor.
“I think the key here is that they don't for a moment tap the brakes. [Facebook’s] goal continues to be: more and more engagement and staying ahead and growth and scaling.” -Cecila Kang

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