The Decoded Podcast

Latest Episodes:

An exit interview with Trump’s AI policy adviser Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

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 bubble.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0KEjTXFuS0/

Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/MHh0nBFuwg/

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Data will soon be less secure. What can Washington do? Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

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 sizing up President Donald Trump’s new AI Action Plan.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/SuM3BuGKCm/

Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/LT5xCqqxIr/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Silicon Valley enters the space race Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

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 federal budget cuts.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/M3oIpqDzG6/

Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0KEjTXFuS0/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump’s AI plan is a gift to Silicon Valley — with a catch Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

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 with Neil Chilson, the head of AI policy at the libertarian Abundance Institute.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/fAomeYxofK/

Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ctxDXxrE1W/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Vatican’s AI battle Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

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 regulators have a duty to make tough decisions.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ctxDXxrE1W/

Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/baUrypCivw/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do Americans need digital IDs? Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

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 host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0KEjTXFuS0/

Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/baUrypCivw/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple’s China dilemma Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

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 trade tensions that have upended a decades-old business model hinged on a “Made in China” export production model.

Phelim Kine is POLITICO’s DC-based China and Indo-Pacific Affairs correspondent.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ctxDXxrE1W/

Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0KEjTXFuS0/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trumpification of the FCC Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

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 ahead.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joseph Gordon-Levitt on AI, Hollywood and owning your ‘digital self’ Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

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 from policymakers.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can the South win the AI race? Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

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 Washington, from the proposed moratorium on state AI laws to the crackdown on international student visas, could impact his state.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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