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TechTank — Technology
TechTank

TechTank is a biweekly podcast from The Brookings Institution exploring the most consequential technology issues of our time. From artificial intelligence and racial bias in algorithms, to Big Tech, the future of work, and the digital divide, TechTank takes abstract ideas and makes them accessible. Moderators Dr. Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West speak with leading technology experts and policymakers to share new data, ideas, and policy solutions to address the challenges of our new digital world.

Sign up to receive the TechTank newsletter for more research and analysis from the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copyright: © Brookings Institution

Latest Episodes:

Weighing the existential risks of AI and the proposals to prevent them Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Recent warnings about the possible existential threats some say AI may pose to humanity have led to heightened debates about how we should address these concerns. Policymakers are now more seriously weighing what actions from both government and business are needed to reassure a nervous public that AI is safe, reliable, and helpful. In this episode, Darrell West is joined by fellow Brookings colleagues Tom Wheele and Bill Galston to discuss potential paths forward and what they mean for both safety and competition.

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Bans on screen time will uniquely affect students of color Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Conversations about the importance of getting children access to technology have morphed into efforts to remove devices from the classroom and restrict kids’ access to social media. Yet, the discussions leading up to these bans frequently lack participation from youth and an assessment of cultural norms. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Meisha Porter, Desmond Upton Patton, and Ashley Stewart to address what this means for students of different demographics and how more informed approaches might look.

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The guiding objective for addressing cyber risk Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Cyber risk in an interconnected environment is increasingly complex for organizations to assess and address. Navigating such challenges elevates the question of vendor concentration, which can introduce certain risks but also provide important strengths. In this episode, guest host Stephanie Pell is joined by Diana Burley and Rhea Siers to discuss their recent paper, which argues that resilience should be an organization’s guiding objective.

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AI and toddlers: The impacts on early development Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

As AI becomes more ubiquitous in our lives, babies and toddlers are also interacting with it more. But it's unclear how the technology could affect children in this critical stage of development. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Sweta Shah and Kathy Hirsh-Pasek of Brookings' Center for Universal Education to discuss their findings as part of a series called, "Generation AI starts early.

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The importance of investing in space infrastructure with Bridgit Mendler and Mariel Borowitz Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

The space economy is accelerating at a rapid pace with advances in space tourism, mining, exploration, communications, and defense, but to expand upon these activities, the U.S. needs to invest in ground stations and space infrastructure to help commercial firms take advantage of the growing opportunities. In this episode, co-host Darrell West is joined by Bridgit Mendler of Northwood Space and Mariel Borowitz of the Georgia Institute of Technology to discuss the importance of these investments and how the government can best support new advancements.

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How robotics is reshaping manufacturing Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Technological advances are reshaping manufacturing processes, and robotics, in particular, are important to improve efficiency and advance military preparedness. Yet there are questions about what robotics can do and what governments and businesses should be doing to accelerate these technologies. In this episode, co-host Darrell West is joined by Suzy Teele of the ARM Institute to discuss these questions and her work on advancing innovations.

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How technology can help save democracy Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Technology is accelerating rapidly, raising concerns about how artificial intelligence and other tools are altering communications, decisionmaking, and governance. Yet, these important conversations often overlook how technology can strengthen democratic institutions by expanding participation and improving service delivery. In this episode, co-host Darrell West is joined by Beth Simone Noveck to discuss these possibilities explored in her new book, “Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy.”

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Maintaining privacy and security with connected cars May 04, 2026

Show notes

Cars and trucks are being digitally connected through online sensors, safety devices, and entertainment systems, leading some observers to call vehicles today "smart phones on wheels." These features offer tremendous convenience for drivers and passengers, though the ubiquitous connections raise questions about privacy, security, legal liability, and consumer protection. In this episode, Darrell West is joined by Ian Barlow to discuss connected vehicles and opportunities to protect consumers.

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How should we approach chatbots' mental health and privacy concerns? Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

Large language models are now marketed for more than just efficiency—some companies are encouraging them for more personal use cases, such as health questions or companionship. These uses carry some privacy and mental health concerns, which lawmakers are currently trying to address. In this episode, guest host Josie Stewart is joined by Shae Gardner and Sydney Saubestre to discuss these approaches and what else we need to know to best address various harms.

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Teens are using AI—but not how we think Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

A recent survey examined how U.S. teens use and view AI, finding the majority have used chatbots for schoolwork or searching for information. Teens reported varying opinions about how AI would impact them personally versus society, and these feelings and use cases varied across certain demographics. In this episode, Co-host Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Monica Anderson, co-author of the study, to discuss these findings and how they relate to past studies on teens and technology.

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