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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:

Does the Anthropic–Pentagon feud mean the end of responsible AI? Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

In February, Anthropic faced an ultimatum from the Pentagon to provide unrestricted use of its AI models. When the company refused, the defense secretary labeled it as a "supply-chain risk" and soon after entered into a contract with OpenAI. In this episode, guest host Josie Stewart is joined by Stephanie Pell and Valerie Wirtschafter to discuss this feud, how it may affect perceptions of AI, and additional questions around who controls AI systems and more broadly how they are used within the federal government.

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

Going back to the moon Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

The U.S. will soon launch a crewed ship to circle the moon and test equipment for takeoff and reentry, raising interesting questions about space exploration and the role of private companies. In this episode, co-host Darrell West is joined by Casey Dreier of the Planetary Society to discuss this mission and the China-U.S. rivalry over space.

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

What to expect from the India AI Impact Summit Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

India will host the latest in a series of global AI summits this month, marking the first of these convenings to take place in the Global South. The event will feature keynotes, panels, and an expo of deployable AI applications—all with a focus on impact. In this episode, guest host Brooke Tanner is joined by Brookings scholars Elham Tabassi and Cameron Kerry to discuss their expectations for the summit.

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

Tech outlooks for 2026 Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

From advances in generative AI to crackdowns on kids' use of social media, various discussions around technology are likely to continue or expand in 2026. This includes questions about how states and the federal government might regulate these technologies and what areas will be at the forefront of legislation. In this episode, co-hosts Darrell West and Nicol Turner Lee share their thoughts on what's ahead for tech in 2026.

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

Universities tackled digital inclusion—now they are accelerating AI use Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

Some surveys show the majority of college students are using AI for academics, and several institutions are also embracing the technology, looking for the best ways to make the technology accessible and understandable for all. In this episode, co-host Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Lev Gonick to discuss these efforts and how they connect to prior work around digital inclusion.

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

Why water is important for data centers Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Data centers are crucial for AI, but with thousands of file servers, they also require large amounts of energy and water. As more facilities are built, it’s important to understand this usage and how it might affect surrounding communities. In this episode, co-host Darrell West is joined by Joseph Kane to discuss how data centers use water and the policy questions surrounding these resources.

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

'Navigating Technology and National Security’ with author Justin Sherman Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Many of today’s conversations about AI and emerging technologies are increasingly driven by questions about national security. These conversations are the latest in a longstanding debate over how the government uses a complex set of regulatory tools to protect critical technologies. In this episode, co-host Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Justin Sherman to discuss these patterns and his new book, “Navigating Technology and National Security.”

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

'Wired Wisdom': A conversation with author Eszter Hargittai on older populations Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

As the internet emerged, so did stereotypes about older people's use of it. Yet research has countered some of these common beliefs and led to greater understanding of these generations' online activity. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee speaks with Eszter Hargittai, the co-author of "Wired Wisdom: How to Age Better Online," about these findings and more.

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

The Age of Extraction: A discussion on Tim Wu's new book Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

Marketplaces look different in the digital age and are controlled by a few large companies with immense economic and cultural power. Co-host Nicol Turner Lee is joined by legal scholar and tech expert, Tim Wu, to discuss his new book, “The Age of Extraction” and the future of these platforms.

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

Why data centers are important for AI Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

AI is the transformative technology of our time, yet undergirding the growing use of AI is the need for state-of-the-art data centers that host the file servers and networking equipment that store, process, and analyze information. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West discuss what data centers are, their number and distribution, barriers to development, and ways to overcome those challenges.

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

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