Tech On The Hill

In this episode, the focus was on the recent legislative developments concerning the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) within the European Union, particularly through the enactment of the EU AI Act. Markus Anderljung, head of policy at the Center for the Governance of AI, joined as a guest to discuss the significant implications of the EU AI Act on global AI regulation. They explored the concept of the "Brussels Effect," where EU regulations might influence global standards, similar to the well-known "California Effect" in environmental regulation. Anderljung highlighted how the EU AI Act sets forth specific requirements for AI systems, especially those deemed high-risk, which could lead to standardized approaches that affect global AI practices. The podcast also discussed how these regulations might influence U.S. policies and the broader international landscape. The episode concluded with insights into the enforcement mechanisms of the AI Act, including establishing an AI office within the European Commission, which oversees compliance among major tech companies, indicating a move towards more robust global governance of AI technologies.

In this episode, host Tom Romanoff welcomes Wayne Dennis, the first cybersecurity fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Dennis explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on cybersecurity, emphasizing its role in automating security processes like identity verification and threat mitigation. He discusses how AI enhances defensive capabilities but also poses risks, such as enabling attackers to create more effective malware. The conversation delves into AI's potential to detect new cybersecurity threats, especially those from nation-states targeting critical sectors like healthcare. Dennis suggests that while AI can boost cybersecurity efficiency, it won't replace human workers soon. Instead, it should be seen as a workforce augmentation tool, addressing labor shortages in cybersecurity. Moreover, the discussion touches on AI's broader implications for small businesses and consumers who may be unprepared for sophisticated AI-driven attacks. Dennis advocates for increased attention and resources to protect these vulnerable groups from rising threats like ransomware and phishing attacks powered by AI.

In this "Tech on the Hill" podcast episode, host Tom Romanoff discusses disinformation with John Bateman from the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, focusing on the impact of TikTok and broader tech implications in society. Bateman introduces a report titled "Countering Disinformation: An Evidence-Based Policy Guide," highlighting the need for empirical evidence in crafting solutions to combat disinformation. The conversation touches on the challenges of data access from social media platforms, the historical context of disinformation, and the decline of local journalism's role in fostering public resilience against false narratives. The dialogue shifts to TikTok's potential national security risks due to its Chinese ownership and the complexities of regulating such platforms without resorting to bans. Bateman calls for a balanced approach and cautions against acting on unverified claims. Additionally, the podcast covers the impact of recent Supreme Court cases on social media content moderation and research, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between preventing disinformation and upholding free speech. The episode concludes with a consensus on the potential for bipartisan support in promoting media literacy and supporting local journalism, underscoring the necessity of a nuanced understanding of the digital information landscape, including the influence of AI.

In this episode, we are joined by leading economists Avi Goldfarb from the University of Toronto and Simon Johnson from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to discuss the impacts of artificial intelligence on the workforce. They discuss their books "Power and Prediction: The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence" and "Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity," while exploring how AI could impact the jobs, productivity, and inequality. They also discuss the debate and debate the nature of work, whether "augmentation versus automation" is the right policy framework, worker surveillance and bargaining power, and what policymakers should do next.

Recorded during the summer, this podcast presents a factual exploration of Yoti's digital identity solutions, focusing on facial age estimation technology. Julie Dawson discusses how this technology aims to ensure online safety and compliance with age restrictions by verifying users' ages without needing identity documents. This solution addresses a significant policy challenge in digital age verification, offering a privacy-centric approach to protect minors and combat fraud across various online platforms.

This episode focuses on privacy, encryption, and the outlook for 2024, particularly in data privacy and artificial intelligence regulation in Washington, D.C. The episode features two experts: Maureen Ohlhausen, a former acting chairman and commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission, and Jim Kohlenberger, a technology policy advisor to two U.S. Presidents and former Chief of Staff for the Office of Science and current Technology Policy and co-chair of Trusted Future. Ohlhausen discusses the challenges and progress in enacting a federal privacy law, highlighting the complexities and debates around the preemption of state laws and the rights and obligations of consumers and businesses. Kohlenberger emphasizes the critical role of encryption in cybersecurity, increasing risks of data breaches, especially in cloud storage, and global policy trends that may weaken encryption, potentially undermining privacy and security.

This week's episode features Cobun Zweifel-Keegan in discussing the recent Biden executive order on artificial intelligence (AI) and privacy. We explore privacy as a key aspect of the order, which emphasizes privacy-enhancing technologies, the role of the National Institute for Standards and Technology in setting guidelines, and the Office of Management and Budget's oversight of data acquisition by agencies. The conversation also covers the need for updated privacy impact assessments in AI and the executive order's call for comprehensive federal privacy legislation. The episode concludes with a discussion of the implications of voice cloning technologies on privacy. Featuring:  Tom Romanoff, Director, Technology Project Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, Managing Director, International Association of Privacy Professionals

In this podcast, we are joined by Theodora Skeadas to talk about the societal impact of internet throttling and shutdowns, focusing on Twitter's role in the U.S., the global economic and social costs of internet restrictions, and concerns over TikTok's data privacy. It discusses the challenges of enforcing bans on social media platforms due to intertwined technologies and cybersecurity risks. Additionally, it addresses the potential for disinformation and the need for robust election integrity measures for the 2024 elections in light of reduced industry resources. Featuring:  Tom Romanoff, Director, Technology Project Theodora Skeadas, Policy Consultant, Partnership on AI

In this episode of "Tech on the Hill," we explore AI's transformative impact on the workforce. Tom Romanoff is joined by AI and economics experts to discuss how AI is reshaping the workplace. While AI brings challenges like job displacement, bias, and privacy concerns, it also offers opportunities to enhance the workforce. Join us for insights on AI's role in the future of work. Featuring: Tom Romanoff, Director, Technology Project Robert Seamans, Professor at New York University John Soroushian, Senior Associate Director Ben Gitis, Associate Director, Bipartisan Policy Center

In this episode, we discuss with Katie Harbaugh the challenges of AI-generated misinformation and its potential impact on the 2024 US election. We explore proposed bills for AI-content labeling, the complexities of regulating synthetic data and media, and the importance of digital literacy. Then, delving into the balance between free speech and AI-content detection, we discuss potential First Amendment issues. Featuring: Tom Romanoff, Director, Technology Project Katie Harbath, Fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center