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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.

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Addressing 'insider' AI agents with Camille Stewart Gloster

2026/10/05

Organizations are quickly adopting agentic systems that introduce new and complex governance challenges, yet few have the necessary rules in place to account for when something goes wrong. Still, even in the absence of federal legislation, enterprises and individuals must understand the technology, its limitations, and how to control it. In this episode, co-host Nicol Turner Lee is joined by author Camille Stewart Gloster to discuss these governance questions and her new book, “The Insider You Built: How Organizations Stay in Control of Autonomous AI Agents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Weighing the existential risks of AI and the proposals to prevent them

2026/09/21

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

Bans on screen time will uniquely affect students of color

2026/09/07

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

The guiding objective for addressing cyber risk

2026/08/17

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

AI and toddlers: The impacts on early development

2026/08/04

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

The importance of investing in space infrastructure with Bridgit Mendler and Mariel Borowitz

2026/07/20

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

How robotics is reshaping manufacturing

2026/07/06

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

How technology can help save democracy

2026/06/15

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

Maintaining privacy and security with connected cars

2026/05/04

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

How should we approach chatbots' mental health and privacy concerns?

2026/04/20

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

Teens are using AI—but not how we think

2026/04/06

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

Does the Anthropic–Pentagon feud mean the end of responsible AI?

2026/03/23

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

2026/03/09

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

2026/02/16

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

2026/02/02

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.