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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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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.

Universities tackled digital inclusion—now they are accelerating AI use

2026/01/19

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

2026/01/05

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

2025/12/22

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

2025/12/08

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

2025/11/24

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

2025/11/10

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.

On European digital sovereignty and platform regulation with Marietje Schaake

2025/10/20

Europe created regulatory frameworks, including the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, in attempt to reassert control, but these laws have recently faced backlash from the Trump administration. In this episode of the TechTank podcast, Courtney Radsch speaks with Marietje Schaake about these challenges and the digital sovereignty debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will AI democratize financial services?

2025/10/06

Financial services have long relied on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for a range of duties, from administrative tasks to decision-making, but these uses can have major implications for consumers subject to the technology’s decisions. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee speaks with Aaron Klein about these consequences and the importance of oversight in deploying these technologies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez talks about the future of the communications landscape

2025/09/22

The media and communications landscapes are in flux as the administration’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continues to implement its priorities, including around free speech and access to public media. In this episode, co-host Nicol Turner Lee speaks with FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez about these developments and the future of the agency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the NFL is using technology to improve performance

2025/09/08

Digital technologies and data analytics are increasingly being used to help athletes and coaches better monitor their performance and find areas for improvement. In this episode, Darrell West is joined by NFL player Kelvin Beachum and professor Arthur Daemmrich about how these developments could transform sports and the experience of fans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Measuring Black women’s trust in AI

2025/08/04

Some historically marginalized groups, including Black women, have a complex relationship with the scientific community and institutions, yet their concerns and experiences with emerging technologies like AI are often left out of discussions around trust and design. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Raj Korpan and Zarah Guillemet to discuss their new research centering Black women’s trust in AI and the importance of this perspective in creating equitable technologies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Examining Section 230’s impact on Black Americans

2025/07/21

Section 230 has shaped the internet since its passage in 1996 and has had far-reaching implications for marginalized groups, including Black Americans. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Danielle Davis to discuss her recent work examining these consequences and the difficulty of addressing them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Understanding and regulating crypto harms

2025/06/30

Conversations on cryptocurrency have been dominated by the industry and experts, leaving out the public, who will be impacted by Congress’ legislative efforts. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Tonantzin Carmona to discuss her research and recommendations on how Americans can be protected from the risks and harms posed by crypto. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How autonomous vehicles can talk to one another

2025/06/16

As driverless cars hit the roads in more cities, some researchers are trying to improve their efficiency and navigational systems by creating social networks of autonomous vehicles. In this episode, Darrell West speaks with Yong Liu about this research project and how it might improve the reliability of these systems while protecting passengers’ privacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.