Decoded by POLITICO

Policymakers around the world are debating how to regulate our use of technology, from addictive algorithms to harmful content. But often missing from the conversation is the control that everyday people wield over how much technology is let into our lives. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly calls up digital minimalism advocate Jose Briones to talk about breaking up with smartphones and social media, and embracing a low-tech lifestyle.

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The new year may have just begun, but policy divisions have already emerged — with tech leaders at the center. Elon Musk tanked a bipartisan spending agreement in the House, causing Congress to scramble to avoid a government shutdown. And Trump’s Silicon Valley supporters faced off against his longtime MAGA base over visas for highly skilled immigrants. On POLITICO Tech, Digital Future Daily author Derek Robertson joins host Steven Overly to discuss the personalities driving the policy and the tensions to watch in 2025.

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Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) is already an influential voice on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity on Capitol Hill. And his power will only grow in the new year with Republicans taking control of the Senate. On POLITICO Tech, Rounds tells host Steven Overly how he expects Congress to tackle both issues once President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. 

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Tech companies are laying out their wish lists for President-elect Donald Trump. And the ride-sharing company Lyft has two big asks: nationwide benefits for gig workers and national standards for autonomous vehicles. Lyft CEO David Risher says he’s optimistic about the incoming Trump administration and its deregulation agenda. On POLITICO Tech, Risher tells host Steven Overly why Washington should embrace both the gig economy and robot drivers.

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President-elect Donald Trump’s return is making waves in Canada. This week, tensions over how Ottawa should fight a looming trade war with the U.S. prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s deputy to resign. But Canada has been responding to Trump’s tariff threats by making the case that the two countries have intertwined economies, especially in key areas like critical minerals, artificial intelligence and energy. On POLITICO Tech, François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of innovation, science and industry, joins host Steven Overly to discuss the turmoil on both sides of the border.

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Lately, the guest book at Mar-a-Lago reads like a Silicon Valley roll call — from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to Apple CEO Tim Cook — as tech leaders visit President-elect Donald Trump for private dinners and closed-door conversations. Some are also cutting big checks for his inauguration fund. Their goal is clear: win Trump’s favor in hopes his administration will be kind. On POLITICO Tech, Morning Tech author Gabby Miller joins host Steven Overly to break down Big Tech’s charm offensive.

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A far-right candidate was expected to win Romania’s presidential race and then the election was abruptly cancelled — amid concerns that Russia was paying TikTok influencers to boost his campaign. And would you believe it, things only get crazier from there. POLITICO host Steven Overly dives into the latest in Bucharest with Andrei Popoviciu, a Romanian freelance investigative journalist who has been covering this story for POLITICO.

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President-elect Donald Trump has lashed out at TV broadcasters and tech companies, accusing them of unfair news coverage or censoring conservative speech. And soon, his Federal Communications Commission may try to penalize them. Outgoing FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, fears the agency’s independence could be in jeopardy. On POLITICO Tech, Rosenworcel joins host Steven Overly to discuss her tenure atop the agency and its future in the next administration.

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While U.S. lawmakers debate kids’ online safety legislation, elected officials in Australia have already taken bold action — banning minors under age 16 from social media altogether. Now, Australian officials will spend the next year figuring out how to implement the law. Among them is eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, an American and former tech executive who oversees online safety regulation in Australia. On POLITICO Tech, Inman Grant tells host Steven Overly about Australia’s new social media experiment and why the whole world is watching.

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Patent lawyers at Google had a question: How many of the company’s big, new ideas were developed using artificial intelligence? The patent world has been grappling for years with whether or not AI can be considered an inventor, and Google needed to know how the technology is being used today. On POLITICO Tech, Google’s head of patent policy, Laura Sheridan, joins host Steven Overly to explain the findings and why the company doesn’t think AI counts as an inventor.

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