On Wednesday, President Donald Trump unveiled his AI Action Plan, which effectively outlines his strategy for keeping the U.S. at the forefront of artificial intelligence. And for the most part, it’s a gift to Silicon Valley — slashing AI regulation at the federal level and trying to halt it in the states. But, one part of the plan will drag tech further into Trump’s war on wokeness. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly breaks down key provisions of the plan and how they could be implemented with Neil Chilson, the head of AI policy at the libertarian Abundance Institute.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly warned that artificial intelligence poses a danger to humanity. And as the U.S. and other governments turn away from regulating AI, the Catholic Church is emerging as a vocal skeptic on the world stage. One of the influential voices shaping those calls is Father Paolo Benanti, a professor and author who acts as the Vatican’s de facto adviser on AI. On POLITICO Tech, Benanti joins host Steven Overly to discuss ethical concerns surrounding AI and why he thinks regulators have a duty to make tough decisions.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a power struggle between humanity and technology. And Vilas Dhar, president and trustee of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, argues humanity coming out on top depends not just on regulation, but on people regaining agency vis-à-vis technology and a voice in how it is created. On POLITICO Tech, Dhar joins host Steven Overly to discuss how humans can reclaim their power, and why he thinks an initial step should be creating a national digital identification system.   

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick McGee has written the definitive book on how Apple supercharged China’s development into a global manufacturing colossus and leveraged its relationship with Beijing to become one of the most iconic consumer tech brands in history. Now, the author of “Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company” joins POLITICO Tech guest host Phelim Kine to break down how Apple’s reliance on China has become a toxic codependency that has trapped the company at the center of U.S.-China trade tensions that have upended a decades-old business model hinged on a “Made in China” export production model.

Phelim Kine is POLITICO’s DC-based China and Indo-Pacific Affairs correspondent.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Communications Commission will meet today with a new Republican majority after the confirmation of former Capitol Hill staffer Olivia Trusty. That’s likely to boost Chair Brendan Carr’s Trump-approved agenda as he ramps up scrutiny of TV broadcasters and social media platforms over perceived conservative bias. On POLITICO Tech, reporter John Hendel joins host Steven Overly to explain the political makeup of the nation’s chief communications regulator and what to expect in the months ahead. 

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been called a “Luddite” and “anti-tech,” but the actor, filmmaker and entrepreneur insists he’s actually dazzled by artificial intelligence. He just has qualms with the tech companies building it, and how they’re compensating people for their work and data. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly met up with Gordon-Levitt on the sidelines of an Aspen Digital event in Washington, D.C. to discuss AI’s consequences for creatives, and what he wants from the tech industry and from policymakers.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mississippi is trying to position itself as the “Digital Delta” — a hub in the American South for artificial intelligence development and data centers. It’s one of many states that largely missed out on the internet boom and are now looking for AI to boost their local economy.  On POLITICO Tech, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves joins host Steven Overly to discuss how his state is trying to seize the  AI moment, from energy production to workforce training. Plus, they discuss how policy being set in Washington, from the proposed moratorium on state AI laws to the crackdown on international student visas, could impact his state.  

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) is big on investing in research in cutting-edge technologies, especially artificial intelligence and biotechnology. But lately, that’s put him in a position of pushing back against the leader of his own party, President Donald Trump, who has imposed steep and swift cuts to federal research funding at agencies and universities. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Young for a live interview at the AI+ Expo in Washington to talk about that tension and more. 

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vice President JD Vance told a crypto conference this week that the industry “finally has a champion and an ally in the White House.” And, he’s right. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has largely reversed the industry’s fortunes in Washington. But the industry’s fortunes are now Trump’s fortunes, as the president and his family plunge deeper into the digital currency business. That’s starting to concern some Republicans and crypto lobbyists pushing the industry’s agenda. On POLITICO Tech, POLITICO capital markets reporter Declan Harty joins host Steven Overly to explain why.

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.

Declan Harty covers U.S. capital markets and regulation of Wall Street for POLITICO.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Republicans narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful” reconciliation bill, including a provision that would block states from enforcing new AI regulations for a decade. The proposal, which now heads to the Senate, has backing from industry but faces fierce opposition from state attorneys general and AI safety hawks. Even some opponents of tech regulation worry the moratorium is too broad and too long. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly unpacks the proposal with Sam Hammond, the chief economist at the Foundation for American Innovation. 

Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of trade and technology.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices