TechTank

By Brookings Institution

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 algorith

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4.9

1515 ratings

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FAQs about TechTank:

How many episodes does TechTank have?

The podcast currently has 129 episodes available.

TechTank episodes:

January 05, 2026 Why water is important for data centers
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.
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26min
December 22, 2025 'Navigating Technology and National Security’ with author Justin Sherman
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.”
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41min
December 08, 2025 'Wired Wisdom': A conversation with author Eszter Hargittai on older populations
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.
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38min
November 24, 2025 The Age of Extraction: A discussion on Tim Wu's new book
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.
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37min
November 10, 2025 Why data centers are important for AI
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.
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39min
October 20, 2025 On European digital sovereignty and platform regulation with Marietje Schaake
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.
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33min
October 06, 2025 Will AI democratize financial services?
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.
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35min
September 22, 2025 FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez talks about the future of the communications landscape
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.

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41min
September 08, 2025 How the NFL is using technology to improve performance
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.
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23min
August 04, 2025 Measuring Black women’s trust in AI
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.
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44min

FAQs about TechTank:

How many episodes does TechTank have?

The podcast currently has 129 episodes available.

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