TechTank

By Brookings InstitutionNews Technology Government Politics

TechTank episodes

April 20 How should we approach chatbots' mental health and privacy concerns?
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.
45 min
April 06 Teens are using AI—but not how we think
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.
30 min
March 23 Does the Anthropic–Pentagon feud mean the end of responsible AI?
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.
29 min
March 09 Going back to the moon
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.
36 min
February 16 What to expect from the India AI Impact Summit
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.
35 min
February 02 Tech outlooks for 2026
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.
36 min
January 19 Universities tackled digital inclusion—now they are accelerating AI use
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.
47 min
January 05 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26 min
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.”
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
41 min
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
38 min

About TechTank

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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…