Episodios

  • Weighing the existential risks of AI and the proposals to prevent them

    Weighing the existential risks of AI and the proposals to prevent them
    Sep 21 2026
    Recent warnings about the possible existential threats some say AI may pose to humanity have led to heightened debates about how we should address these concerns. Policymakers are now more seriously weighing what actions from both government and business are needed to reassure a nervous public that AI is safe, reliable, and helpful. In this episode, Darrell West is joined by fellow Brookings colleagues Tom Wheele and Bill Galston to discuss potential paths forward and what they mean for both safety and competition.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    38 m
  • Bans on screen time will uniquely affect students of color

    Bans on screen time will uniquely affect students of color
    Sep 7 2026
    Conversations about the importance of getting children access to technology have morphed into efforts to remove devices from the classroom and restrict kids’ access to social media. Yet, the discussions leading up to these bans frequently lack participation from youth and an assessment of cultural norms. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Meisha Porter, Desmond Upton Patton, and Ashley Stewart to address what this means for students of different demographics and how more informed approaches might look.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    34 m
  • The guiding objective for addressing cyber risk

    The guiding objective for addressing cyber risk
    Aug 17 2026
    Cyber risk in an interconnected environment is increasingly complex for organizations to assess and address. Navigating such challenges elevates the question of vendor concentration, which can introduce certain risks but also provide important strengths. In this episode, guest host Stephanie Pell is joined by Diana Burley and Rhea Siers to discuss their recent paper, which argues that resilience should be an organization’s guiding objective.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    32 m
  • AI and toddlers: The impacts on early development

    AI and toddlers: The impacts on early development
    Aug 4 2026
    As AI becomes more ubiquitous in our lives, babies and toddlers are also interacting with it more. But it's unclear how the technology could affect children in this critical stage of development. In this episode, Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Sweta Shah and Kathy Hirsh-Pasek of Brookings' Center for Universal Education to discuss their findings as part of a series called, "Generation AI starts early.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    43 m
  • The importance of investing in space infrastructure with Bridgit Mendler and Mariel Borowitz

    The importance of investing in space infrastructure with Bridgit Mendler and Mariel Borowitz
    Jul 20 2026
    The space economy is accelerating at a rapid pace with advances in space tourism, mining, exploration, communications, and defense, but to expand upon these activities, the U.S. needs to invest in ground stations and space infrastructure to help commercial firms take advantage of the growing opportunities. In this episode, co-host Darrell West is joined by Bridgit Mendler of Northwood Space and Mariel Borowitz of the Georgia Institute of Technology to discuss the importance of these investments and how the government can best support new advancements.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    26 m
  • How robotics is reshaping manufacturing

    How robotics is reshaping manufacturing
    Jul 6 2026
    Technological advances are reshaping manufacturing processes, and robotics, in particular, are important to improve efficiency and advance military preparedness. Yet there are questions about what robotics can do and what governments and businesses should be doing to accelerate these technologies. In this episode, co-host Darrell West is joined by Suzy Teele of the ARM Institute to discuss these questions and her work on advancing innovations.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 m
  • How technology can help save democracy

    How technology can help save democracy
    Jun 15 2026
    Technology is accelerating rapidly, raising concerns about how artificial intelligence and other tools are altering communications, decisionmaking, and governance. Yet, these important conversations often overlook how technology can strengthen democratic institutions by expanding participation and improving service delivery. In this episode, co-host Darrell West is joined by Beth Simone Noveck to discuss these possibilities explored in her new book, “Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy.”

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    33 m
  • Maintaining privacy and security with connected cars

    Maintaining privacy and security with connected cars
    May 4 2026
    Cars and trucks are being digitally connected through online sensors, safety devices, and entertainment systems, leading some observers to call vehicles today "smart phones on wheels." These features offer tremendous convenience for drivers and passengers, though the ubiquitous connections raise questions about privacy, security, legal liability, and consumer protection. In this episode, Darrell West is joined by Ian Barlow to discuss connected vehicles and opportunities to protect consumers.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    22 m