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PODCAST

Explain to Shane

Technology has become increasingly important to policy debates, but these debates won’t be productive without an understanding of how the technology in question works. AEI Visiting Fellow Shane Tews interviews tech industry experts to explain how the apps, services, and structures of today"s information technology systems work, and how they shape our social and economic life.

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All Episodes

29:34

The future of IP protections for COVID-19 vaccines...

Explain to Shane ·

2021/07/06

Intellectual property (IP) has been a hot topic due to the Biden administration’s support of a proposal to waive the World Trade Organization’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Some argue IP protections incentivized vaccine manufacturers to produce what are now the world’s antidotes to the pandemic. But others say these protections are slowing down global vaccination and distribution rates — especially in the developing world. Why

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24:58

The race for quantum computing superiority (with Klon...

Explain to Shane ·

2021/06/15

Due to their ability to calculate multiple complex variables at the same time, quantum computers are poised to permanently change how technology exists in society. But with the advent of quantum computing comes several risks to the US across a range of fields, including national security. How can the US sufficiently advance its quantum computing capabilities and manage the risks that come with them?On this episode, Shane is joined by Klon Kitchen, an AEI resident fellow in foreign and defense

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31:18

How to improve trust and safety online (with Clara Tsao)

Explain to Shane ·

2021/06/01

Trust is a binding agent for society, but the internet was not designed with trust or user safety in mind. And today, trust in the online ecosystem seems to be at a low. How can we reverse this trend?Many tech companies have trust and safety professionals working behind the scenes on complex issues like content moderation, disinformation, and user privacy. To help unify these efforts and establish best practices,Clara Tsaoco-founded theTrust & Safety Professional Associationafter serving as the

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27:00

Advancing cybersecurity through software ‘nutrition...

Explain to Shane ·

2021/05/18

Following a wave of recent attacks, cyber and supply chain security are high on the United States’ policy agenda. Software “nutrition labels” are one solution cyber experts are considering; what do these “labels” look like, and how can government and industry work together to ensure their effectiveness?On this episode,Shaneis joined byAllan Friedman, director of cybersecurity initiatives at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). For the last several years, Allan has

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27:48

The heavy cost of symmetrical broadband speeds (with...

Explain to Shane ·

2021/05/04

As the pandemic has shifted work, education, and entertainment online, there is a growing appetite in Washington to enhance broadband access across the country. However, some members of Congress and the current administration have advocated for ramping up broadband speeds to a symmetrical 100 megabits per second both upstream and downstream (known as 100/100). Where is the push for this new standard coming from, and what would it mean for the average consumer? Richard Bennett, founder of High Tech

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26:04

From idea to interstate: Getting more autonomous...

Explain to Shane ·

2021/04/20

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are gaining traction in states where regulations encourage advanced technology to ride alongside traditional transportation. But in areas where AVs are in everyday traffic, issues like driver safety and data collection are being watched by policymakers. For both innovators and lawmakers, there remain many lessons to be learned about the opportunities and challenges posed by this new technological twist on auto traffic.On this episode,Shaneis joined byGrayson Brulte,

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33:02

What’s next for 12-GHz spectrum? (with V. Noah...

Explain to Shane ·

2021/04/06

In December 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the feasibility of allowing commercial operations — both satellite and terrestrial — in the 12.2–12.7 GHz spectrum band. Doing so could expand broadband access and expedite mobile 5G network buildouts; however, incumbents worry that additional commercial activity in the band could potentially interfere with their satellite operations. How can the FCC ensure new use of the 12-GHz band

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32:22

Making sense of Australia's standoff with Big Tech...

Explain to Shane ·

2021/03/16

Facing a new law requiring social media firms to pay Australian news providers for their content, Facebook and Google had notably different responses. After expressing brief opposition to the new policy, Google was willing to comply; on the other hand, Facebook blocked all news content on its Australian platform for two days — though later reached a compromise with the government. Why did the two companies approach the issue so differently, and what will Australia’s law mean for the future of tech

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22:14

Digitizing the barter economy (with Josh Kline)

Explain to Shane ·

2021/03/02

While stuck indoors during the pandemic, items we want — and sometimes need — are harder to locate. Web retailers offer a quick fix, but what if we need online tutoring, IT help, or athletic coaching? And what if we could offer our own goods and services in return? In an attempt to overcome the communication barriers of traditional barter exchanges, Josh Kline founded HaveNeed — an app that lets users pay for what they “need” with what they “have.” The app’s algorithm creates pairings and multiparty

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24:20

Do data protection laws really improve cybersecurity?...

Explain to Shane ·

2021/02/16

Data protection regulations must strike a difficult balance between individual privacy and cybersecurity. But what happens when a cyberattacker’s identity is masked in the name of privacy? How would existing laws in the European Union, United Kingdom, and India address this dilemma? What can proponents of federal privacy legislation in the US learn from these countries? On this episode, Shane speaks with Emily Taylor, CEO of Oxford Information Labs and an associate fellow of Chatham House’s

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24:24

Data protection, privacy, and the ethics of...

Explain to Shane ·

2021/02/02

Enabling data to flow between enterprise divisions and industry partners enhances our economy, but it’s important that user privacy is protected when the information being shared is about individuals. Data usage will thus continue to be a major topic in tech policy, especially with regard to newer products that use artificial intelligence (AI) to collect and transfer user data. If the US were to pass federal data protection legislation or a federal privacy law, what AI-related measures would need to

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25:18

Expanding America's cyber toolbox (with Mieke Eoyang)

Explain to Shane ·

2021/01/19

Undeterred cyberattacks on American critical infrastructure have increased urgency for improved cyber practices. Heading into the next administration, what can the US do to better prevent cyberattacks and impose consequences on their perpetrators? How do we ensure effective information-sharing between government and industry to thwart future attacks and curtail their potential damage?On this episode, Shane is joined by Mieke Eoyang, senior vice president of the DC think tank Third Way’s National

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18:22

How 5G wireless can put more Americans to work (with...

Explain to Shane ·

2021/01/05

As US industries turn to next-generation technology for real-time data flows and automation, demand for 5G equipment has fueled a wave of new job opportunities. What best practices can government and industry undertake to help this trend to endure? What spectrum management and regulatory policies will maximize 5G’s potential to create jobs? On this episode, Shane speaks with Michael Mandel, Chief Economic Strategist at the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), and Sal D’Itri, Chairman of the National

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21:16

Shaping American tech policy at the Federal...

Explain to Shane ·

2020/12/15

Under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai’s leadership, the US is experiencing faster internet speeds, a healthy investment in the buildout of 5G networks, more efficient use of spectrum, and notable progress on programs to close the digital divide. Chairman Pai’s FCC has also implemented common-sense reforms such as lowering interstate prison phone rate caps and creating a new suicide hotline. Pai recently announced he would leave the FCC on January 20th, but his legacy will

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25:42

How coding can transform government (with Amanda...

Explain to Shane ·

2020/12/01

In the digital age, how can technology make government more effective? The nonprofitCode for Americais training young coders and connecting them with governments in order to digitize “safety net” programs like Medicaid, welfare, and food purchasing assistance. The organization seeks to make these programs more effective and efficient at the local, state, and federal levels by bringing them into a web and mobile friendly environment that helps both the end user and the government agency connect and

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29:08

Municipal broadband: Keeping Americans connected, but...

Explain to Shane ·

2020/11/17

In an effort to give unserved communities internet access, some state and local governments have launched municipal broadband networks. But when City Hall controls the market for a key good like broadband, competition suffers, and consumers are worse off. Is it possible to pre-empt state municipal broadband laws at the federal level, and would sweeping preemptions survive judicial scrutiny?Larry Spiwak, President of the Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal and Economic Policy Studies, and George Ford,

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23:14

Spectrum re-allocation and 5G at the Federal...

Explain to Shane ·

2020/10/30

What are the challenges of reallocating spectrum for commercial use, and how might the resulting “spectrum wars” hinder the rollout of new networks? Furthermore, how has the current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approached this issue?On this episode, Nathan Leamer, Vice President of Public Affairs at the strategy firm Targeted Victory and former Policy Advisor to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, joins Shane to discuss spectrum reallocation, 5G, and how the current FCC has succeeded in a number of

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26:44

Paths forward on privacy: Balancing regulation,...

Explain to Shane ·

2020/10/20

Support for a federal privacy law is gaining bipartisan momentum, but policymakers must consider the burdens that excessive regulation can place on consumers, trademark owners, and even law enforcement. Existing privacy laws in California, Europe, and beyond have had mixed effects. How can they help inform the creation of federal privacy legislation in the US?On this episode, Shane is joined by Brian King, Director of Internet Policy and Industry Affairs at Clarivate and a representative of the

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27:35

The rise of e-sports and competitive gaming (with...

Explain to Shane ·

2020/10/06

While sheltering in place during theCOVID-19pandemic, more people are turning to online gaming for safe, virtual entertainment. As a result, the video game market has had exceptional success in recent months. Will the gaming industry continue to surge after the pandemic, and how will attention economy industry leaders navigate the change in viewing habits that come with more eyes on gaming content?On this episode,Shaneand her research assistant William Rau discuss the future of online gaming

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25:56

Constitution Day special (with Janine Turner, Cathy...

Explain to Shane ·

2020/09/16

Although more young people are getting engaged in politics, civic education is absent from the curriculums of many American high schools and universities. Still, learning about the founding fathers is crucial to understanding why the American political system is unique. As social media platforms take politics online, how can we use technology to educate young people on the United States’ founding principles? To honor Constitution Day, Shane welcomes three guests from Constituting America — a

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