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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

27:29

Procuring Security: Government Software Modernization...

Explain to Shane ·

2023/03/14

Situated squarely in the digital age, yet still years behind the curve, our government spends upwards of $100 billion on its IT and cyber needs annually according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). With all that money being spent, how do we know we’re getting not only the best deal on software but also the most secure systems?The National Cybersecurity Strategy calls for holding software companies liable for the security flaws in their products. This is an opportunity for the federal

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26:02

Spectrum, Satellites, and Subsidies:...

Explain to Shane ·

2023/02/28

Myriad questions are swirling around telecommunications policy at the outset of this year. Elon Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper are heating up the discussion surrounding Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet. The FCC’s ability to auction off spectrum is up for reauthorization on March 9th, securing a vital asset for the regulatory body to disburse. And massive sums of money are being made available for broadband expansion, but with serious uncertainty on how to effectively use it. But how

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21:17

What Does the Right to Repair Really Mean? (with Jeff...

Explain to Shane ·

2023/02/14

Our devices, smart as they are, break on us, and often the only recourse outside of purchasing a new one is to take our broken tech to a licensed repair shop. But what if the replacement parts for such devices were more readily available or even set up for DIY repair? This is the supposed promise of the legal concept of the “right to repair.” It aims to give individuals the ability to repair and modify purchased products without restrictions from manufacturers or relegation to licensed repair shops

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22:11

The Munich Security Conference at 60: Promoting...

Explain to Shane ·

2023/01/17

We live in a world where the security that we enjoy arises out of more than just police forces, standing armies, or the weapons we equip them with. Today’s security lies both in the seen and the unseen—the defenses built around our online networks, data, and connected technology repel attacks every day. How are we to coordinate amongst international allies to combat such attacks? Is a culture of trust possible in the realm of cybersecurity? Where does the Munich Security Conference (MSC) see itself

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21:08

Does the U.S. Have Global Tech Superiority? Our China...

Explain to Shane ·

2023/01/03

What does it mean to gain tech influence on a global scale? How does America compare to China in helping the developing world get connected? What’s more effective: a tangible investment or a winning smile? Who is China eclipsing on the global stage? Technology, international security, and public policy have integrated over the last decade into something undeniable as a consideration when it comes to governing a modern superpower. In order to remain a superpower, it will require America to consider

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27:56

Can Transatlantic Cooperation Transform the China...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/12/20

China has invested heavily in the telecommunications and internet infrastructure of the developing world. In the face of that significant head start, how might Europe and the US team up to catch up in the 5G influence race? What has the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) accomplished so far towards that end and others? Are we heading into more of a Brussels Effect on tech regulation? What does good AI governance look like? All of this and more are discussed with the European Parliament’s

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34:38

Have We Turned a Blind Eye to Cybersecurity? (with...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/11/15

What role has America played in technology development in the past and how has that role evolved? What effect has offshoring elements of our high-tech hardware manufacturing had on our cybersecurity capacity? How are these “instruments of national power” changing our calculus on the cyber balance of power? To what extent should the government intervene in augmenting our cybersecurity capacity? Where does the average citizen factor in? All of these questions and more are discussed with former US

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01:08:47

Establishing Global Spectrum Leadership and a Modern...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/11/01

Why did American internet infrastructure shine throughout the pandemic compared to foreign networks? How might the executive branch best implement the massive sums of money going toward rural broadband expansion across the myriad agencies that touch it? What does leadership in broadband require moving forward? All of these questions and more are discussed with none other than the former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) itself— Ajit Pai.On this episode, Shane is joined by Pai,

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40:30

Effectively Managing Cyber Challenges in the Public...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/09/27

Will the Biden administration release a national cybersecurity strategy? Can federal agencies’ responsibilities be reorganized and redistributed among one another to increase our national cyber resilience? These and several other questions remain up in the air as cyber threats continue to proliferate.On this episode, Shane is joined by Jason Blessing, a Jeane Kirkpatrick visiting research fellow on AEI’s Foreign and Defense Policy Team, to discuss ways for both the government and private sector to

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25:22

Helping Local “Microbusinesses” Thrive (with Alex Rosen)

Explain to Shane ·

2022/09/20

What are “microbusinesses” and why do they matter toour economicoutlook? How can state and local governments learn about and help sustain these local businesses?On this episode,ShaneinterviewsAlex Rosen, a senior director forGoDaddy’s Venture Forwardteam. Alex explains the rise of online microbusinesses during the pandemic, and how we need to capture these businesses’ importance andcontinue to foster their growth as part of the buildout of local economies. She also discusses the value that

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28:01

Combatting the Problem of Domain Name Abuse (with...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/09/16

Domain name abuse is a constant challenge, as it’s the entry point for many online activities that are harmful to consumers such as malware, botnets, phishing scams, and spam.Protecting the domain name system (DNS) is a priority for security and stability, and creating an efficient way to track abusers is key to this mission. But what exactly does DNS abuse look like in practice, and how do we catch those who adversely affect the health of the internet’s vast infrastructure?On this episode,Shanesits

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39:06

Can We Modernize the Federal Identity System? (with...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/09/13

Criminals are constantly looking for holes in online identity verification—a key reason why the US governmentlost$163 billion in unemployment-related fraud during the pandemic. Can technology make identity verification systems more resilient, despite everyone being on separate networks?On this episode,Shaneand AEI Nonresident Senior FellowJim HarperinterviewJordan Burris, senior director for product market strategy atSocure—a platform that combines machine learning and artificial intelligence to

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46:58

Reining in China’s Dominance of the International...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/09/06

How has China gained influence at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and what type of agenda will they continue to pursue if the US and our allies do not step up our participation? If China and Russia win the upcoming ITU election, we’re going to find out. Coined recently as “the most important election you have never heard of,” the ITU’s plenipotentiary conference in late September will give members the chance to vote on a new secretary general and group of high officials. If China’s

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27:48

“Building for Tomorrow”: How to Think Like an...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/08/30

Everyone loves a good “life hack”: Whether it’s through an organizational app, a new productivity strategy, or a novel way to use technology, we’re all looking for ways to be more efficient. What life hacks would a startup and entrepreneurship expert recommend? Shane’s latest guest is Jason Feifer. Jason is the editor in chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, a podcast host, keynote speaker, startup advisor, and the author of an upcoming book titled Build for Tomorrow: An Action Plan for Embracing Change,

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36:08

Integrating Extended Reality into Education, Work,...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/08/09

As the demand for remote work, schooling, medical services, and retail continues to rise, augmented reality (AR) and extended reality (XR) are proving worthwhile to both the providers and consumers of these services. How can we integrate these technologies into our daily lives as smoothly as possible?On this episode, Shane is joined by David Scurlock, founder and CEO of In Your FACE Learning and Training Academy, which aims to bring XR and other cutting-edge innovations to those with limited access

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29:40

How PayPal Laid the Groundwork for Silicon Valley as...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/08/02

When one thinks about today’s tech leaders in Silicon Valley, PayPal is probably not the first name that comes to mind. But PayPal’s founders and earliest employees have gone on to create, found, and advise companies like Tesla, SpaceX, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Yelp, and Palantir. What happened in PayPal’s early days to set these individuals and future companies up for success?On this episode,Shaneis joined byJimmy Soni, author ofThe Founders: The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped

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25:38

Congressional Chip Funding: Are We There Yet? (with...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/07/19

While the $52 billion of federal funding in theCHIPS for America Acthas strong bipartisan support, it’s caught in a larger fight between the two legislative chambers over an attempt to reconcile the bill with other Democrat spending priorities. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has built a coalition against the larger bill that will stop it from passing unless the process is focused exclusively on semiconductors. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has also agreed that the CHIPS Act should

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22:56

The Challenge of Putting Federal Broadband Funds to...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/07/19

Following the passage of theInfrastructure Investment and Jobs Act(IIJA), a Department of Commerce branch known as theNational Telecommunications and Information Administration(NTIA) has been tasked with allocating $42.5 billion of federal broadband infrastructure funding to state and local governments through theBroadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This $42.5 billion is part of a larger $65 billion sum that the IIJA puts toward broadband infrastructure. How can NTIA and the

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23:15

An Update on the Global Intellectual Property...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/07/06

One year ago, the Biden administration announced its support for a proposal at the World Trade Organization (WTO) that would waive Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) protections for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Last week, WTO member states agreed to a limited waiver that only covers vaccines and patents—not therapeutics or trade secrets. Both sides of the debate are relatively unhappy with this outcome. Does this mean it was a good compromise, or did the WTO somehow fall

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16:12

Re-Thinking Spectrum Sharing to Enable a 5G Future...

Explain to Shane ·

2022/06/28

The radio airwaves that power wireless technologies—known as spectrum—are a finite but critical resource. Tailoring spectrum toward its best use often entails industry and government sharing airwaves with one another, a process that has proven complicated as historical use does not always equate to the best current use of spectrum assets. And, with the advent of 5G wireless, the stakes are higher than ever.Shanesits down withPeter Rysavyon this episode of “Explain to Shane” to analyze potential

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