Rebroadcast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt on AI, Hollywood and owning your ‘digital self’
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been called a “Luddite” and “anti-tech,” but the actor, filmmaker and entrepreneur insists he’s actually dazzled by artificial intelligence. He just has qualms with the tech companies building it, and how they’re compensating people for their work and data. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly met up with Gordon-Levitt on the sidelines of an Aspen Digital event in Washington, D.C. to discuss AI’s consequences for creatives, and what he wants from the tech industry and from policymakers.
This episode originally published on June 19, 2025.
Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.
Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
28:26
--------
28:26
Why energy bills could be AI’s new political problem
Democrats logged big election wins this week in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City. And in some races, artificial intelligence — and specifically the energy data centers will consume — was a key issue for voters. As the tech industry spends billions of dollars to build out AI infrastructure, Tuesday’s outcome suggests there could be new political roadblocks ahead. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Ian Stevenson from POLITICO's E&E News to delve into the election in Virginia and why this issue could emerge in next year’s midterms, too.
Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.
Ian Stevenson is an energy and public lands reporter at POLITICO’s E&E News.
Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
16:22
--------
16:22
The business case for governing AI
Tech companies are spending billions of dollars to build out their AI ambitions — with little clarity about how they’ll recoup their investments. Miriam Vogel, the CEO of the nonprofit EqualAI and former chair of the National AI Advisory Council, says the industry’s profitability depends in part on setting ground rules for the technology. On POLITICO Tech, Vogel joins host Steven Overly to discuss the new book she’s co-authored, entitled “Governing the Machine,” and what steps are needed to build public trust in the AI future.
Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.
Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
21:42
--------
21:42
Signal’s Meredith Whittaker on AI hype and the end of privacy
Even if you don’t use Signal, you certainly remember Signalgate. That was the scandal in March when senior U.S. officials used a private messaging app to communicate about a military strike in Yemen — and included a journalist in the chat. It thrust Signal and Signal Foundation President Meredith Whittaker into the spotlight. But she’s made headlines before as a Google employee turned vocal tech critic. On this week’s episode of POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Whittaker to discuss the future of Big Tech, privacy risks in an AI world and how Silicon Valley is shaping politics.
Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.
Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
41:07
--------
41:07
Why the latest U.S.-China tech fight may be the biggest yet
Tensions between the U.S. and China are inflamed yet again — with the tech sector in the crossfire. In the latest move, Beijing has threatened to restrict the trade of rare earth magnets and metals, which are critical for making high-tech products, from microchips to smartphones to electric vehicles. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Liza Tobin, a geopolitical risk adviser and former China director on the National Security Council, to discuss the shaky state of the U.S.-China relationship and why the coming weeks will prove pivotal.
Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology.
Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ireland