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.
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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.
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Meet Silicon Valley’s AI-obsessed mayor
A growing number of city governments are adopting artificial intelligence — and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan wants to outpace all the rest. The former tech entrepreneur is pushing employees across Silicon Valley’s largest city to adopt the technology as a way of streamlining everything from bus routes to business permits. On POLITICO Tech, Mahan joins host Steven Overly to discuss the AI-enabled city he’s trying to build, as well as California’s new AI safety law, the risk of overregulating technology and his recent criticism of Gov. Gavin Newsom.
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.
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Coming to city near you: AI-powered government
The concept of "smart cities" — local governments that are digitized and automated — has been around for decades, but that bold vision hasn't quite materialized yet. Still, many cities are making a run at the idea, and they’re increasingly turning to artificial intelligence. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with James Anderson of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Government Innovation program to talk about how cities are adopting AI and the real-world hurdles they face along the way.
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.
For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch
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Our theme music is by Pran Bandi.
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AI, China, and the fight over free speech: Takeaways from POLITICO’s Tech Summit
POLITICO’s AI & Tech Summit this week tackled major policy debates: the partisan fight over online speech after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, along with Washington’s efforts to fend off China — and California — in the U.S. quest for AI dominance. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with technology reporters Brendan Bordelon and Anthony Adragna to analyze the most notable moments from the event, including comments from Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas), White House senior AI adviser Sriram Krishnan and others.
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.
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