Talking Tech with Mark Surman and Alexandra Givens

In this very special episode of Tech Talks, we’re sharing a conversation from a recent convening hosted by the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) in collaboration with Data & Society, bringing together researchers working within civil society organizations at the intersection of academic research and public policy. CDT Senior Research Fellow Michal Luria leads a discussion with three top voices in the field — Alice Marwick, Director of Research at Data and Society, Roya Pakzad, Senior Fellow at Mozilla Foundation, and Anna Lenhart, a scholar studying data intermediaries — on the unique opportunities and challenges civil society researchers face, from accessing platform data to translating findings into insights that reach the right audiences. Listen in as they share lessons learned, practical insights, and perspectives on what it takes to conduct meaningful research that informs technology policy and serves the public interest.

What does it take to build an open, inclusive, and trustworthy internet in a world where technological power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few? In this episode of Tech Talks, CDT President and CEO Alexandra Givens sits down with Sally Wentworth, President and CEO of the Internet Society, to explore the challenges facing the open internet and the future of technology governance. They discuss growing threats to internet fragmentation, the rise of digital sovereignty and online walled gardens, and the challenge of protecting users’ safety without sacrificing privacy, anonymity, or encryption. They also examine emerging cybersecurity threats, the impact of AI, and the importance of defending the multistakeholder model that brings together governments, industry, civil society, and technologists to shape the internet’s future. As trust declines and technological change accelerates, can collaboration still deliver meaningful, inclusive decision-making? And what will it take to ensure that everyone — not just those with the most power and resources — has a voice in shaping the technologies that affect our lives?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how we work, communicate, and make decisions, but its impact is not just a question of technological innovation. It also raises critical questions about fairness, accountability, civil rights, and how we ensure these systems serve everyone. As policymakers, researchers, and communities grapple with these challenges, leaders across sectors are working to shape the future of AI in ways that reflect our values and protect the public interest. In this episode, we're exploring some of the biggest questions facing AI today — from responsible development and governance to ensuring that communities historically impacted by technology are included in shaping its future. Joining us for this conversation is Roy L. Austin, Jr. the Inaugural Director of Howard University School of Law’s almost 1 year old AI initiative and Alex Givens, President and CEO for the Center for Democracy & Technology.

Today's episode is a special recording from a live CDT book talk featuring a conversation about On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear. In a moment, you'll hear CDT's Miranda Bogen in conversation with the book's authors, Julia Angwin and Ami Fields-Meyer. Together, they explore what courage looks like in an era of growing surveillance, political polarization, and institutional pressure. Drawing from the stories in On Courage, the discussion examines how individuals can challenge powerful systems, make principled decisions under difficult circumstances, and build cultures that support dissent when it matters most. Whether you're working in technology, public policy, journalism, or simply thinking about how to navigate an increasingly complex world, this conversation offers valuable insights into the personal and collective choices that shape accountability and democratic resilience. We hope you enjoy this special live edition of Tech Talks.

Talking Tech with Maddy Dwyer & Travis Hall on State AI Regulation by Center for Democracy and Technology

We have another exciting show for you! This summer, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Media Bureau took the unusual step of seeking public comment on whether ABC's The View qualifies as a bona fide news interview program and is therefore exempt from the federal equal opportunities rule — despite the program having received that exemption more than two decades ago. While the proceeding centers on a single television program, its implications reach far beyond The View. The FCC's actions have sparked renewed debate over the role of government in evaluating editorial decisions, the distinction between news, commentary, and entertainment programming, and the constitutional limits on government involvement in the press. In this episode, host Jamal Magby is joined by Kate Ruane, Director of CDT's Free Expression Project, and Ashkhen Kazaryan, Senior Legal Fellow at the Future of Free Speech, to unpack the legal, constitutional, and policy questions at the heart of the proceeding. Together, they explore the history of the equal opportunities rule, why news interview exemptions exist, and what this case could mean for broadcasters, journalists, and the public's access to independent news and information.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, policymakers, technologists, and advocates are grappling with a critical question: how do we govern AI while protecting free expression? In this episode we will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, free speech, and public policy. From AI-powered content moderation to generative AI tools, emerging technologies are reshaping how information is created, shared, and regulated. What role should governments play in overseeing these systems? Where is the line between responsible regulation and censorship? And how can we safeguard fundamental rights while fostering innovation? To unpack these complex issues, we’re joined by John Coleman, Legislative Counsel on AI and Free Expression at FIRE, and Becca Branum, Deputy Director of CDT’s Free Expression Project. Together, they discuss the evolving policy landscape, the challenges posed by AI-driven speech technologies, and what the future of free expression may look like in an AI-powered world.

Talking Tech with Mark Surman and Alexandra Givens by Center for Democracy and Technology

Today’s episode takes a deep dive into one of the most high-profile AI controversies in recent months: the debate surrounding Grok AI. From reports that the system generated harmful content — including material related to non-consensual intimate imagery — to broader concerns about safety guardrails, moderation decisions, and accountability, the situation has sparked serious questions across the tech policy landscape. To help us make sense of what happened and why it matters, we’re joined by Kate Ruane, Director of the Free Expression Project at the Center for Democracy & Technology, and Riana Pfefferkorn, Policy Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence and a CDT Non-Resident Fellow. Together, they examine what the Grok episode reveals about the mounting pressures facing AI companies, the real-world limits of existing safeguards, and the difficult balancing act between preventing harm and protecting free expression. This conversation explores the evolving responsibilities of AI developers — and what this moment signals for the future of speech, safety, and accountability in an AI-driven world. Produced by Drew Courtney and edited by Jake Kauffman.

At the end of last year, CDT Europe’s David Klotsonis and CDT US’ Aliya Bhatia sat down for a transatlantic conversation on one of the most pressing digital policy challenges today: protecting minors online. Drawing on their work tracking debates in both the EU and the US, they unpack how policymakers and platforms are trying to make online spaces safer for young people. The discussion ranges from the influence of platform design choices—like recommender systems—to more controversial tools such as age assurance, with its complex risks and trade-offs. Together, David and Aliya reflect on where approaches align, where they diverge, as well as what these choices mean for the future of child safety online.