CDT Tech Talks

Hosted by Center for Democracy and Technology

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Episodes

157

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Tech Talks are a podcast imagined and created by the folks over at the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT). We're a 501(c)3 nonpartisan nonprofit organization that fights to put democracy and human rights at the center of the digital revolution. We work to promote democratic values by shaping technology policy and architecture, with a focus on equity and justice. #techtalkcdt Support CDT's work with a donation: https://cdt.org/techtalk/

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60 recent

June 3, 202630 min

Talking Tech with Becca Branum & John Coleman on Free Speech & AI

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.

April 13, 202636 min

Talking Tech with Mark Surman and Alexandra Givens

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

February 26, 202629 min

Talking Tech with Kate Ruane & Riana Pfefferkorn on Grok AI

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.

January 29, 202628 min

Talking Tech with Aliya Bhatia & David Klotsonis on Protecting Minors Online: A Transatlantic View on Platform Safety

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.

December 22, 20259 min

TechProm Tech Talk - Episode 2

Background Music Credit: "Chill Upbeat" by FreeMusicForVideo on pixabay.com

December 22, 20258 min

Tech Prom Tech Talk - Episode 1

Background Music Credit: "Upbeat Music" by DELOSound on pixabay.com

December 22, 202510 min

Tech Prom Tech Talk - Episode 3

Recorded on the night of the greatest party the on tech policy calendar -- Tech Prom!

December 22, 202512 min

Tech Prom Tech Talk - Episode 4

CW: Language Background Music Credit: "Background Music Upbeat" by DELOSound on pixabay.com

December 12, 202545 min

Tech Talks on Fair and Accountable AI: Data, Agents, and Regulation

Questions of equity, accountability, and data use are taking center stage now that AI reshapes everything from public services to private industry. This episode kicks off our mini transnational series, bringing together CDT Europe’s Laura Lazaro Cabrera and CDT US’s Miranda Bogen for an in-depth conversation on how AI governance is evolving on both sides of the Atlantic. They explore how emerging technologies like AI agents and longstanding data protection principles collide to shape the future of fair and accountable AI. Laura and Miranda also compare the distinct approaches of the EU and the US, highlighting both areas of alignment and key differences in how regulations and organisational incentives are shaping the future of AI

October 15, 202535 min

Talking Tech with Amy Winecoff and Umang Bhatt on AI-Documentation

As AI systems become more embedded in critical decisions—from healthcare to hiring—the need for transparency and trust has never been greater. But how do we document these powerful tools in a way that’s both meaningful and actionable? In this episode, we’ll welcome back Umang Bhatt, Assistant Professor in Trustworthy AI at the University of Cambridge and welcome Amy Winecoff, Senior Technologist for CDT as guest host. Together they’ll explore the evolving landscape of AI documentation, its role in responsible deployment, and how emerging standards can help developers, policymakers, and the public understand and govern machine learning models more effectively.