RTP's Fourth Branch Podcast

What are the effects of AI on the already contentious debate concerning age verification technology? An illustrious panel of experts sit down to discuss the issues surrounding these breakthrough innovations and the effect on children in a technological world. Featuring: Graham Dufault, General Counsel, ACT | The App Association Jennifer Huddleston, Senior Fellow in Technology Policy, Cato Institute Clare Morell, Fellow, Ethics & Public Policy Center (Moderator) Prof. Kevin Frazier, AI Innovation and Law Fellow at the University of Texas School of Law; adjunct Research Fellow at the Cato Institute

Join tech and legal experts Prof. Kevin Frazier (University of Texas School of Law), Neil Chilson (Abundance Institute), and Charlie Bullock (Institute for Law & AI) for a breakdown of AI legal policy and regulatory developments in 2025 at the state, federal and executive levels, and the future of AI policy in 2026.

What waters are considered “waters of the United States” or WOTUS under the Clean Water Act (CWA)? This question is critical because it determines which waters are regulated under the statute. The EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have struggled to develop a definition that can pass legal muster, in large part because they have tried to regulate waters that go beyond their statutory authority. For many years, the courts didn’t provide clarity either. But in 2023, the US Supreme Court in Sackett v. EPA specified what waters are regulated, including to what extent wetlands are covered. Currently, a new proposed WOTUS rule is being reviewed by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. What should the rule include and what is required for the rule to be consistent with Sackett? The Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Daren Bakst discusses this important issue with Charles Yates, an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation who was on the litigation team that represented Chantel and Michael Sacket before the US Supreme Court.

Startups often struggle to balance financial constraints with the pursuit of innovation, raising questions about how they can effectively advocate for themselves within the tech industry. In Washington, D.C. and abroad, various organizations promote the growth of smaller innovators, yet many "little tech" firms still face challenges meeting regulatory requirements. How do regulatory frameworks affect smaller innovators and their ability to compete? What balance should be struck between oversight and innovation? How can policymakers incentivize little tech companies without creating a disadvantage for Big Tech firms or consumers?Join the Federalist Society’s Regulatory Transparency Project and host Prof. Kevin Frazier for an in-depth discussion of the “Little Tech Agenda” with special guest Kate Tummarello at Engine | Advocacy & Foundation.

Over the past 30 years, the United States has experienced rapid technological change. Yet in recent years, innovation appears to have plateaued. The iPhone of four years ago is nearly identical to today’s model, and the internet has changed little over the same period. Little tech companies play a significant role in generating new ideas and technological development. In this episode, experts discuss the financial gains and risks of incentivising little tech innovation and offer policy recommendations that encourage investment in the "littlest tech" firms to drive future breakthroughs.Join the Federalist Society’s Regulatory Transparency Project and host Prof. Kevin Frazier for an in-depth discussion of the “Little Tech Agenda” with special guest Dave Karpf, Associate Professor at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs.