POLITICO Tech

Anthropic agreed to pay $1.5 billion to authors whose pirated books the company used to train its AI model, an eye-popping amount and one of the first big settlements of its kind. With so many copyright cases hanging out in the courts, could this be the first of many big payouts to come? On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly put that question and others to Keith Kupferschmid, the CEO of the Copyright Alliance.  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

The federal government is buying artificial intelligence technology at deeply discounted rates — part of an effort to bring agencies into modern times. And for companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, it’s a chance to get the government hooked on their products. On POLITICO Tech, Box CEO Aaron Levie joins host Steven Overly to discuss his own bargain for the Trump administration, why these deals are happening now and what an AI-powered government could look like. 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

With mounting concerns about AI leading to job losses, policymakers are grappling with how to prepare workers for major changes ahead — and the disruption that has already begun. Bharat Ramamurti was the deputy director of the National Economic Council under President Joe Biden and, in a recent opinion piece, he called AI-driven unemployment “the biggest economic issue no one is talking about.” On POLITICO Tech, Ramamurti joins host Steven Overly to delve into the AI-driven economic fears that could dominate the next election cycle. 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. Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO. Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/fAomeYxofK/ Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ctxDXxrE1W/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a senior policy adviser in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dean Ball helped write President Donald Trump’s recently released AI Action Plan. This week, Ball left the administration and plans to continue shaping AI policy from outside the White House. On POLITICO Tech, Ball joins host Steven Overly to discuss the government’s role in regulating artificial intelligence, Trump allowing China to buy American microchips, and whether the rush of AI investment will lead to a market bubble. 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. Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0KEjTXFuS0/ Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/MHh0nBFuwg/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) was a tech adviser to President Barack Obama back when Washington was first grappling with artificial intelligence. Now, he’s introducing legislation this week with Rep. John McGuire (R-Va.) that aims to prepare the federal government for quantum computing, and how hackers could tap its speed and power to steal sensitive data. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly talks with Subramanyam about the cybersecurity risks that await in a post-quantum world. Plus, how he’s sizing up President Donald Trump’s new AI Action Plan. 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. Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/SuM3BuGKCm/ Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/LT5xCqqxIr/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin may garner lots of attention, but there are a growing number of tech companies now chasing commercial and defense opportunities in space. And they’re ratcheting up the competition for longtime contractors who sell to the federal government. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Rob Geckle, the CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, to discuss Silicon Valley breaking into the defense business, the U.S. space race with China and looming federal budget cuts. 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. Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/M3oIpqDzG6/ Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0KEjTXFuS0/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump unveiled his AI Action Plan, which effectively outlines his strategy for keeping the U.S. at the forefront of artificial intelligence. And for the most part, it’s a gift to Silicon Valley — slashing AI regulation at the federal level and trying to halt it in the states. But, one part of the plan will drag tech further into Trump’s war on wokeness. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly breaks down key provisions of the plan and how they could be implemented with Neil Chilson, the head of AI policy at the libertarian Abundance Institute. 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. Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/fAomeYxofK/ Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ctxDXxrE1W/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly warned that artificial intelligence poses a danger to humanity. And as the U.S. and other governments turn away from regulating AI, the Catholic Church is emerging as a vocal skeptic on the world stage. One of the influential voices shaping those calls is Father Paolo Benanti, a professor and author who acts as the Vatican’s de facto adviser on AI. On POLITICO Tech, Benanti joins host Steven Overly to discuss ethical concerns surrounding AI and why he thinks regulators have a duty to make tough decisions. 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. Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ctxDXxrE1W/ Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/baUrypCivw/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a power struggle between humanity and technology. And Vilas Dhar, president and trustee of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, argues humanity coming out on top depends not just on regulation, but on people regaining agency vis-à-vis technology and a voice in how it is created. On POLITICO Tech, Dhar joins host Steven Overly to discuss how humans can reclaim their power, and why he thinks an initial step should be creating a national digital identification system.    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. Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0KEjTXFuS0/ Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/baUrypCivw/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick McGee has written the definitive book on how Apple supercharged China’s development into a global manufacturing colossus and leveraged its relationship with Beijing to become one of the most iconic consumer tech brands in history. Now, the author of “Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company” joins POLITICO Tech guest host Phelim Kine to break down how Apple’s reliance on China has become a toxic codependency that has trapped the company at the center of U.S.-China trade tensions that have upended a decades-old business model hinged on a “Made in China” export production model. Phelim Kine is POLITICO’s DC-based China and Indo-Pacific Affairs correspondent. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech. Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Intro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ctxDXxrE1W/ Outro: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0KEjTXFuS0/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Communications Commission will meet today with a new Republican majority after the confirmation of former Capitol Hill staffer Olivia Trusty. That’s likely to boost Chair Brendan Carr’s Trump-approved agenda as he ramps up scrutiny of TV broadcasters and social media platforms over perceived conservative bias. On POLITICO Tech, reporter John Hendel joins host Steven Overly to explain the political makeup of the nation’s chief communications regulator and what to expect in the months ahead.  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

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. 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

Mississippi is trying to position itself as the “Digital Delta” — a hub in the American South for artificial intelligence development and data centers. It’s one of many states that largely missed out on the internet boom and are now looking for AI to boost their local economy.  On POLITICO Tech, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves joins host Steven Overly to discuss how his state is trying to seize the  AI moment, from energy production to workforce training. Plus, they discuss how policy being set in Washington, from the proposed moratorium on state AI laws to the crackdown on international student visas, could impact his state.   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

Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) is big on investing in research in cutting-edge technologies, especially artificial intelligence and biotechnology. But lately, that’s put him in a position of pushing back against the leader of his own party, President Donald Trump, who has imposed steep and swift cuts to federal research funding at agencies and universities. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Young for a live interview at the AI+ Expo in Washington to talk about that tension and more.  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

Vice President JD Vance told a crypto conference this week that the industry “finally has a champion and an ally in the White House.” And, he’s right. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has largely reversed the industry’s fortunes in Washington. But the industry’s fortunes are now Trump’s fortunes, as the president and his family plunge deeper into the digital currency business. That’s starting to concern some Republicans and crypto lobbyists pushing the industry’s agenda. On POLITICO Tech, POLITICO capital markets reporter Declan Harty joins host Steven Overly to explain why. Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology. Declan Harty covers U.S. capital markets and regulation of Wall Street for POLITICO. 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

House Republicans narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful” reconciliation bill, including a provision that would block states from enforcing new AI regulations for a decade. The proposal, which now heads to the Senate, has backing from industry but faces fierce opposition from state attorneys general and AI safety hawks. Even some opponents of tech regulation worry the moratorium is too broad and too long. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly unpacks the proposal with Sam Hammond, the chief economist at the Foundation for American Innovation.  Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of trade 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

A large contingent of Silicon Valley CEOs followed President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia this week, where a number of them announced billions of dollars in AI-related investments and business partnerships. Mohammed Soliman, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, says this is the new Middle East — where the relationship with the U.S. is driven by tech and innovation, not just oil and security. On POLITICO Tech, Soliman tells host Steven Overly how this new arrangement benefits tech companies and Gulf nations — and why it’s necessary if the U.S. hopes to stay ahead of China.  Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of trade 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

The saga over control of OpenAI took yet another turn this week when the ChatGPT maker announced it will no longer try to splinter off from the nonprofit that controls it. But critics of that plan, including former OpenAI employee Page Hedley, aren’t exactly taking a victory lap. On POLITICO Tech, Hedley joins host Steven Overly to explain why the latest news still leaves some doubt about OpenAI’s commitment to its founding mission of building artificial intelligence that’s good for humanity.   Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of trade and technology. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech. Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump was sworn into office just over 100 days ago. And ever since Inauguration Day, tech industry leaders like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have been a regular presence at the White House. But the start of Trump’s term — from tariffs to antitrust trials to DOGE cuts — has been rocky for Silicon Valley. On POLITICO Tech, reporter Brendan Bordelon joins host Steven Overly for a debrief on Trump’s first 100 days in office, and a look at what’s to come in the next 100. Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of trade and technology. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg spent hours in a Washington courtroom this week answering questions about his decision to buy Instagram and WhatsApp more than a decade ago — and whether the social media empire he now oversees is a monopoly. Losing the high-stakes lawsuit, which was brought by the Federal Trade Commission, could ultimately lead to Meta being broken up. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly unpacks Meta’s week in court with former Republican FTC Chair Bill Kovacic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices