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Listen to monthly episodes of Tech Swamp for global tech policy and business headlines, tidbits of tech history, and topical policy deep-dives on legislation and regulation in the U.S., EU, UK, and around the globe!
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Ahoy, mateys! We’re celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day with a special mini-episode. But instead of eye patches and parrots, we’re talking about real piracy...the kind that steals music, apps, and code. We’re joined by ACT | The App Association's president, (Captain) Morgan Reed, to dig into the history of Talk Like a Pirate Day and why piracy and intellectual property protections matter now more than ever, especially in the age of AI.
In the evolving age of artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), and emerging technologies, the standard-essential patent (SEP) licensing process can significantly impact whether startups have a fair shot or face new barriers. In this episode, we explore how the global SEP licensing landscape affects small innovators, from their ability to launch new products and attract investment, to the risks of regulatory approaches that drive up compliance costs instead of lowering barriers. You’ll hear what’s at stake for startups and small tech in the SEP licensing space, and why getting it right is critical for the future of innovation.
How are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and scaleups driving progress toward the EU’s Digital Decade goals? Hear directly from the startups and businesses behind the wheel as ACT | The App Association’s Maria Goikoetxea moderates a discussion with member company representatives examining how targeted, innovation-friendly policies can help amplify their impact and boost European competitiveness. Representatives of member companies will include Jonas Almeling, Ecosystem Entrepreneur and ACT EU Ambassador, Jason Culloty, CEO of Skillsvista, and Federico Roviglioni, COO of Bufaga.
Note on Audio Quality: We experienced some unexpected microphone issues toward the end of the live panel discussion, resulting in lower volume levels, especially during the final few minutes. We recommend checking out the full transcript in our show notes for anything you may have missed. Thanks for tuning in, and we appreciate your patience!
In this Deep Dive episode of Tech Swamp, we’re putting the spotlight on artificial intelligence and what it actually looks like in the hands of innovators building the future of work. As the EU launches the world’s first AI law, the UK fine-tunes its light-touch approach, and the U.S. walks away from national guardrails, startups are left navigating a maze of global rules with no clear map.
We’re joined by Faizan Alam, founder of member company Remodid, a remote-first platform using AI to make hiring smarter, faster, and more inclusive. From balancing bots and human talent to what founders need from policymakers, this episode unpacks what it means to build responsibly in a moment of global regulatory flux.
At the start of the 118th Congress, we held a webinar that mapped the key opportunities and risks for small tech in a new legislative landscape. Now, with Congress actively advancing bills on AI, data privacy, and economic competitiveness, the insights from this discussion are no longer speculative; they’re a playbook. We’re revisiting the policies that are gaining traction, the strategies small businesses can use to stay ahead, and what’s on the table as the session continues to unfold.
We’re breaking down the top policy issues shaping the app economy ahead of ACT | The App Association’s Global App Economy Conferences in the U.S. next month. From data privacy and AI regulation to mergers, digital trade, and SEPs, we’re unpacking what’s at stake for independent developers and small businesses and how smart policies can drive innovation, competition, and global market access.
We’re bringing you a special Deep Dive episode featuring our SXSW 2025 panel discussion on the rise of data breaches, the critical role of encryption, and the policy challenges shaping global cybersecurity. From the UK’s recent actions around encryption oversight and high-profile attacks like Salt Typhoon to the impact of weak security measures on disenfranchised communities, we’re unpacking what’s at stake for independent developers, small businesses, and consumers worldwide. Listen in as our panel of experts explores how smart policies can protect sensitive data while ensuring innovation and competition thrive.
We’re breaking down the top policy issues shaping the app economy ahead of ACT | The App Association’s Global App Economy Conferences in the EU and UK next month. From data privacy and AI regulation to mergers, digital trade, and SEPs, we’re unpacking what’s at stake for independent developers and small businesses and how smart policies can drive innovation, competition, and global market access.
This month on Tech Swamp, we’re diving into how wearable tech is revolutionizing healthcare for underserved communities, tackling everything from chronic illness to disease prevention. But with cost and accessibility challenges still in the way, could bills like the WEAR IT Act break down these barriers? Join us as we unpack the potential of wearables to save lives, reduce healthcare costs, and level the playing field in health access.
In our final episode of 2024, we reflect on the year’s major tech policy shifts affecting SMEs, developers, and innovators. From SEP licensing, digital trade, and AI regulation to data privacy and cybersecurity, we cover the challenges and wins that shaped the app economy.
We also want to hear from you! Complete our end-of-year survey (link in show notes) for a chance to win a guest spot on Global Tech Swamp.
Listen now and join us as we wrap up 2024 and look ahead to 2025!
We’re diving into the ripple effects of 2024’s major elections on tech policy and small business innovation. From the EU’s shifting regulatory priorities to the UK’s post-election opportunities for SMEs and the evolving U.S. digital trade and AI landscape, we explore what these changes mean for startups and entrepreneurs in the app economy. Join your hosts as they unpack key policy shifts, challenges, and opportunities with insights from our expert policy teams worldwide. Whether you’re navigating new compliance hurdles or looking to scale globally, this episode offers critical takeaways to help you stay ahead in an increasingly interconnected world.
In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’re discussing critical cybersecurity issues, diving into topics around data privacy, encryption, and the impact of current and proposed regulations on digital security. Developer and ACT | The App Association member representative Mitchel Volkering joins the discussion to provide insights on encryption, the importance of secure platform-provided tools, and the risks posed by underregulated app marketplaces, especially for vulnerable users like children and teens. Join us for more on practical steps policymakers and users alike can take to enhance digital security.
In this month’s special crossover with the Unfog the Climate podcast, we’re chatting with Alexis Normand from ACT | The App Association member company Greenly, a global small business leading the charge on sustainability and carbon tracking. Alexis dives into Greenly’s mission, the importance of carbon reporting, and how our partnership aims to help small businesses comply with carbon reporting guidelines. We also touch on how green tech intersects with standard-essential patent (SEPs) licensing, highlighting how a fair SEP licensing framework is crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) driving eco-friendly innovations.
Jonas Almeling, self-proclaimed ecosystem strategist, innovation leader, and startup scaling expert, joins Chelsea Thomas, executive director here at ACT | The App Association, for a deep-dive discussion into the EU’s relationship with regulation and innovation. Jonas and Chelsea outline the pros and cons of the EU’s regulatory environment for small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and discuss how entrepreneurs can join movements that advocate for the small business perspective.
In this episode, we delve into the global regulatory environment and its profound impact on small business success. We’ll talk through how certain regulations can delay the rollout of cutting-edge features, introduce security risks, and affect consumer trust. We'll also discuss how these regulations shape venture capital investment and global competitiveness. Don't miss our upcoming deep dive with ACT | The App Association’s executive director, Chelsea Thomas, where we'll explore these issues in even greater detail before the end of the summer.
In this episode, we're exploring how small businesses are the key to responsible AI adoption and why a regulatory environment that rewards and inspires innovation is essential for them to thrive. Later, we’re joined by Trish Thomas from member company Akamai Strategy for a deep dive into a current regulatory environment that, if not addressed, could stifle AI and IoT innovation for decades to come.
Join us for a crucial conversation on privacy challenges for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. We'll explore the vital themes related to the ways privacy breaches impact these communities, including issues with prison communications technology and apps like Clubhouse. Learn how the small app developer community can help mitigate these harms through brief firestarter conversations followed by a deep dive roundtable discussion.
Note: Matt Schwartz is a former policy associate at Innovators Network Foundation. The information here is presented in his capacity as a privacy policy expert.
Join us as we discuss all things AppCon’24. We’re sitting down with Graham Dufault, general counsel at ACT | The App Association, for an overview of all issue areas our members will be taking to the Hill and regulatory agencies this AppCon, including mergers and acquisitions, digital trade, privacy, and more.
Chelsea Thomas, executive director of ACT | The App Association, will join us for a digital trade and competition update. We’ll discuss some of the DMA-related actions in the EU and highlight how digital trade issues in the United States could impact small business entrepreneurs everywhere.
We’re being joined by Priya Nair, IP counsel and IP fellowship coordinator at the Innovators Network Foundation, for a global SEP-isode! We’re talking through the recent EU SEP Regulation vote and some recent standard-essential patent happenings in the United States and UK.
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