Explain to Shane

As social media platforms integrate personalization technology, questions around privacy, transparency, and user choice are becoming increasingly pronounced. What does personalization really mean for users? How do platforms like Facebook and Instagram decide what content or ads you see? And how can companies ensure that personalization enhances user experience without compromising data privacy?In this episode, Shane Tews sits down with Rob Sherman, Vice President and Deputy Chief Privacy Officer for Policy at Meta. They take a look behind the curtain and discuss the mechanics behind personalization on Meta's platforms, as well as how users can benefit from this technology. Rob shares insights from over a decade at Meta, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at how personalization works and how platforms aim to make it more transparent and responsible.

Amid debates over spectrum allocation, critical questions about national security, communication infrastructure, and connectivity continue to take center stage. What does spectrum sharing involve? How does spectrum sharing enhance the efficiency of limited spectrum resources? And what impact does it have on deploying emerging technologies like 5G and AI-driven networks?In this episode, Shane Tews and Peter Rysavy explore spectrum management challenges, sharing opportunities, and technological impacts on 5G networks, emphasizing regulatory frameworks and innovation for optimal spectrum usage. Peter is a wireless technology expert and the President of Rysavy Research, a technology consulting firm. He is also the executive director of the Wireless Technology Association, an organization that evaluates wireless technologies.

Web browsers are built for convenience—prioritizing speed, compatibility, and ease of use. But what happens when a browser isn't for just an individual user but for an entire enterprise? In today's cybersecurity landscape, where threats are constant and data breaches can be catastrophic, organizations need more than just a traditional browser. They need a secure enterprise browser designed to protect corporate data, enforce security policies, and seamlessly integrate with existing IT frameworks without compromising user experience.In this episode, Shane Tews sits down with Scott “Monty” Montgomery, vice president at Island.io, to explore how enterprise browsers redefine security in the digital workspace. They discuss the critical differences between consumer and enterprise browsers, why identity-aware security is essential, and how businesses can fortify their operations against evolving cyber threats.

Digital solutions for vehicle titling and registration are transforming how DMVs operate, replacing slow bureaucratic processes with efficient blockchain-based systems. Through successful partnerships with state governments, companies offering these digital services have demonstrated significant time and cost savings in vehicle-related transactions. This proven track record in modernizing DMV operations creates opportunities to expand similar technological solutions across other government functions, streamlining services beyond the transportation sector.In today's episode of Explain to Shane, Shane interviews Shane Bigelow, CEO of Champ Titles, a company that specializes in digitizing government and business processes. Under Bigelow‘s leadership, Champ Titles has focused on transforming traditional vehicle titling systems with blockchain technology, aiming to reduce costs and improve efficiency in government operations. Before founding Champ Titles, Bigelow gained valuable insights into blockchain's potential for societal impact while serving as senior vice president and managing director at AllianceBernstein.

The United States faces a critical drug shortage crisis every day that jeopardizes patient care across medical specialties. The problem is staggering: 83 percent of oncologists cannot prescribe their preferred chemotherapy treatments, and a shocking 96 percent of these drug shortages stem from human manufacturing issues. In 2023, drug shortages reached a 10-year high, with 309 critical medications in short supply.These shortages have profound real-world consequences, affecting thousands of patients annually. For Laura Bray, the issue became intensely personal when her nine-year-old daughter was unable to receive her doctor's recommended medicine after being diagnosed with leukemia. Drawing on her personal experience and business management background, Laura was motivated to take action. She founded and is the chief changemaker at Angels for Change, a nonprofit organization committed to ensuring access to lifesaving medications by ending drug shortages. Laura is also an adjunct business professor at Hillsborough Community College. Before academia, Laura worked in marketing strategy and small-business management and consulting.

As India's economic landscape evolves amid population growth, crafting regulations that foster progress is critical. But how can India leverage its advanced digital infrastructure and young workforce to drive innovation and create sustainable job opportunities? What regulatory reforms could help create an environment that encourages start-up growth and technological entrepreneurship? And how do proposed reforms like the draft Digital Competition Bill shape up? In this conversation, Shane Tews is joined by Shruti Rajagopalan and Shreyas Narla. Shruti is a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center and a fellow at the Classical Liberal Institute at the New York University School of Law. She leads the India Political Economy program and Emergent Ventures India at Mercatus. Shreyas is a research scholar with the India Political Economy program at Mercatus. Join us as they explore the challenges regulatory frameworks pose, the importance of digital infrastructure, and the need for reforms to foster innovation and growth in India's economy.

In an era when civic literacy is at concerning lows, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate's Senate Immersion Module (SIM) is revolutionizing civic education by transforming students into senators for a day, complete with an innovative AI policy simulation. What can experiential learning reveal about students' capacity to engage with complex policy issues? And how does incorporating emerging topics like AI regulation into civic education help students conceptualize real-world policy challenges?Joining us from the SIM are Adam Hinds, Michael Champigny, and Will Foster-Nolan. Adam is the CEO of the Kennedy Institute. He served as a Massachusetts state senator from 2017 to 2022, chairing the Joint Committee on Revenue and leading post-COVID rebuilding efforts. Michael is the senior associate for curriculum and content at the Kennedy Institute, and Will is the senior manager of education programs at the Kennedy Institute.

What separates the companies that successfully pivot from those that become cautionary tales in business history? How do government regulations either foster or hinder innovation in today's tech landscape? And what can business leaders learn from the countless pivots that shaped America's tech dominance? Joining me to address these questions, which he unpacked in his new book, Pivot or Die: How Leaders Thrive When Everything Changes, is Gary Shapiro. Gary is an author, a lobbyist, and the CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, which represents over 1,300 consumer technology companies.

How is technology revolutionizing access to capital for small businesses? What challenges do these businesses face in securing funding? And what broader role does technology play in improving their access to capital?On the latest episode of Explain to Shane, Shane interviews Anthony Matos, CEO and cofounder of Shubox, a platform designed to help small businesses access capital through the innovative use of data and AI. They discuss how innovative platforms like Shubox leverage AI and alternative data to streamline the lending process, provide valuable insights into business health, and ultimately help small businesses access the capital they need to grow.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, passed by Congress three years ago, set out to close the digital divide by bringing broadband to unserved and underserved communities. Yet despite the ambitious goal of getting all Americans online, progress has been slow. As of September 17, serious delays continue to plague the initiative, with 13 states still waiting for the NTIA to approve their initial proposals. These delays jeopardize the program's effectiveness and risk leaving millions of Americans without access to essential digital infrastructure.Here to sort through the mess are two members of AEI's Broadband Barometer Project, Janice Hauge and Mark Jamison. Janice is a professor in the Department of Economics at the University of North Texas, where she works on broadband policy and regulation in the telecommunications and broadband industry. Mark is a nonresident senior fellow at AEI where he focuses on technology's impact on the economy, telecommunications, and Federal Communications Commission issues. He is concurrently the director and Gunter Professor of the Public Utility Research Center at the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, companies are grappling with the challenges of effectively leveraging AI tools. From data readiness to privacy concerns, the path to successful AI implementation is fraught with complexities. Yet, the potential benefits - from revolutionizing healthcare to enhancing our daily interactions with technology - are too significant to ignore.Here to shed light on these pressing questions is Mark Johnson, co-founder of Michigan Software Labs. With extensive experience in AI consulting, Mark brings valuable insights into the strategies companies are employing to harness the power of AI while addressing its challenges.Join us as we explore the future of AI integration, the potential of brain-computer interfaces, and the delicate balance between innovation and privacy in the age of artificial intelligence.

Recent child online safety bills have ignited a firestorm of controversy. These emotionally charged proposals aim to shield children from online harm, but they've raised serious concerns about potential infringement of First Amendment rights. The current legislative landscape remains uncertain, with various bills at different stages across states and at the federal level.How do we balance the urgent need to protect children with our fundamental rights to free speech? What are the practical implications of proposed age-gating measures? And where do we draw the line between parental responsibility and government intervention?To discuss these challenges and concerns surrounding age-gating on the internet, we're joined by Ari Cohn. Ari serves as Free Speech Counsel at TechFreedom. Prior to this role, he was the director of the Individual Rights Defense Program at the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education and served as an attorney with the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.Join us as we explore age gating, parents' roles in keeping their kids safe, and the current state of child online safety legislation.

Our government grapples with challenges that demand quick solutions and decisive action. However, the government structure often lacks the necessary incentives to drive innovation. This is where Arun Gupta comes in, emphasizing the importance of a renewed partnership between government and entrepreneurs to tackle major societal issues.Arun is the author of Venture Meets Mission: Aligning People, Purpose, and Profit to Innovate and Transform Society. He is also CEO of NobleReach Foundation, a venture capitalist, a lecturer at Stanford University, and an adjunct entrepreneurship professor and senior advisor to the provost at Georgetown University.Tune in as Arun shares insights from his book and discusses the intersection of government, entrepreneurship, and academia.

As the US pushes for a TikTok ban and the EU leads the way in data privacy regulation, experts warn that overly restrictive policies might inadvertently stifle innovation and economic growth. But how do we strike the right balance? What role does data play in shaping our society? How do we categorize and classify the information we generate daily? And what challenges do policymakers face in regulating data?In this timely episode of "Explain to Shane," we dive into the critical intersection of data and society. Shane interviews Cristina Alaimo and Jannis Kallinikos, co-authors of DATA RULES: Reinventing the Market Economy. Cristina is an Assistant Professor in Digital Economy and Society at LUISS University, in Rome, Italy and Jannis is a Full Professor of Information Systems at LUISS Business School.

Is technology really addictive, or is that just another myth? What hidden benefits of AI are we overlooking? And how will the landscape of innovation shift as lawmakers tighten the reins of regulation?In this episode, Shane interviews Robert Atkinson and David Moschella, co-authors of Technology Fears and Scapegoats: 40 Myths About Privacy, Jobs, AI, and Today's Innovation Economy. Robert is president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and author of numerous books on innovation economics and technology. David is a nonresident senior fellow at ITIF. Before joining ITIF, he was a research fellow at Leading Edge Forum where he explored digital technologies' impact on business.Tune in as we dispel leading, and sometimes harmful, myths about technology today.

NTIA is championing Route Origin Authorizations or ROA's as part of the Biden Administration's cybersecurity plan to fend off nation-state hackers and cyberattacks.In tandem with this effort, on June 6, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) advanced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at strengthening internet security through the implementation of border gateway protocols (BGPs) for internet service providers (ISPs). While the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) already encourages federal agencies to embrace these routing security protocols, the FCC's proposed rule would mandate broadband providers to submit confidential reports on their BGP usage.This move is an effort to defend against cyber-attacks by validating the legitimacy of websites and securing web traffic, preventing hackers from spoofing government domains, stealing data, and hijacking critical communications.Here to discuss the policy behind this decision, including routing security, BGPs, and efforts to secure government infrastructure, are Grace Abuhamad and Robert (Bob) Cannon. Grace is the chief of staff at the NTIA, where she previously served as a policy analyst in the Office of International Affairs. Bob is a Senior Telecommunications Policy Analyst at the NTIA. Before joining NTIA, he was a Senior Attorney at the FCC's Office of Policy Analysis.

Outdated systems, sloppy code, and years of quick fixes have created a growing issue of "technical debt" in businesses. This unseen threat poses security risks, slows innovation, and leaves companies running on inefficient systems. Technical debt costs the US an estimated $2.41 trillion annually, with a whopping $1.52 trillion needed just to address the backlog. As businesses prioritize new features over fixing deep-rooted problems, the issues keep piling up, creating deeper vulnerabilities in legacy systems. Joining me today on Explain to Shane is Ken Silva, a renowned industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in tech, cybersecurity, and telecommunications businesses. He is well known for the work he has done as a chief technology officer and as a chief security officer for multiple tech companies.Tune in as we explore the hidden price of technical debt.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected economically, blockchain-based financial networks offer new solutions for facilitating seamless international trade, remittances, and humanitarian aid. What specific advantages do blockchain-based financial networks offer over traditional systems? As global economic interconnectivity increases, what role can blockchain technology play in developing a more robust and efficient infrastructure for cross-border payments?Shane interviews Candace Kelly, Chief Legal Officer of the Stellar Development Foundation, on the latest episode of Explain to Shane. They discuss how blockchain-based payment networks like Stellar are poised to step in and facilitate cross-border transactions when traditional banking falters.

The proliferation of cyber threats has evolved into a crisis: Last year, there were 880 million cybercrime complaints resulting in over $12 billion in losses. Analysts suggest that cybercrime is now the third-largest economy globally after the United States and China. The most pressing challenges in today's cybersecurity landscape include staying ahead of sophisticated and constantly evolving threats. But what technological and cultural shifts are necessary for organizations to stay ahead of these growing dangers?Stepping into the fray is Jason Hogg, an expert in the fight against cybercrime. Currently serving as the Executive-In-Residence at Great Hill Partners, Jason identifies and pursues investment opportunities in the financial technology, insurtech, cyber insurance, and software industries. For more than a decade, he was a senior lecturer and professor of innovation and technology at Cornell University.Join us as we delve into the insights and strategies shaping the future of cybersecurity.

While internet access has spread rapidly across the globe during the past several decades, around three billion people still lack access. Some argue that the solution lies in fiber cable expansions, while others are innovating with satellites to meet users' demands. Satellite connectivity supports network access for users in formerly unconnected geographies by leveraging existing global satellite coverage rather than the arduous process of building additional infrastructure.Today's guests are Brian Barritt and Michael Cheng of Aalyria, a space connectivity company. Brian Barrit, Aalyria's chief technology officer and cofounder, has spent his career developing innovative ways to address connectivity challenges. He's worked as an engineer with NASA, CISCO, Google, and most recently, Meta's innovation labs before starting Aalyria. Michael Cheng, chief product officer at Aalyria, is a lawyer and network engineer by training with deep experience steering technology companies. Before joining Aalyria, Michael served as associate general counsel for mergers and acquisitions at Meta as well as product manager and head of Open Source. He also serves as an adviser to several technology start-ups.Tune in as Brian and Michael illuminate the connectivity problems that Aalyria is working to solve.

While the internet has improved monumentally since its early days of bandwidth restrictions and dial-up, customers are more demanding of the network and have little patience for latency on any of their devices. What causes these interruptions to our usually consistent high-speed streams? Latency, or lag.On today's episode of Explain to Shane, Comcast's Vice President for Technology Policy, Products, and Standards, Jason Livingood, dives into what is being done to solve this challenge. Jason has spent his career addressing the internet's emerging challenges: he's been a pivotal figure in promoting ultra-low latency networking and directing R&D through the Comcast Innovation Fund. He's also served twice on the FCC's Technical Advisory Committee and has spent 16 years on the Member Advisory Board of the Internet Society.Jason will shed light on why latency has become a critical factor for internet users and discuss the steps being taken by Comcast ahead of high-demand streaming events like this summer's Paris Olympics.

The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) is an ambitious attempt to constrain the immense power of Big Tech. But in an interconnected world, regulations made in Europe ripple out to the US and beyond. What do stricter rules in Europe mean for the US's tech sector? How will new regulations impact American data protection? Will the DMA hurt innovation?Today, I am joined by James Lewis. James is the Senior Vice President, Pritzker Chair, and director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies's Strategic Technologies Program where he writes on international innovation and digitalization. In his previous role as a diplomat and member of the Senior Executive Service, he developed policies on cybersecurity, encryption, spectrum management, and global tech issues. Tune in to explore the implications of regulating rapidly changing technologies in our globalized world.

Unwanted calls and messages have become a major nuisance in the digital age. Regulators have scrambled to address rising complaints about these unwanted intrusions, but the persistence of fraudulent communications has undermined consumer faith in our telecommunications infrastructure. Why do these issues persist? And in today's complex digital landscape, how are regulators and policymakers working to balance privacy, consumer trust, and fraud prevention?Today's guest, Dave Stewart, works to address these challenges as the Senior Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer at Somos, a telephone number and identity service provider. Dave works to restore trust in the technology that underlies our daily calls and texts.

When Taylor Swift pulled her music from Spotify in 2014, she shone a spotlight on an issue that persists in the music industry today: artist must jump through major hoops to be compensated for their music that is played across multiple platforms. Nine years later, the economics are still challenging for artists to receive payment for their work. Artists earn some royalties from streaming services and receive no compensation when their music is played on traditional AM or FM radio due to old broadcast rules. These issues are further exacerbated by AI, which poses risks to artists licensed work and raises questions around their creativity being compensated.SoundExchange was created in 2003 to help resolve this issue by tracking listening data across platforms and facilitate payments to artists. Since its creation, the organization has adapted its payment systems for performance royalties to keep pace with the modern music ecosystem as it changes with new technology. On this episode, Michael Huppe, the President and CEO of SoundExchange, joins Shane Tews. Under his leadership, the organization has overseen billions of dollars in payments and has drastically increased royalty rates to artists.Tune in to break down the complex economics of the music industry and the impact of AI technologies on the landscape of music.

Cryptocurrency is transforming finance before our eyes, using technology to put control over money and transactions back into the hands of users. With the potential to enable faster, cheaper, and more transparent transfers, cryptocurrency infrastructure lays the foundation for new avenues of innovation - from self-executing smart contracts to greater privacy and financial digitization. However, for many outside the industry, cryptocurrency remains veiled in confusion. Today's guest, Yuval Rooz, is deeply entrenched in the world of blockchain and digitization. He is the co-founder and CEO of Digital Asser, which uses blockchain technology to modernize the industry underlying today's economy – enabling companies to balance efficiency with privacy. Before founding Digital Asset, he managed an electric algorithmic trading desk at the DRW Trading Group. Tune in to find out how bitcoin and AI are changing the finance industry.

Generative AI poses new challenges for political campaigning and our democracy as we head towards the 2024 presidential election. While this technology could streamline political messaging, there is greater fear that it could enable widespread manipulation and distortion of the democratic process. Heading into a contentious election, how can we assess and mitigate harms from AI-generated disinformation? How will the use of generative AI be different than prior “cheap fake” attempts? How should policymakers prepare for and respond to the use of AI in political advertising?On this episode, Shane is joined by Scott Brennen and Matt Perault, co-authors of “The new political ad machine: Policy frameworks for political ads in an age of AI.” They discuss how generative AI is transforming campaigning and address constituents' pressing concerns around the technology including AI-manipulation risks, synthetic media transparency, and evolving regulations for political advertising.

Quantum computing has the potential to radically advance ourability to solve complex problems, transforming entire industries from drugdiscovery to cybersecurity. But, how does quantum computing really work? What problems can it helppeople and businesses solve? And how does it play into the US's larger nationalstrategic goals?Our guest today is deeply entrenched in the development of quantumedge computing, which allows quantum computer deployment closer to where thedata is generated and processed. Quantum edge computing can lead to performanceimprovement, optimization results, and reduce latency in informationprocessing. Alan Baratz is the CEO of D-Wave. Alan has spearheadedbringing quantum optimization solutions into the consumer mainstream, applyingthem to real-world challenges like tsunami relief and carbon emissionreduction. With over 25 years of experience developing leading technologies, heprovides an insider view into the realities and possibilities of quantumcomputing.Tune in as Alan demystifies the complex world of quantumcomputing.

Paperwork and manual forms are still the norm for most industries today, but this outdated process is begging for a digital overhaul. Emerging software solutions can fully digitize documents and forms using advanced source code technology, providing pathways to ease information flows. Can this technology revolutionize the way businesses and governments tackle administrative tasks? How can the digital transformation of traditionally paper-based processes enhance consumers' experiences across industries?Our guest today has paved the way in easing the form process for consumers and businesses alike. Scott Wyatt is the founder of the recently patented Form Engine software, which speeds up the business and government world by digitizing their form and document processes. He has worked on devising technology-based solutions to outdated business models for over 20 years. Tune in as we dive deep on the technologies promising to modernize businesses and governments.

As we adopt technology at every level of our lives, these technological advancements can also open the door to more cyber risks. The increasing sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks are a threat to government agencies, private companies, and individual users alike. Given the interconnectedness of our digital economy, how can public users and companies take steps to protect themselves from cybercriminals? What steps can we take to guard our data from criminals? And can we identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited and defend our digital assets from attacks?Today's guest has thought deeply about these questions and works to address emerging cyber threats head-on. Today's guest, Lieutenant General Harry Raduege, is the President and CEO of the National Cybersecurity Center, a nonprofit that works to raise cyber awareness and integrate cybersecurity into every aspect of our interconnected lives. The Center helps serve small and medium businesses, partners with K-12 schools and higher education to create educational programs, and brings together people and organizations to learn about protecting systems and devices from cyber attacks and how to solve cyber-related problems. Before his work at the National Cybersecurity Center, Harry served in the Air Force for over 30 years where he was the Chief Information Officer of the Space Command, Chief Information Officer of NORAD, and Commander of the Joint Rask Force-Global Network Operations. Lieutenant Raduege joins the show with invaluable insights from working in cybersecurity.

Recent developments in transatlantic data sharing agreements serve as a baseline for the importance of cooperation between countries in the digital age. From the new Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework (TDPF) to the cybersecurity proposals before the United Nation, there are both areas of agreement and concern.To walk through some of the recent global protocols, Shane spoke with Sujit Raman about his expertise in data protection, national security, and negotiating legal agreements on behalf of the United States on many of these important policy priorities.Sujit is the Chief Legal Officer of TRM Labs, a leading blockchain and Web 3 analytics company, and a senior fellow in the Tech, Law and Security Program at American University. From 2017-2020 he served as US Associate Deputy Attorney General with responsibility for data protection, emerging technologies, and cyber-related criminal and national security investigations and prosecutions. In this capacity, he represented the United States in high-profile negotiations with the United Kingdom Australia, and the European Union, and co-led the U.S. delegation to the G6 Interior Minister's conference in Munich in 2019.

The explosion of large language models (LLMs) into the public sphere in 2023 here in Washington has raised many questions on how much artificial intelligence (AI) should be under the direct scrutiny of the government. Should we proceed with as much caution as Europe? Will AI as we know it today become misaligned with our interests? AI should lead us towards the next economic boom, but will the involvement of the government hasten or inhibit that?To sift through some of these deeper policy questions, Shane spoke with Rob Reich about his work in philosophy, politics, and technology.Rob Reich is a Professor of Political Science at Stanford University. He is also the faculty co-director of Stanford's Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS), the faculty director of the McCoy Center for Ethics in Society, and the associate director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI).Rob discusses the merits (and limitations) of the precautionary principle and other points from his book, System Error: Where Big Tech Went Wrong and How We Can Reboot. Shane reiterates how stifling innovation can lead to worse outcomes than expected but that thoughtlessness on AI is a mistake just as well. Tune in as Shane and Rob examine the circuitry of America's AI moment.

In this live episode of Explain to Shane, Shane wraps up her discussion with AEI Senior Fellow Brent Orrell on generative artificial intelligence tools and automation's relationship to in-demand skills in the labor market. The two scholars get at the heart of how we should view automation and the imperative that it places on our institutions—and ourselves. The crowd—the 2023 AEI Summer Honors Program student cohort—also has a chance to ask questions since they will soon be embarking on their own career journey.Missed the first part of the conversation? Listen to Part I here!

In this live episode of Explain to Shane, Shane joins AEI Senior Fellow Brent Orrell on the stage to discuss how the latest advancements in automation through large language models (LLMs) are accelerating discussions around what skills are the most valuable in the labor market. The crowd has a vested interest in their insights—the 2023 AEI Summer Honors Program student cohort—but their conversation is enlightening for the broader tech policy crowd too. In Part I of this two-part episode, Shane and Brent unpack recent advancements in LLMs and what these products are good at, and what students should be thinking about in this new automation context.

In this episode of Explain to Shane, Shane walks through Sandboxx, the digital platform designed by veterans and service members to help connect the military community with secure tools. Sandboxx's co-founder and CEO, Sam Meek explains how this groundbreaking platform, inspired by Sam's experiences in the US Marine Corps, is enabling a support system for the military community that uses today's technology. The app has emerged as a critical resource for most of the active military and has sent over 8.5 million letters to recruits and deployed service members worldwide. Shane and Sam unpack the intricacies of Sandboxx, a digital communication and training platform with an impressive 4 million users, co-created by Sam and Major General Ray L. Smith. Throughout this conversation, Sam's insightful perspective as a military veteran turned tech innovator displays the immense impact Sandboxx has on the military community and the importance of tailored online resources for our heroes in uniform. Sam helps us to understand the importance of how this app plays a transformative role in the military landscape. It's a tale of technology, dedication, and the unyielding spirit of support for our service members.

The recent neo-Brandeisian tack in antitrust policy has kicked up a lot of dust, obscuring much of the evidence that pokes holes in a more aggressive Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under Lina Khan. Is big really bad, though, when it comes to technology antitrust policy? Join us in this episode of Explain to Shane as we explore this pressing question and more with our guest, Daniel Francis.Daniel is a faculty member at NYU School of Law and a leading legal expert in antitrust policy given his experience as Deputy Director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition. In this thought-provoking conversation, he dives deep into the misconceptions surrounding the current policy landscape, specifically focusing on the AICOA and OAMA bills, and evaluates the recent development of the FTC sending advisors to the European Union.Daniel points out a natural experiment unfolding in Europe, while Shane reminds us of the danger of drawing arbitrary lines in tech legislation. Get ready to expand your understanding of technology antitrust and the challenges that lie ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.

It is clear that African nations are gearing up for a major leap forward in economic growth thanks to recent technological innovations in artificial intelligence and enhanced availability of technology tools to individuals. The African Development Bank anticipates an average of 4 percent real GDP growth in 2023 and 2024. How are legal frameworks keeping pace with that growth, especially regarding disruptive technology?In this episode of Explain to Shane, Shane interviews Susan "Guya" Obunga Otieno, a legal advisor for PICHA, a digital media company that specializes in African photography and digital imagery. They discuss the state of privacy law in Africa, the growing African stock photography market, generative artificial intelligence and African languages, and how PICHA is working to empower African photographers and the intellectual property elements of the business.Guya shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities of doing business in Africa, the power of photography to tell stories and connect people, and the importance of protecting the privacy of African citizens. Shane emphasizes the need for revised privacy laws here in the United States to enable data protection on an international scale. This is a fascinating and timely episode that will give you a new perspective on African industry and the people who are growing it.

This year has witnessed some extremely impressive breakthroughs in generative artificial intelligence models, with OpenAI releasing GPT-4, Google with its Bard LLM, and many more competitors. But what might be less well-known is that there's a whole class of music-making AI software rising, and it's creating everything from symphonies to viral rap collaborations between Drake and the Weeknd. Some impressive, and some outright bad, the music industry is preparing to have another “Napster moment.” What will this mean for ownership and intellectual property? How will recording artists maintain control over their distinct styles and brands? What are market solutions to this, and where should policy step in?To cut through the noise, we have David Hughes on the podcast. Hughes wields extensive experience in the music industry, having worked for Sony and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for many years, now running his own consulting firm.In this episode, Shane investigates what AI will mean for the music we love. Don't miss a beat—tune in now!

Throughout the Biden administration and this Congress, spectrum has been a priority for nearly everyone else in the world—except for us. We're currently 378 megahertz behind other countries on mid-band spectrum, a vital resource for 5G communications quality. Spectrum isn't anything we can see or touch, yet it's all around us. However it is perhaps the most important infrastructure for our modern age as more and more tech communicates wirelessly. It is also a finite resource, which makes changes to its allocation exceedingly touchy. How can we navigate this pressing allocation issue within a context of selfishness and scarcity?To walk us through what is holding us back on spectrum, we have Roger Entner back on the podcast. Entner is the founder of Recon Analytics, but his vast telecommunications experience includes being the senior vice president and head of research at Nielsen Media Research.In this episode, Shane reiterates spectrum's necessity while Roger identifies the smoking gun. Tune in as they band together on the precious resource of spectrum!

Two of the long-tail fears surrounding the future of the internet are the danger of creating either an internet controlled by the hands of the few and powerful at a global scale or what's known as the “splinternet”—the cabining off of nation-states' networks from the mainstream due to censorship, technological change, or commercial fragmentation. Susan Ness sees something that lies between those poles. As a former FCC commissioner, Ness has extensive insight into the national and international machinations of the superstructure of our internet, and she has been crafting a new framework for understanding where the internet could go. Modularity is a co-regulatory approach to internet platform governance that helps to align democracies despite different legal systems, different regulatory horizons, and different societal norms. But how can we ensure that more illiberal governments don't take advantage of this much more federated approach?In this episode, Shane explores Ness' concept of modularity from all sides. Tune in as they connect the nodes on internet governance innovation!

Unauthorized network access was the most common cause of third-party cyber attacks in 2022. This includes ransomware and phishing attacks that created internal network compromises that were responsible for 40 percent of third-party cybersecurity breaches. Are we really heading toward a more secure internet? Protection from cybersecurity scams needs more security by design and an ability to give more tools to consumers for better privacy and security control.To get at the heart of some of these concerns, we interviewed AEI's very own Paul Kupiec and Thomas Vartanian. Kupiec is a colleague at the American Enterprise Institute who focuses on systemic risk and the management and regulation of banks and financial markets. Before joining AEI, Paul worked at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the International Monetary Fund, Freddie Mac, JP Morgan, and for the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System. Vartanian is the author of The Unbreakable Internet and has served as General Counsel of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board during the saving and loans crisis and as Special Assistant to the Chief Counsel of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. He is also the author of 200 Years of American Financial Panic, which is rising on the best-seller list. Tom currently leads the Financial Technology and Cybersecurity Center. In this episode, Shane walks us through just one of the many approaches to creating a more secure internet for all. We hope you enjoy the conversation.

Situated squarely in the digital age, yet still years behind the curve, our government spends upwards of $100 billion on its IT and cyber needs annually according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). With all that money being spent, how do we know we're getting not only the best deal on software but also the most secure systems?The National Cybersecurity Strategy calls for holding software companies liable for the security flaws in their products. This is an opportunity for the federal government to bring forward a new standard of good cybersecurity protocols. The White House plan invites the modernizing of government IT infrastructure to review the inherent vulnerabilities of legacy software and the licensing of software to federal government agencies. But how will this be accomplished? What does sound procurement look like?To help us sort through this topic, we are joined by Ryan Triplette, executive director of the Coalition for Fair Software Licensing.In this episode, Shane walks us through what's involved in efficient, safe software procurement. Tune in as they sift through the paperwork!

Myriad questions are swirling around telecommunications policy at the outset of this year. Elon Musk's Starlink and Jeff Bezos' Kuiper are heating up the discussion surrounding Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet. The FCC's ability to auction off spectrum is up for reauthorization on March 9th, securing a vital asset for the regulatory body to disburse. And massive sums of money are being made available for broadband expansion, but with serious uncertainty on how to effectively use it. But how can we safeguard good governance over the technology that enables us to communicate so easily over such great distances in these important moments? To help identify such strategies, we are joined by Michael O'Rielly, former FCC Commissioner, telecommunications consultant, and public servant.In this episode, Shane reminds us that “free” doesn't mean no one is paying, that auctions matter, and that satellites are more than rocket science—among many other things. Tune in as they separate the signal from the noise on telecommunications policy!