Two Think Minimum

The Economics of AI: Prediction Machines and Their Impact with Ajay Agrawal by Technology Policy Institute

In this episode of Two Think Minimum, Ellen P. Goodman, a distinguished professor of law at Rutgers Law School and former Senior Advisor for Algorithmic Justice at NTIA, U.S. Department of Commerce discusses artificial intelligence accountability policy. The podcast revolves around the NTIA AI Accountability Policy Report, which was released in March 2024, which Goodman was the principal author of. Goodman shares insights into the process of gathering and analyzing public comments for the report, the challenges of defining accountability in the context of AI, and the complexities of establishing standards in a rapidly evolving field. The conversation also touches on the potential impact of AI on labor markets, the role of auditors in ensuring AI accountability, and the government's own use of AI technology. Goodman concludes by discussing her current research on AI and copyright issues, particularly the copyrightability of AI-generated outputs.

In this episode of Two Think Minimum, MIT Professor Catherine Tucker discusses her research on competition policy and artificial intelligence. The discussion focuses on how AI's unique cost structures differs from that of traditional digital economics, how economists think about AI, and the implications of AI for competition policy and antitrust enforcement. Tucker explains that the current high fixed and marginal costs in AI are likely temporary, and that it's difficult to predict which firms will succeed in the AI industry. She also highlights the challenges AI poses for antitrust enforcement, such as the potential lack of "hot docs," the need for greater technical expertise among regulators, and the importance of understanding the role of data and algorithms in competition analysis.

In this episode of Two Think Minimum, Caroline Cecot, an associate professor of law at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, talks about her recent article "The Meaning of ‘Silence.’" The discussion focuses on the potential consequences of narrowing the applicability of the Chevron doctrine and consequences on the major questions doctrine. She discusses the broader implications of overruling or limiting Chevron deference and the role of cost-benefit analysis in agency decision-making and the effect of the composition and views of the Supreme Court on administrative law issues.

FTC Actions on Antitrust Reforms with Ginger Jin and Liad Wagman by Technology Policy Institute

The latest episode of the TPI Two Think Minimum podcast featured guest Megan McArdle, discussing pressing issues at the intersection of technology and society. The podcast covered several topics related to technology, policy, and societal impact, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of the implications of technological advancements and regulatory actions. Key topics included the proposed U.S. legislation to ban or force a sale of TikTok over national security concerns, the biases detected in Google's AI system Gemini that favored certain political perspectives, and the broader societal adjustments that may be required as AI transforms various industries and jobs.

Growing Threats to Wireless Communications and How to Address Them by Technology Policy Institute

The journey to implementing spectrum auctions was not without its challenges. Evan Kwerel shed light on the initial resistance, particularly from the broadcasting industry and legislators. Concerns about market concentration and the potential costs of spectrum use were at the forefront of the debate. Despite these hurdles, the need for government revenue and the inefficiency of the existing system for cellular licenses were catalysts for change. Paul Milgrom provided a fascinating comparison between the United States and other countries. He noted the fragmented nature of the industry abroad and the various tactics used to suppress auction prices. In contrast, the U.S. wireless companies were less resistant, which played a part in the smoother implementation of spectrum auctions stateside.

The Perverse Effects of the Robinson-Patman Act https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/antibull31&div=37&id=&page=

Joe Nocera discusses the Covid Policy Big Fail by Technology Policy Institute

On the most recent episode of TPI's podcast "Two Think Minimum," Dr. Meicen Sun, assistant professor in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign joined TPI's Scott Wallsten to discuss her research on the effects of a country's decision to control international internet traffic. She finds that China's Great Firewall has helped increase profits of Chinese firms, but at the cost of reducing research quality as scientific collaboration and connections wither. This result presents a dilemma for autocrats if they try to balance short-term and long-term effects.

Freedom of Speech in the Digital Age with Professor Jeff Kosseff by Technology Policy Institute

On the latest episode of TPI's podcast "Two Think Minimum," Xiaomeng Lu, a director at Eurasia Group, discussed the evolving dynamics of US-China relations related to technology policy with TPI's Scott Wallsten and Sarah Oh Lam. The discussion included implications of the CHIPS Act, strategic competition, semiconductor manufacturing, and the broader geopolitical landscape shaped by technology. The conversation highlighted how policy shifts and strategic decisions in both countries are shaping the future of global tech dominance and addressed the tension between domestic industrial policy and the globalized nature of the semiconductor industry.

How Technology Will Change Higher Education with Michael Smith by Technology Policy Institute

In the most recent episode of TPI's "Two Think Minimum" podcast, Michael Katz, Professor Emeritus at the Haas School of Business & Department of Economics, joined Tom Lenard, Sarah Oh Lam, and Scott Wallsten to discuss the intricacies of antitrust in light of current cases. The dialogue covered exclusionary behavior, with Katz highlighting potential antitrust agency strategies like the "No Economic Sense Test," and explored market definitions. The team also discussed ongoing trials, providing insights into potential legal strategies and considerations affecting case developments and outcomes.

On the latest episode of Two Think Minimum, Technology Policy Institute Senior Fellow Sarah Oh Lam and President and Senior Fellow Scott Wallsten welcomed Eugene Volokh, a distinguished law professor at UCLA School of Law, to discuss his new law review article on LLMs and liability for AI output. This episode focuses on the legal implications of AI-generated content, particularly in the realm of libel, the current legal landscape, and the potential need for new legislation to address emerging AI technologies.

AI and Tech in Europe with European Parliament’s Peter Brown by Technology Policy Institute

On the latest episode of Two Think Minimum, TPI President and Senior Fellow Scott Wallsten and Senior Fellow Sarah Oh Lam interviewed Google’s Head of Economic Policy Research, Dr. Guy Ben-Ishai, about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on economic performance and policy. They delve into AI’s impacts on productivity and how the technology’s economic benefits will be distributed.

Ryan Vaughan of Needham & Company delves into the world of mergers in the media, tech, and telecom industries, drawing insights from the recent attempted merger between Standard General and Tegna.

On the latest TPI Two Think Minimum podcast, Tom Lenard and Sarah Oh Lam interview John Samples from the Oversight Board about the board's policy advisory opinion on COVID-19 misinformation. The podcast covers the challenges of content moderation on a large platform like Facebook, with millions of pieces of content needing to be dealt with daily and the need for a more variegated decision-making process involving more interest groups. They also discuss the trade-offs involved in COVID-19 policies and the importance of transparency regarding government requests. The podcast covers the need for a clear understanding of what constitutes misinformation and the dangers of too much concentration of power in content moderation.