Decoded by POLITICO

  1. vor 17 Std.

    Potential AI lawsuits worry business leaders; leading AI super PACs go dark

    CEOs outside the tech world are racing to integrate AI into their businesses as they prepare for the dawn of a new economy. But they’ve been slower to establish guardrails — potentially exposing them to multi-million-dollar claims. Plus, after months of pouring money into the midterms, rival AI super PAC groups significantly curtailed their visible spending during a crucial stretch before the elections. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. vor 3 Tagen

    Why Silicon Valley is watching Brazil’s election, David Shor on AI bubble

    Sunday’s run-off vote in Brazil won’t just decide the fate of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Bolsonaro clan with which he has sparred for the last decade. It may also determine the future of one of Silicon Valley’s top overseas boogeymen, in Latin America’s largest market. Brazil’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal has emerged as the democratic world’s most aggressive governmental enforcer of political speech. Plus, David Shor, the head of data research at Blue Rose joins the show to talk about the firm’s latest survey on voters’ beliefs that AI is a bubble. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. vor 4 Tagen

    Peter Thiel criticizes Trump policy in exclusive recordings

    Peter Thiel does not support the Trump administration’s war in Iran, he told a private, assembled audience in Nashville on October 12. In today’s episode of Decoded, hosts Calder McHugh and Brendan Bordelon discuss exclusive recordings of Peter Thiel’s lecture series on the Antichrist, and how Thiel’s views on the Trump administration have shifted. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. vor 5 Tagen

    The vibe shift comes for Bitcoin’s bad boys

    With Trump’s own crypto interests looming over the industry and Democrats poised for a return to power, crypto’s founding rebels are confronting an uncomfortable reality: The movement that set out to upend the financial establishment is becoming part of it. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. vor 6 Tagen

    Sergey Brin’s huge spending spree to defeat the billionaire tax

    Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who once called government a “giant bonfire of partisanship” and spent years on the political sidelines, has emerged as a force in the midterms — and it could signal more to come from the centibillionaire.  This year alone, Brin spent an unprecedented $100 million — about 40 times what he put into politics in the previous two decades — to try to defeat a proposed tax on California billionaires that has become a top priority for many in Silicon Valley. Plus, Today is the last day to respond to a call for public comment from Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Michael Selig on a possible framework for futures contracts for compute — akin to how farmers use financial markets to hedge swings in crop prices For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. 19. Okt.

    The tech industry is GOP-coded

    American voters across the political spectrum now assume most tech CEOs are conservative, according to new results from The POLITICO Poll. The results, first revealed in Decoded, could complicate not only the prospects of Republicans trying to break from Donald Trump in the midterms or 2028 amid rising backlash to Big Tech and AI. Plus, AI researchers and other industry employees emerged as a powerful political bloc this year. Tech’s traditional megadonors are still the ones bankrolling the broader fight for control of Congress in the lead-up to the November midterms.For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. 16. Okt.

    Is Europe struggling with an AI identity crisis?

    As U.S. tech giants worry about the power of their advanced AI models, they are pressing governments around the world for new rules that would slow them down. But Europe, fearful of missing the next wave of innovation, doesn’t want to hear it. And at this week’s International AI Summit in Dublin, Ireland, its officials insisted no new rules are needed as they rush to catch up with America’s tech sector. Decoded discusses how the tech leaders and EU officials are finding a path forward in the age of AI. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. 15. Okt.

    Microsoft’s president warns the White House

    Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith delivered a broadside Wednesday against President Donald Trump’s push to block the path to permanent residency for highly-skilled immigrants, warning the White House that its plan could cripple the U.S. tech sector for over a generation in an exclusive interview with Decoded. Plus, Decoded can exclusively report that a bank backed by tech billionaire and prominent Trump donor Palmer Luckey has just tapped Biden alum Marcia Fudge to help the bank build out it's community banking efforts. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  9. 14. Okt.

    Are Wall Street vibes shifting on AI?

    The Big Bank earnings calls that kicked off Tuesday offer a preview for how CEOs are couching their optimism to account for the financial realities that will shape the industry’s future. Plus, a Democratic candidate for governor unveiled a new AI safety plan aiming at protecting young children from artificial intelligence For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  10. 13. Okt.

    Dems widen war on AI

    A new super PAC created by two longtime Democratic operatives is launching its “opening salvo” this week, spending $4 million across four key House races to portray Republicans as beholden to the artificial intelligence lobby, Decoded can exclusively report. Plus, an exclusive  interview with Scott Kupor, one of the Vice Chairs on the White House’s Super Intelligence Task Force, on the goals of the group. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  11. 12. Okt.

    The donation Ron Conway regrets, Anthropic's AI models go rogue (again)

    Democratic megadonor and venture capitalist Ron Conway regrets funding an influential Big Tech political group that has fought strict AI rules, according to former Obama Press Secretary Jay Carney, who leads communications for Conway’s new AI policy initiative. Plus, The White House reaction on Friday to newly-disclosed autonomous behavior from Anthropic’s AI models was immediate, forceful — and quite different from its nonchalant response to similar actions by OpenAI agents revealed late last month. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  12. 9. Okt.

    The rise of the AI anxiety index

    Silicon Valley is stressing over the uncertainty around how artificial intelligence will be regulated. Decoded spoke to SoFi CEO Anthony Noto about how he's preparing his businesses for an AI-driven economy. Plus, Vice President JD Vance announced that Microsoft would no longer be able to sponsor green cards for employees on skilled worker visas. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  13. 8. Okt.

    What’s in Peter Thiel’s new Antichrist lecture?

    Tech billionaire Peter Thiel is sharpening his warnings about the Antichrist — which he sees as someone who could harm technological development — as AI races ahead and public concern over its risks grow, according to exclusive recordings obtained by Decoded. Plus, a top trade group for the “metaverse”  shuts its doors after eight years. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  14. 7. Okt.

    Inside AI safety's hottest club

    Decoded got an inside look of The Curve, the invite-only conference last weekend that hosted of AI influence and offered a microcosm of the state of current global safety talks. We’ll also talk about potential presidential candidate Senator Ruben Gallego’s plans to regulate AI, and the new movies that star tech giants in "villain roles” For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  15. 6. Okt.

    AI industry reacts to Sam Altman's comments, AI leaders testify in New York City

    The AI accelerationists are turning on OpenAI. Their calls for faster development and lighter-touch regulation are running up against a shifting, more pro-regulation stance from the ChatGPT maker and its chief executive, ratcheting up tensions just as the public’s frustration with the technology is reaching new levels. Plus, a look at the testimony given by AI industry leaders at a New York City Council meeting yesterday. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  16. 5. Okt.

    Sam Altman on rogue AI, Anthropic, and getting money out of politics

    Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, says that he gets “ why AI has a really negative perception right now,” and doesn’t think a rebranding artificial intelligence to “super intelligence” will help. Decoded's Brendan Bordelon hears from Altman about his recent visit to the White House, how OpenAI’s approach to safety differs from his biggest competitors, and what comes next in the ongoing saga of rogue AI agents hacking into sensitive government data.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Decoded newsletter: politico.com/decoded  This episode was produced by Mansee Khurana with help from Jackson Barton and Seth Pollack.  It was edited by Emma Anderson and John Hewitt Jones. Our executive editor is Christopher Cadelego.  It contains original music from Pran Bondi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  17. 2. Okt.

    Welcome to The Decoded Podcast

    The Decoded Podcast explores the people, policy battles and market forces shaping the future of technology around the world, drawing on POLITICO’s reporting to make sense of what’s happening and what comes next. Be sure to subscribe to the Decoded newsletter here. The first episode drops October 5! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  18. 18.12.2025

    What’s behind Trump’s new Tech Force

    The Trump administration launched the U.S. Tech Force this week, aiming to recruit 1,000 fellows with backgrounds in AI, cybersecurity and other high-tech fields into federal agencies. It’s the latest attempt to solve the government’s long-standing recruitment problem. But will this time be different? On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor, a longtime tech investor, to discuss the new initiative, the impact of DOGE cuts and why the government must embrace AI. 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

  19. 11.12.2025

    Why Trump is fighting states over AI

    President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social this week that he will sign an executive order aimed at banning state AI laws. The move will almost certainly appease Silicon Valley executives and anger some of his fellow Republicans — not to mention ignite a legal battle with state governments concerned about federal overreach. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly breaks down the latest developments surrounding the closely watched and intensely debated AI moratorium with the help of POLITICO technology reporters Gabby Miller and Brendan Bordelon.  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. This episode has been updated to correct a mischaracterization of Andreessen Horowitz's policy position. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  20. 04.12.2025

    Craig Newmark sees an AI bubble. It may not be a bust.

    Craig Newmark is best known for shaping our digital past. As the founder of Craigslist, he was  a pioneer in online classified advertising and lived the Silicon Valley dot-com bubble firsthand. These days, Newmark is donating his vast wealth to fight disinformation and cyber scams. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sat down with Newmark to discuss whether he sees an AI bubble forming today, and why he’s hopeful the fast-moving technology will make us more secure online (even if it has some problems still to be worked out). 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

  21. 20.11.2025

    How AI is driving Trump’s energy agenda

    Meeting the rising energy demands of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other emerging technologies is one of the big challenges facing the Trump administration. And Dario Gil, the undersecretary for science at the Energy Department, is one of the key officials searching for solutions — including yet-unrealized power sources like fusion. For POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly spoke with Gil on stage at the Aspen Cyber Summit in Washington about the administration’s energy priorities, competition with China, and the future of federal research.  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

  22. 13.11.2025

    Rebroadcast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt on AI, Hollywood and owning your ‘digital self’

    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. This episode originally published on June 19, 2025. ⁠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

  23. 06.11.2025

    Why energy bills could be AI’s new political problem

    Democrats logged big election wins this week in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City. And in some races, artificial intelligence — and specifically the energy data centers will consume — was a key issue for voters. As the tech industry spends billions of dollars to build out AI infrastructure, Tuesday’s outcome suggests there could be new political roadblocks ahead. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Ian Stevenson from POLITICO's E&E News to delve into the election in Virginia and why this issue could emerge in next year’s midterms, too. Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology. Ian Stevenson is an energy and public lands reporter at POLITICO’s E&E News. 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

  24. 30.10.2025

    The business case for governing AI

    Tech companies are spending billions of dollars to build out their AI ambitions — with little clarity about how they’ll recoup their investments. Miriam Vogel, the CEO of the nonprofit EqualAI and former chair of the National AI Advisory Council, says the industry’s profitability depends in part on setting ground rules for the technology. On POLITICO Tech, Vogel joins host Steven Overly to discuss the new book she’s co-authored, entitled “Governing the Machine,” and what steps are needed to build public trust in the AI future. 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

  25. 23.10.2025

    Signal’s Meredith Whittaker on AI hype and the end of privacy

    Even if you don’t use Signal, you certainly remember Signalgate. That was the scandal in March when senior U.S. officials used a private messaging app to communicate about a military strike in Yemen — and included a journalist in the chat. It thrust Signal and Signal Foundation President Meredith Whittaker into the spotlight. But she’s made headlines before as a Google employee turned vocal tech critic. On this week’s episode of POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Whittaker to discuss the future of Big Tech, privacy risks in an AI world and how Silicon Valley is shaping politics.  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