The Decoded Podcast

4.2 (385)
Tech News
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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.

21h ago

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
3d ago

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
12/18/2025

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
12/11/2025

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
12/04/2025

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
11/20/2025

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
11/13/2025

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
11/06/2025

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

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Trailer

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

Steven Overly

Host

4.2

out of 5

385 Ratings

Some of the worst takes on the internet.

08/12/2024

Anzel360

If you are a progressive voter, you will love it. They spoon feed you the cope you need to be blissfully ignorant about tech market workings. Everyone else, time is better spent elsewhere. The only reason I stay subscribed is to find out what low quality copium is being peddled.
Probably the most authoritative and smart podcasts in the tech space.

05/19/2024

globalnole

This is a smart listen that has become a regular part of my morning routine. The host and his guests are some of the most authoritative and informed people on a variety of issues impacting the future of tech in society, like AI (though this might be covered a little too much tbh) and the role policy plays in shaping what’s to come. I’ve enjoyed listening and learning from the podcast and am better prepared to understand the interplay between tech and policy.
6/26/2033

06/27/2022

Allancl9

The election analyst you had on Today did you no favors . He belongs on Fox News. He does not recognize data that is contrary to what he wants to say and minimizes that which appears to contradict it . It is the old trick of not having an opposing voice on while you are presenting . On Politico he does not . He is smooth and not bombastic but not truthful. He lies by omission and subtle distortion . My guess he is paid for and beholding to republican . If he is not he should be. You do not look like unbiased journalists with guys like this , especially when you do not present a counter point .
Laughing women

06/15/2022

janef.

I just came here to listen to their opinions about the recession. All I came away with is 2 women laughing about the economy. They have no clue about this in any fundamental way. How could ppl pay $ for this?

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.