Two Think Minimum
Technology Policy Institute
Podcast of the Technology Policy Institute of Washington, D.C.
The Technology Policy Institute is a think tank that focuses on the economics of innovation, technological change, and related regulation in the United States and around the world. Our mission is to advance knowledge and inform policymakers by producing independent, rigorous research and by sponsoring educational programs and conferences on major issues affecting information technology and communications policy.
The Technology Policy Institute is a think tank that focuses on the economics of innovation, technological change, and related regulation in the United States and around the world. Our mission is to advance knowledge and inform policymakers by producing independent, rigorous research and by sponsoring educational programs and conferences on major issues affecting information technology and communications policy.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 6, 2023 • 39min
An Autocrat's Dilemma: Boosting Domestic Business Profits at the Expense of Research Quality
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.

Nov 30, 2023 • 39min
Freedom of Speech in the Digital Age with Professor Jeff Kosseff
Freedom of Speech in the Digital Age with Professor Jeff Kosseff by Technology Policy Institute

Nov 17, 2023 • 46min
Unpacking US-China Tech Policies with Xiaomeng Lu
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.

Oct 23, 2023 • 30min
How Technology Will Change Higher Education with Michael Smith
How Technology Will Change Higher Education with Michael Smith by Technology Policy Institute

Oct 11, 2023 • 53min
Recent Antitrust Developments with Michael Katz
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.

Aug 3, 2023 • 44min
Large Libel Models: Liability for AI Output with UCLA School of Law Professor Eugene Volokh
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.

Jul 27, 2023 • 39min
AI and Tech in Europe with European Parliament’s Peter Brown
AI and Tech in Europe with European Parliament’s Peter Brown by Technology Policy Institute

Jun 30, 2023 • 41min
Dr. Guy Ben-Ishai on the Economics of AI
Dr. Guy Ben-Ishai, Google’s Head of Economic Policy Research, explores the economic benefits and potential of AI, including self-improvement, cost reduction, and automation of cognitive tasks. They discuss the impact of AI on policy-making and the need for regulation to ensure economic success and workforce transition. The importance of teaching coding and preparing for technological changes is also emphasized.

Jun 15, 2023 • 44min
Ryan Vaughan on Mergers in Media, Tech, and Telecom
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.

May 23, 2023 • 39min
John Samples on How the Facebook Oversight Board Thinks About Misinformation
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.


