POLITICO Tech

The POLITICO Tech podcast is your daily download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy. From AI and the metaverse to disinformation and microchips, we explore how today’s technology is shaping our world — and driving the policy decisions, global rivalries and industries that will matter tomorrow.

Tech News
Politics
Daily News
651
A small town in Alabama vs. the richest man on ...
Workers at an Amazon warehouse in the town of Bessemer have submitted their votes in an election that could shape the fate of Amazon — and the future of the labor movement in the U.S. POLITICO’s Rebecca Rainey gives an on-the-ground look at the facility and its employees during the final days of the union drive. Plus, Biden urges states to pause reopening. And another woman accuses New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment.
13 min
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The fight for Black farmers comes to Washington
In 1920, Black farmers owned 14 percent of all farms in the U.S. Today, they own just 1.6 percent. POLITICO’s Ximena Bustillo breaks down the century of discrimination that led to that decline — and looks at newly invigorated efforts to undo the damage. Plus, Rep. Judy Chu says she’s concerned the Atlanta shootings suspect won’t be charged with a hate crime. And Sen. Susan Collins avoids censure from her state party.
13 min
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We waited 65 days for that?
After more than two months in office, President Biden gave his first press conference on Thursday. Spoiler: It wasn’t that exciting. POLITICO’s Emily Cadei breaks down why the most notable moments came in the questions that Biden didn’t answer — and the questions that the press didn’t ask. Plus, the FEC says members of Congress can use campaign cash to hire bodyguards. And Pelosi urges California Democrats not to run in the Gov. Newsom recall.cash to hire bodyguards. And Pelosi urges California Democrats not to run in the Newsom recall.
11 min
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AstraZeneca’s no good very bad week
There are PR disasters … and then there’s whatever the heck happened with AstraZeneca this week. POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle breaks down how and why the drug maker got into a public spat with U.S. health officials over the efficacy of its Covid vaccine. Plus, Biden makes Harris the point person on immigration issues. And Virginia bans the death penalty.
12 min
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Biden’s do-over on gun reforms
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, President Obama tapped then-Vice President Biden to help push through gun reforms, but they ended up going nowhere in the Senate. Now, in the aftermath of two mass shootings in less than a week, Biden’s hoping to avoid a repeat — and activists are wondering why he isn’t doing more. POLITICO’s Anita Kumar reports. Plus, Biden extends the special enrollment season for Obamacare. And the Government Accountability Office launches an investigation into Biden's freeze on border wall funding. Anita Kumar is a White House correspondent and associate editor for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
11 min
656
48 hours of grief in Atlanta
In the aftermath of last week’s mass shooting in Georgia that killed eight people — six of them women of Asian descent — activists, political leaders and the Asian American community are grieving and calling for justice. POLITICO’s Maya King and Catherine Kim report from a rally and a prayer service held in Atlanta over the weekend. Plus, Biden taps a prominent tech industry critic to join the FTC. And the U.S. and some allies announce sanctions on China. Catherine Kim is a reporter for POLITICO. Maya King covers race and politics for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
14 min
657
An icy showdown in Alaska
U.S. and Chinese officials met in Alaska for their first in-person talks under the Biden administration last week and things ... got pretty testy. POLITICO’s Stuart Lau gives the play-by-play for a meeting he says “was as frosty as the weather suggests.” Plus, lawmakers condemn violence against Asians and Asian Americans. And Republican Julia Letlow wins a special election to replace her late husband in Congress. Stuart Lau is POLITICO Europe's China correspondent. Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
13 min
658
The reality at the border
13 min
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The Great European Vaccine Panic
More than half of the countries in the EU have paused AstraZeneca vaccinations amid panic that the shot could cause blood clots — despite lack of evidence. POLITICO Europe’s Sarah Wheaton breaks down the three reasons why Europe freaked out. Plus, the White House defends a controversial measure in the Democratic Covid package. And the IRS pushes back Tax Day.
13 min
660
The California recall just got real
11 min
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‘A swing and a miss’: How the U.S. let Google d...
12 min
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‘Just targeted randomly and killed’
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An 'atmosphere of awkwardness': Biden's Ukraine...
12 min
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The case for and against vaccine passports
13 min
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She holds the fate of New York politics in her ...
13 min
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Buying a house? Good luck.
13 min
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The longest vote in Senate history
13 min
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Three hours and 19 minutes: What went wrong on ...
13 min
669
Hello … it’s me. Normal-ish life.
11 min
670
Infrastructure: The Great White Whale
12 min
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The trial of George Floyd's killer
12 min
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'Make your voice heard': Biden breaks his silen...
10 min
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Biden’s lose-lose-lose immigration situation
14 min
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Let the global vaccine brawl begin
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Why Neera Tanden’s nomination fell apart
12 min