Podcast Episode

AI and public policy: How they’re shaping each other

Trending Globally: Politics and Policy·The Watson School·3 October 2026·52 min

About this episode

Technology and policy is one of the core research areas at the Watson School. We are committed to better understanding not only how to govern emerging technologies but also how these technologies will affect international and public affairs.On this episode, Watson School Dean John Friedman spoke with two leading experts about the emerging technology that’s on everyone’s mind today: artificial intelligence.Serena Booth and Suresh Venkatasubramanian are Watson faculty fellows and members of Brown’s Department of Computer Science, with Venkatasubramanian also holding an appointment in the Data Science Institute. Both are nationally recognized voices on the intersection of AI and public policy.They spoke with Dean Friedman about the opportunities and risks posed by AI today, what to make of the growing concern over the “existential risks” these technologies pose, and what steps we should take to govern such a powerful, fast-moving technology effectively.Learn more about Brown’s Data Science InstituteLearn more about Watson and Brown’s Center for Technological Responsibility, Reimagination and Redesign’s the AI Policy Summer SchoolWatch the conversation on our YouTube channelTranscript coming soon to our website