Innovation Files: Where Tech Meets Public Policy
114 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago -Explore the intersection of technology, innovation, and public policy with the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the world’s leading think tank for science and tech policy. Innovation Files serves up expert interviews, insights, and commentary on topics ranging from the broad economics of innovation to specific policy and regulatory questions about new technologies. Expect to hear some unconventional wisdom.
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Episodes
Accelerating the Digital Transformation of Healthcare, With Pat Combes
June 15, 2020 05:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBPeople have been working on digital transformation of health care for decades, but the COVID pandemic has added urgency to the challenge. This is creating a window of opportunity to reinvent how the health care system works—for example, the United States is on track to surpass more than 1 billion virtual office visits by the end of the year, even though only about a quarter of health-care organizations offered virtual visits before the pandemic. But of course, we still need to deal with impo...
Accelerating the Digital Transformation of Healthcare, With Special Guest Pat Combes
June 15, 2020 05:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBPeople have been working on digital transformation of health care for decades, but the COVID pandemic has added urgency to the challenge. This is creating a window of opportunity to reinvent how the health care system works—for example, the United States is on track to surpass more than 1 billion virtual office visits by the end of the year, even though only about a quarter of health-care organizations offered virtual visits before the pandemic. But of course, we still need to deal with impo...
The Real History of Silicon Valley and the Lessons It Holds for Innovation Policy Today, With Margaret O’Mara
June 08, 2020 05:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBThe dominant narrative about Silicon Valley, and U.S. tech innovation generally, is that it sprang from garages of quirky, but committed entrepreneurs. Yes, but… What many don’t realize is how important federal investments were in kick-starting the growth of Silicon Valley and other tech hubs in the past. Rob and Jackie discuss this history and its potential lessons for federal policy to spur growth in other parts of the country today with Professor Margaret O’Mara, author of The Code: Silic...
The Real History of Silicon Valley and the Lessons It Holds for Innovation Policy Today, With Special Guest Margaret O’Mara
June 08, 2020 05:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBThe dominant narrative about Silicon Valley, and U.S. tech innovation generally, is that it sprang from garages of quirky, but committed entrepreneurs. Yes, but… What many don’t realize is how important federal investments were in kick-starting the growth of Silicon Valley and other tech hubs in the past. Rob and Jackie discuss this history and its potential lessons for federal policy to spur growth in other parts of the country today with Professor Margaret O’Mara, author of The Code: Silic...
What the COVID Crisis Teaches Us About Broadband Policy, With Larry Downes and Blair Levin
June 01, 2020 05:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBThe COVID-induced isolation economy has demonstrated just how important broadband networks are for work, learning, and entertainment. But it has also highlighted important gaps, such as the rural divide and the “homework divide,” that government policy can play a role in filling. Rob and Jackie discuss these issues with broadband and IT experts Larry Downes, a senior industry and innovation fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Business & Public Policy, and Blair Levin, a nonresident ...
What the COVID Crisis Teaches Us About Broadband Policy, With Special Guests Larry Downes and Blair Levin
June 01, 2020 05:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBThe COVID-induced isolation economy has demonstrated just how important broadband networks are for work, learning, and entertainment. But it has also highlighted important gaps, such as the rural divide and the “homework divide,” that government policy can play a role in filling. Rob and Jackie discuss these issues with broadband and IT experts Larry Downes, a senior industry and innovation fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Business & Public Policy, and Blair Levin, a nonresident ...
COVID and Its Impacts on Technology, the Tech Industry, and Tech Policy, With Special Guest David Moschella
May 20, 2020 09:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBThe COVID crisis has highlighted more than ever the importance of information technology and the tech companies that produce it as many of us work at home, rely on e-commerce, and enjoy streaming video and social media. What is the impact of this on the so-called “techlash” and on broader perceptions of technology companies? What gaps has the COVID crisis exposed in current IT system that need more innovation and investment? And what does all of this say about government’s role in spurring t...
COVID and Its Impacts on Technology, the Tech Industry, and Tech Policy, With David Moschella
May 20, 2020 09:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBThe COVID crisis has highlighted more than ever the importance of information technology and the tech companies that produce it as many of us work at home, rely on e-commerce, and enjoy streaming video and social media. What is the impact of this on the so-called “techlash” and on broader perceptions of technology companies? What gaps has the COVID crisis exposed in current IT system that need more innovation and investment? And what does all of this say about government’s role in spurring t...
The COVID Privacy Challenge, With Special Guest Amitai Etzioni
May 18, 2020 10:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBThe COVID crisis has shifted the data privacy debate away from its prior focus on individual rights to one more focused on collective needs and responsibilities—for example, when it comes to sharing and analyzing medial data related to the pandemic, or tracking individuals’ contacts. Rob and Jackie discuss these issues with noted scholar and public intellectual Amitai Etzioni, professor of international affairs and director of the Institute for Communitarian Policy Studies at George Washingt...
The COVID Privacy Challenge, With Amitai Etzioni
May 18, 2020 10:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBThe COVID crisis has shifted the data privacy debate away from its prior focus on individual rights to one more focused on collective needs and responsibilities—for example, when it comes to sharing and analyzing medial data related to the pandemic, or tracking individuals’ contacts. Rob and Jackie discuss these issues with noted scholar and public intellectual Amitai Etzioni, professor of international affairs and director of the Institute for Communitarian Policy Studies at George Washingt...
The Post-COVID China Challenge, With Special Guest James McGregor
May 11, 2020 15:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBThe COVID crisis has exposed new vulnerabilities in U.S. supply chains, as well generated even more distrust of the Chinese government. At the same time, China is doubling down its “Made in China, 2025” ambitions to be the global technology leader. How will these developments affect U.S. technology competitiveness? What should the next administration do vis-à-vis U.S.-China trade relations? Rob and Jackie discuss these issues with James McGregor, Chairman of APCO Worldwide’s greater China re...
The Post-COVID China Challenge, With James McGregor
May 11, 2020 15:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBThe COVID crisis has exposed new vulnerabilities in U.S. supply chains, as well generated even more distrust of the Chinese government. At the same time, China is doubling down its “Made in China, 2025” ambitions to be the global technology leader. How will these developments affect U.S. technology competitiveness? What should the next administration do vis-à-vis U.S.-China trade relations? Rob and Jackie discuss these issues with James McGregor, Chairman of APCO Worldwide’s greater China re...
Global Supply Chains Under Pressure, With Willy Shih
May 05, 2020 19:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBGlobal supply chains have been under intense pressure during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly when it comes to medical supplies and drugs. What should the U.S. policy response be? Rob and Jackie discuss the issue with Willy Shih, a renowned professor of management practice at Harvard Business School. Mentioned in this episode: Willy C. Shih, “Bringing Manufacturing Back to the U.S. Is Easier Said Than Done” Harvard Business Review, April 15, 2020. Joshua Murray and Michael Schwart...
Global Supply Chains Under Pressure, With Special Guest Willy Shih
May 05, 2020 19:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBGlobal supply chains have been under intense pressure during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly when it comes to medical supplies and drugs. What should the U.S. policy response be? Rob and Jackie discuss the issue with Willy Shih, a renowned professor of management practice at Harvard Business School. Mentioned in this episode: Willy C. Shih, “Bringing Manufacturing Back to the U.S. Is Easier Said Than Done” Harvard Business Review, April 15, 2020. Joshua Murray and Michael Schwart...