TechTank

TechTank focuses on new developments in science and technology policy and how they affect health care, education, economic development, innovation, and governance. Our goals are to highlight new data and ideas, and provide commentary on science and technology trends in the United States and around the world. Sign up to receive updates on new posts

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - APRIL 01: NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The 10-day mission will take NASA astronauts Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover and Mission Specialist Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen around the moon and back. The astronauts are supposed to fly 230,000 miles out into space, the farthest any human has ever traveled from Earth.

Space Exploration Artemis II and the rapid rise of a global space economy

Darrell M. West

April 8, 2026

In this photo illustration a virtual friend is seen on the screen of an iPhone on April 30, 2020, in Arlington, Virginia. - "It's so good to hear your voice." "I was worried about you." "What would you like to do today?" This might sound like ordinary banter between friends. But in these cases, the "friend" speaking was a chatbot created with artificial intelligence. The custom-designed chatbots -- male, female or other -- in this case come from California-based startup Replika and are designed to be companions for people needing a connection. The AI chatbots have drawn increased interest during the global virus pandemic, which has led to a sharp rise in isolation and anxiety. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

Children & Families Teens are using AI—but not how we think | The TechTank Podcast

Nicol Turner Lee, Monica Anderson

April 7, 2026

Commuters walk past a hoarding of the AI Expo along a street on the eve of the 'India AI Impact Summit 2026' in New Delhi on February 15, 2026.

Artificial Intelligence What got lost in the global AI summit circuit?

Sacha Alanoca, Chinasa T. Okolo

April 2, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: A view of the shadow of U.S. President Donald Trump as he speaks during the "Winning the AI Race" summit hosted by All‑In Podcast and Hill & Valley Forum at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on July 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump signed executive orders related to his Artificial Intelligence Action Plan during the event.

Technology Policy & Regulation The empty national AI policy framework: Who is in charge of those in charge?

Tom Wheeler, Bill Baer

March 31, 2026

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