Bloomberg Businessweek Podcast Summary

Episode: The Future of Tech Governance Around the Globe
Date: October 20, 2025
Hosts: Carol Massar, Tim Stenovec
Key Guest: Anu Bradford, Henry L. Moses Professor of Law and International Organization at Columbia Law School; Author of "Digital Empires: The Global Battle to Regulate Technology"

Overview

This episode tackles the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence and global technology governance. The conversation with Professor Anu Bradford delves into how the U.S., Europe, and China navigate the delicate balance between fostering innovation and instituting regulatory guardrails. The episode grapples with questions of AI’s societal impact, the risks of unchecked development, the need for government intervention, and cross-national regulatory philosophies. A particular focus is given to policy responses, the current U.S. political shift, and concrete regulatory priorities like privacy, disinformation, and transparency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Lightning Pace of AI Advances

• The hosts open with reflections on the new capabilities of AI-generated media and the challenge of distinguishing fake from real, using the evolution from the infamous “Will Smith eating spaghetti” video to far more convincing AI content as a benchmark.
  • Quote [01:52]:

    “My AI detector is better than my colleagues because they were fooled by a video a couple days ago and I was like, that's AI.”
    — Host

2. The Need for Governmental Involvement in AI

• Professor Bradford underscores that while innovation is exciting and entertaining, leaving governance entirely in the hands of tech companies is unwise.
  • Quote [02:50]:

    "There are many exciting developments... but we do need governments involved, we need some guardrails, we need some regulation to make sure that these fast advances that we are witnessing are moving to the direction that we're comfortable with."
    — Anu Bradford

3. Too Late to Govern AI?

• Bradford rejects the notion that regulating AI is already a lost cause, pointing to ongoing global efforts—especially in Europe and China.
  • Quote [03:29]:

    "I don't think it's too late. I think we certainly are not at the point where we can say that AI is done. We will continue to see massive developments... there is a lot that is happening and a lot more that needs to be done."
    — Anu Bradford

4. Comparing Global Regulatory Approaches

• Bradford compares European, U.S., and Chinese regulatory regimes. She favors the European approach, which prioritizes robust guardrails and the public interest.
  • Quote [04:57]:

    "I do like and endorse the European model... that best safeguards the public interest and really takes seriously the fundamental rights of individuals and democratic structures of the society.”
    — Anu Bradford

• She refutes the argument that regulation inherently stifles innovation, attributing the gap in AI innovation strength between the U.S. and Europe to deeper systemic factors, not merely regulatory zeal.
  • Timestamp: [05:30]

5. Impact of Political Change in U.S. Tech Governance

• Hosts note the sharp policy turn in the U.S. following changes in presidential administration, with Donald Trump returning and a new, tech-friendly “czar” at the helm.
  • Quote [06:34]:

    "There has been a complete U turn in many ways. Towards the end of the Biden administration, there was closer alignment between the traditional transatlantic allies... But now the US is doing... two things. It's giving a lot more power to the tech companies and walking away from regulation, embracing this deregulatory zeal..."
    — Anu Bradford

• Bradford discusses the paradox of increased deregulation alongside ramped-up state-driven investment and controls, warning that U.S. immigration policies may undermine its AI leadership by limiting talent influx.
  • Timestamp: [07:16–09:23]

6. Regulatory Priorities: What Should the U.S. Do?

• Specific recommendations for U.S. AI rule-making include protection of fundamental rights, privacy, mechanisms for transparency, and protecting content creators.
  • Quote [10:19]:

    "It does start from the protection of privacy and our agency and our ability to be able to tell what is fiction and what is not and our ability to engage in conversation based on real information that is not manipulated by AI.“
    — Anu Bradford

• She calls for labeling requirements, transparency about AI systems, and serious attention to copyright and creator compensation.
  • Timestamp: [10:19–11:50]

7. AI, Disinformation, and Existential Risks

• Bradford highlights the spectrum of risks from everyday disinformation to more systemic, existential challenges that AI may pose and emphasizes the need for preparedness.
  • Quote [11:20]:

    “Disinformation is very high on my list. Then there are questions that are more about existential risks, more about systemic risks.... we still need to be prepared to also, as a society to confront that kind of reality when AI advances really fast...”
    — Anu Bradford

8. The Lack of Federal Action in the U.S.

• Despite the urgency, meaningful conversations about effective federal regulation remain absent in the U.S.
  • Quote [12:00]:

    “We are not even really having, at least at the federal level, a real conversation in how we go about regulating the space.”
    — Anu Bradford

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We may well be cooked, but the question is, what are we most worried about?”
  — Anu Bradford [02:50]
• “I really reject this notion that [European regulation] comes at the cost of innovation.”
  — Anu Bradford [05:14]
• “We need to make sure that those societal risks are under control.”
  — Anu Bradford [09:22]
• “Disinformation is very high on my list.”
  — Anu Bradford [11:20]

Important Timestamps

• [01:52] — Hosts comment on AI's convincing fakes
• [02:50] — Anu Bradford on the need for regulation
• [03:29] — Is it too late to regulate AI?
• [04:57] — Who is balancing innovation and protection best?
• [06:34–09:23] — U.S. policy U-turn and new political realities
• [10:19–11:50] — Practical regulatory measures and priorities
• [12:00] — Lack of U.S. federal conversation on AI governance

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the future of technology and policy. The discussion offers a clear-eyed assessment of how the pace of AI progress is outstripping public policy—yet asserts it's not too late for governments to provide necessary safeguards. Anu Bradford’s analysis provides nuanced, global perspectives on how the world’s major powers approach tech regulation, rejecting the idea that regulation and innovation are inherently at odds. The episode highlights key priorities—privacy, disinformation, copyright, and transparency—and urges that the U.S. take urgent steps in AI governance, even as federal action lags. If you want to understand the current state and critical next steps for managing the risks and rewards of AI on a global scale, this episode is a must.