Power & Politics

Beth Noveck, founder of InnovateUS, discusses the rollout of their Artificial Training to New York State's Government workforce. She also talks about her book "Reboot AI, the Race to Save Democracy"


00:00 – 01:12 — Introducing InnovateUS and Beth NoveckSetting the stage: Beth’s role, InnovateUS, and AI in New York State government.


01:12 – 04:45 — Why Focus on Government Workers?Government’s role in people’s lives and how AI can improve services and efficiency.


04:45 – 06:54 — Scale and Reach of InnovateUS200,000 learners, 50 states and cities, 80 countries; how free courses and workshops work.


06:54 – 09:13 — The AI Literacy GapHeadlines vs. real understanding, fears about AI, and how InnovateUS designs its training.


09:13 – 11:07 — The Art of PromptingWhy generative AI is unpredictable, how prompting works, and learning to “drive” AI well.


11:07 – 14:54 — Tailored Training for Different Public RolesCourses for lawyers, communications staff, public engagement, and evolving curricula.


14:54 – 18:29 — Risks, Responsibility, and Trust in Government AIData privacy, hallucinations, procurement pitfalls, and simple high‑impact uses (e.g., translation).


18:29 – 22:39 — AI, Power, and Democracy (Rebooting AI)Concentrated tech power, deepfakes, and overlooked democratic uses of AI (e.g., Brazil’s Congress).


22:39 – 26:26 — Who Should Regulate AI? Federal vs. State RolesFragmented regulation, the need for local control, and what “regulating AI” really means.


26:26 – End — What’s Changed (and Hasn’t) in Government and DemocracyBeth’s reflections on slow institutional change, democratic backsliding, and using AI to strengthen democracy.

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Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union joins Power & Politics to discuss their perspective and priorities for the FY2027 New York State Budget, which currently is past its April 1st deadline.


Policy in the Budget – [0:00:00]–[0:02:19]


Protest Buffer Zones Fight – [0:02:19]–[0:09:20]


Worship vs. Free Speech – [0:09:20]–[0:10:11]


Immigration, ICE, and Legal Aid – [0:10:11]–[0:17:05]


Climate Rollbacks & Gender-Affirming Care – [0:17:05]–end

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Dr. Len Cutler, professor of political science and international relations at Siena University, joined Power & Politics on Thursday, discussing the current conflict between the United States and Iran.


Setting the Stage: Iran–U.S. Crisis Overview

[0:00:01 – 0:04:10]

Introduces the conflict, brief history since 1979, and Trump’s stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.


Trump I vs. Trump II: Expanding Presidential Power

[0:04:10 – 0:08:21]

Compares Trump’s first and second terms and how constraints on presidential power have changed.


Congress, Impeachment Talk, and War Powers

[0:08:21 – 0:17:17]

Examines Congress’s limited role, impeachment chatter, and the practical impact of the War Powers Act.


The Strait of Hormuz and Global Economic Shockwaves

[0:17:17 – 0:22:19]

Explores Iran’s control of the Strait, rising costs at home, and international stakes—including China’s role.


Allies, NATO, and America’s Future Standing

[0:22:19 – 0:24:43]

Looks at NATO’s reluctance, evolving negotiations, looming deadlines, and what this may mean for U.S. global influence.

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NYS Department of Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, Senior Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Matteson and Assistant Commissioner David Frank joined Tom Eschen on Power & Politics this week.They discussed the State's funding formula, student outcomes, Back to Basics reading implementation, Tier 6, America 250 and more


Introduction & Funding vs Outcomes0:00:00 – 0:02:28


Funding Formula, Equity & High-Need Students0:02:28 – 0:10:08


Costs, Early Childhood & Universal Pre-K0:10:08 – 0:17:34


Science of Reading & Teacher Training0:17:34 – 0:29:02


Cell Phones, Classroom Tech & AI0:29:02 – 0:39:23


America 250 & Teaching Inclusive History0:39:23 – 0:49:01

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Drew Warshaw is part of a group looking to challenge New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in the Democratic primary in June.

On the heels of a campaign stop at the State Capital proposing a $20 billion affordable housing fund, Warshaw joined Power & Politics.

He and Tom Eschen discussed:


Introduction & Campaign Overview – 00:00–00:30


$20 Billion Affordable Housing Fund – 00:30–01:32


Pension Fund Performance & Wall Street Fees – 01:32–04:06


Firing Wall Street Managers & Index Fund Plan – 04:06–06:36


Politics, Fiduciary Duty & Risky Investments – 06:36–09:21


Tier Six Pensions & Pension Reform – 09:21–11:11


Auditing Priorities: Health Care, ICE & Insurance – 11:11–13:12


Building Codes, Construction Costs & Affordability – 13:12–15:05


Utilities, PSC & Rising Energy Bills – 15:05–17:04


Climate Law, Fossil Fuels & Divestment – 17:04–18:54


Eliot Spitzer’s Support & Campaign Backing – 18:54–19:52


Statewide Campaign Strategy & Voter Outreach – 19:52–21:15


What Sets Drew Apart & Closing Message – 21:15–22:18

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