Policy Prompt

• Decoding Brain Data (the possibilities and pitfalls of neurotech with Jared Genser)

  Neurotechnology is a dual-use technology transforming lives — from implantable devices that use deep brain stimulation to ease tremors from Parkinson’s disease to commercial wearables that promise more effective meditation. But without the necessary legal, ethical, and regulatory safeguards, the misuse and abuse of neurotechnology and the data it collects becomes inevitable.In this episode, hosts Vass Bednar and Paul Samson speak with Jared Genser about neurotechnology, its implications for humanity, and the emerging dilemmas around neuro-rights, freedom of thought, and mental privacy. Jared is an international human rights lawyer and managing director of the law firm Perseus Strategies. He is a co-founder and general counsel to the Neurorights Foundation, and a special adviser on the Responsibility to Protect to the Organization of American States.Mentioned:Neuralink: neuralink.com/Chile: Pioneering the protection of neurorights: courier.unesco.org/en/articles/chile-pioneering-protection-neurorightsBrain-computer interface: cumming.ucalgary.ca/research/pediatric-bci/bci-program/what-bciBrain implant and AI gives a woman with paralysis her voice back (research led by Dr. Edward Chang): youtu.be/iTZ2N-HJbwA?si=u6d05795MdJ_3uO2EMOTIV and Rodrigo Hubner Mendes drive an F1 car using electroencephalography (EEG): youtu.be/NhmXaeaHkDc?si=GX5hrjnyCfS2yR3hRobotic exoskeleton helps paralyzed person kick first ball of 2014 World Cup: youtu.be/ClRqZbRxcNI?si=7Gdqjq6MRpJiM3PiPresident Obama’s Brain Initiative: obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/node/300741Meta acquires CTRL-labs for wristband technology that allows people to control devices using their brains: cnbc.com/2019/09/23/facebook-announces-acquisition-of-brain-computing-start-up-ctrl-labs.htmlEEG scanners in Apple AirPods: https://tinyurl.com/ypk72f8hAustralian device decodes thought-to-text with 40% accuracy: uts.edu.au/news/2023/12/portable-non-invasive-mind-reading-ai-turns-thoughts-text?DreamConnect guides dreams with AI (decoding dreams into images): eurekalert.org/news-releases/1096544Boston University brain scientist shows that electrostimulation can restore a 70-year-old’s working memory to that of a 20-year-old: bu.edu/articles/2019/electrostimulation-can-improve-working-memory/Kernel, a wearable device that delivers information on brain function: kernel.com/Werner Herzog’s documentary Theater of Thought: neurorightsfoundation.org/media/herzog-filmComplex Regional Pain Syndrome: pascalhealthinstitute.com/why-crps-is-called-the-suicide-disease/Further Reading:Jared Genser’s bio: perseus-strategies.com/team/jared-genser-english/Neurorights Foundation: neurorightsfoundation.org/Freedom of Thought: Reviving and Protecting a Forgotten Human Right, special report by Susie Alegre and Aaron Shull cigionline.org/publications/freedom-of-thought-reviving-and-protecting-a-forgotten-human-right/Credits:Policy Prompt is produced by Vass Bednar and Paul Samson. Our supervising producer is Tim Lewis, with technical production by Henry Daemen and Luke McKee. Show notes are prepared by Lynn Schellenberg, social media engagement by Isabel Neufeld, brand design and episode artwork by Abhilasha Dewan and Sami Chouhdary, with creative direction from Som Tsoi. Original music by Joshua Snethlage. Sound mix and mastering by François Goudreault. Be sure to follow us on social media. X: @_policypromptIG: @cigionlineListen to new episodes of Policy Prompt on all major podcast platforms. Questions, comments or suggestions? Reach out to CIGI’s Policy Prompt team at [email protected] guest’s opinions and facts are their own. Enjoy the chat!

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• Scientists and AI: Partners in Discovery (understanding AI’s role in scientific research with Rebecca Willett)

  Artificial intelligence (AI) has had a profound impact on science, from data analysis to scenario simulation and predicting protein structure — its full potential is still unknown. Today, many scientists are dedicated to better understanding AI and how to integrate it into research to accelerate the pace of scientific discoveries without compromising rigour and principle. Is there a future where AI will make new scientific discoveries on its own?   Join hosts Vass Bednar and Paul Samson as they speak with Rebecca Willett about the role machine learning and AI play in scientific research now and how she sees it impacting scientists in the future. Rebecca is a professor of statistics and computer science at the University of Chicago and faculty director of artificial intelligence at the University’s Data Science Institute. Her research focuses on machine learning and making sense of complex, large-scale datasets, as well as data science. Rebecca completed her PhD in electrical and computer engineering at Rice University and is a member of the Computer Science Study Group at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). In-Show Clips:00:15:03: NOVA scienceNOW, "What Will the Future Be Like?": FoldIt: A Protein Puzzle Game (PBS LearningMedia, 2013)00:15:17: Nature Video: Foldit: Biology for gamers (YouTube, August 4, 2010)Mentioned:Google DeepMind AlphaFold: deepmind.google/science/alphafold/Protein folding computer game Foldit: fold.it/The COVID-19 Citizen Science Study: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8407439/People-powered research platform Zooniverse: zooniverse.org/Further Reading:Rebecca Willet, professor of statistics and computer science at the University of Chicago and faculty director of artificial intelligence at the University’s Data Science Institute. Find her bio and works here: willett.psd.uchicago.edu/Credits:Policy Prompt is produced by Vass Bednar and Paul Samson. Our supervising producer is Tim Lewis, with technical production by Henry Daemen and Luke McKee. Show notes are prepared by Rebecca MacIntyre, Libza Manna and Isabel Neufeld, who also handles social media engagement, brand design and episode artwork by Abhilasha Dewan and Sami Chouhdary, with creative direction from Som Tsoi. Original music by Joshua Snethlage. Sound mix and mastering by François Goudreault. Be sure to follow us on social media. X: @_policypromptIG: @cigionline Listen to new episodes of Policy Prompt on all major podcast platforms. Questions, comments or suggestions? Reach out to CIGI’s Policy Prompt team at [email protected]

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• Space Is a Human Domain (discussing governance challenges with Esther Brimmer and Jessica West)

  Often compared to ocean shipping lanes, Earth’s orbital layers act as channels to almost 14,000 satellites moving at around 7 km/second. These orbital pathways are becoming increasingly congested as a rapidly growing number of commercial actors enter what was once a predominantly state-run domain. Can the 1967 Outer Space Treaty hold up against this space revolution? Can international structures quickly modernize and work together to ensure all players in the space race are committed to a safe and sustainable future?Join hosts Vass Bednar and Paul Samson as they speak with guests Esther Brimmer and Jessica West about a comprehensive and collaborative approach to space governance. Esther is a senior fellow at the US Council on Foreign Relations, a former US assistant secretary of state and an expert in international institutions. Jessica is a CIGI senior fellow and a senior researcher at Project Ploughshares, a Canadian peace and security research institute, where she focuses on technology, security and governance in outer space.In-Show Clips:00:29:04: Universal Studios: “New Moon. Reds Launch First Space Satellite” (Internet Archive, October 7, 1957)Mentioned:UN Outer Space Treaty: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.htmlInternational Maritime Organization Polar Code:  imo.org/en/ourwork/safety/pages/polar-code.aspx Geostationary orbit: wikipedia.org/wiki/Geostationary_orbit United Arab Emirates future space planning: space.gov.ae/en/media-center/blogs/2/3/2020/uae-shaping-future-of-earth-observation-satellites-and-space-exploration UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/copuos/current.htmlPhilippine National Statements during the 68th Session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space: philsa.gov.ph/news/philippine-national-statements-during-the-68th-session-of-the-united-nations-committee-on-the-peaceful-uses-of-outer-space-un-copuos/ Canada’s statement to the First Committee of the 79th Session of the United Nations, Thematic Debate: Outer Space: international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/peace_security-paix_securite/weapon-armes-control-documents/thematic-debat6.aspx?lang=eng Further Reading:Jessica West, CIGI senior fellow and senior researcher at Project Ploughshares. Find her CIGI bio and works here: cigionline.org/people/jessica-west/ Esther Brimmer, James H. Binger senior fellow in global governance and former assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs. Find her Council on Foreign Relations bio and works here: cfr.org/expert/esther-brimmerCredits:Policy Prompt is produced by Vass Bednar and Paul Samson. Our supervising producer is Tim Lewis, with technical production by Henry Daemen and Luke McKee. Show notes are prepared by Lynn Schellenberg, social media engagement by Isabel Neufeld, brand design and episode artwork by Abhilasha Dewan and Sami Chouhdary, with creative direction from Som Tsoi. Original music by Joshua Snethlage. Sound mix and mastering by François Goudreault. Be sure to follow us on social media. X: @_policypromptIG: @cigionline Listen to new episodes of Policy Prompt on all major podcast platforms. Questions, comments or suggestions? Reach out to CIGI’s Policy Prompt team at [email protected]

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• The Trust Battle: Stablecoins, Crypto and the Future of Money (with Ali Abou Daya and Morva Rohani)

  For centuries, the power to create money was isolated to traditional issuers, who built trust over the ages. But now stablecoins are starting to pull at that monopoly, rising up in relevance as a massive innovation on infrastructure. Some jurisdictions are turning things upside down with digital asset adoption, while others are holding back, with important geopolitical implications. On season two’s opener, hosts Vass Bednar and Paul Samson welcome Ali Abou Daya and Morva Rohani to discuss the emergence and transformative nature of crypto and stablecoins. Ali is the chief executive officer of Transactix Financial, a stablecoin company, and Morva is the executive director of the Canadian Web3 Council, an industry organization that advocates for responsible public policy. Together the four consider the digitalization of traditional finance, and the challenges surrounding establishing trust and who controls what.Mentioned:Blockchain: see CIGI’s explainer video “What Is Blockchain?” (YouTube, January 4, 2018)“In God We Trust” printed on US currency: see www.congress.gov/committee-report/112th-congress/house-report/47/1 and David Mislin, “The complex history of ‘In God We Trust’” (The Conversation, February 2, 2018)“Satoshi” refers to Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious pseudonymous author of a 2008 white paper entitled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System”; see also Joshua Davis, “The Crypto-Currency” (The New Yorker, October 3, 2011)“Bitcoin maxis”: Tonya M. Evan defines this term and others in the digital asset lexicon: “The Bitcoin, Not Crypto, Debate: Why Words Matter” (Forbes, August 21, 2024)For more on El Salvador’s experience with bitcoin, see “Bitcoin: El Salvador makes cryptocurrency legal tender” (BBC, June 9, 2021), “World’s first Bitcoin nation scales back crypto dream” (BBC, December 18, 2024) and Robyn Wilson’s “The Salvadoran beach town that became a Bitcoin testbed” (BBC, July 1, 2025)Nigeria’s central bank digital currency, the eNaira: www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal/ways-to-bank/e-naira/Tether setting up physical HQ in El Salvador: Federico Maccioni, “Crypto firm Tether and its founders finalizing move to El Salvador” (Reuters, January 13, 2025)For comparison of transaction costs by analyst Eric Yeung, see his April 20, 2025 X post: “The Final Showdown Between China and the U.S.: The Battlefield Shifts from Military Hegemony to Global Currency Warfare.” Yeung is a Hong Kong–based precious metals and investment expert who posts daily analysis on X.The GENIUS Act (in full: Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act) became public law in July 2025 to provide for the regulation of payment stablecoins in the United States: www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1582/text“MiCA and the European Union”: see Markets in Crypto-Assets RegulationDaniel Day-Lewis played Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood, a 2007 film based on Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel Oil!“The milkshake example”: a reference to Harvard Business School professor “Clay Christensen’s milkshake marketing,” which considers why we “hire” a productFurther Reading: Ali Abou Daya’s bio: www.linkedin.com/in/aliaboudaya/About Transactix Financial: www.transactix.ca/aboutMorva Rohani’s bio: www.linkedin.com/in/morvarohani/About the Canadian Web3 Council: https://web3canada.ca/about/For more analysis on the evolving role of digital assets, including central bank digital currencies, cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and tokenized assets, within the broader context of the global financial system, see CIGI’s project Digital Assets in a Deglobalized WorldCredits:Policy Prompt is produced by Vass Bednar and Paul Samson. Our supervising producer is Tim Lewis, with technical production by Henry Daemen and Luke McKee. Show notes are prepared by Lynn Schellenberg, social media engagement by Isabel Neufeld, brand design and episode artwork by Abhilasha Dewan and Sami Chouhdary, with creative direction from Som Tsoi. Original music by Joshua Snethlage. Sound mix and mastering by François Goudreault. Be sure to follow us on social media. X: @_policypromptIG: @cigionlineListen to new episodes of Policy Prompt on all major podcast platforms. Questions, comments or suggestions? Reach out to CIGI’s Policy Prompt team at [email protected].  

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• From Shipping Things to Spreading Ideas (unboxing global trade with Marc Levinson)

  In episode 16, hosts Vass and Paul talk to Marc Levinson — economist, historian and author of The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger, published in 2016, and the follow-up, Outside the Box: How Globalization Changed from Moving Stuff to Spreading Ideas (both Princeton University Press). Marc brings to life a topic freighted with importance but often out of mind: how an innovation involving the shipping container, 200 years in the making, transformed economic geography and the transport of cargo around the globe. The three discuss, as well, the current challenges in figuring out the value of international trade that is unpackaged and, so far, not well accounted for — exchange in services, ideas and intangibles, of increasing significance in the global economy.Mentioned:The giant container ship Ever Given: “In pictures: Container ship blocking the Suez Canal finally on the move” (BBC, March 29, 2021)“Gambler” Malcolm McLean, featured in the PBS series They Made America: www.pbs.org/wgbh/theymadeamerica/whomade/mclean_hi.htmlThe BBC’s “The Box” project: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/business/2008/the_box/default.stmFurther Reading: Marc Levinson’s bio: www.marclevinson.net/?page_id=10Marc Levinson’s website: www.marclevinson.net/Marc Levinson, The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger, 2nd edition (Princeton University Press, 2016)Marc Levinson, Outside the Box: How Globalization Changed from Moving Stuff to Spreading Ideas (Princeton University Press, 2020)Credits:Policy Prompt is produced by Vass Bednar and Paul Samson. Our technical producers are Tim Lewis and Melanie DeBonte. Fact-checking and background research provided by Reanne Cayenne. Marketing by Kahlan Thomson. Brand design by Abhilasha Dewan and creative direction by Som Tsoi.Original music by Joshua Snethlage.Sound mix and mastering by François Goudreault.Special thanks to creative consultant Ken Ogasawara.Be sure to follow us on social media.X: @_policypromptIG: @_policyprompt Listen to new episodes of Policy Prompt biweekly on major podcast platforms. Questions, comments or suggestions? Reach out to CIGI’s Policy Prompt team at [email protected].

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