Blog

April 1, 2020 | Sean Roberts

Vote by Mail is a solution not without risks

A Vote by Mail election is a solution not without risks. Various US Congressional bills over the past couple of months have  proposed permanently making Vote by Mail and other elections provisions the law of the land. While Vote by Mail could be a good solution for the social distancing issues brought on by the
Blog

March 20, 2020 | Zach Graves

So You Want to Work for Uncle Sam?

Lincoln has a new Wiki to help technology professionals find ways to get involved in government (at least for a year or two) The state and federal government requires the work of technologists more now than ever. From improving data reporting at the US Census to rebuilding the Federal Election Commission’s website to make the
Blog

March 6, 2020 | Lars Schönander

How Platforms Drive Innovation

One creates b2b software, the other disrupted the taxi industry. What Shopify and Uber share in common is the status as unicorn companies while they were private. Shopify at IPO was valued around $1 Billion Dollars, with Uber being valued around $72 billion dollars.   Shopify has had a rewarding post IPO life, with the
Blog

March 4, 2020 | Mike Wacker

In Algorithms We Trust? The Story of Google Search

The following post was written by Mike Wacker, a software developer and ex-Google engineer based in Washington State. “Right now, if you Google the word ‘idiot’ under images, a picture of Donald Trump comes up. […] How would that happen?” When Rep. Zoe Logren (D-CA) asked this question to Google CEO Sundar Pichai in December
Blog

February 27, 2020 | Zach Graves

We Need More State Capacity on Innovation

Eric Schmidt is right we need more R&D investment to beat China. But we also need more capacity to assess its efficiency and efficacy. Defense Innovation Board chairman and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has an excellent op-ed today in the New York Times (disclosure: Lincoln is a grantee of his foundation) making the case
Blog

February 25, 2020 | Zach Graves

Video: Protocols vs. Platforms

ABOUT THE EVENT The early Internet evolved around many different protocols. Email utilized Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Post Office Protocol (POP), and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP); The web was accessed using Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), with data sent over Transmission Control Protocol and the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP); and you could chat with
Blog

February 24, 2020 | Ryan Khurana

The Case Against Non-Competes

A recently introduced bill entitled the Workforce Mobility Act by a bipartisan coalition of Senators Todd Young (R-Ind) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn), and Representatives Scott Peters (CA-52), Mike Gallagher (WI-08), and Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18) offers the long overdue opportunity to limit the breadth and scope of non-compete agreements over American workers. Long has it
Blog

February 11, 2020 | Lars Schönander

Machine Learning and the Data Annotation Industry

Machine learning is rapidly becoming a major part of the products we consume and how we interact with governments, from neural networks that improved Google Translate to automated decision systems using decision trees for detecting potential SNAP fraud in New York City.   For machine learning to work, large datasets are required to be able
Blog

February 3, 2020 | Jess Miers

Copyright vs. Innovation

How expanding copyright protections for APIs could undermine the future of the web Application programming interfaces (APIs) are the building blocks of modern software development. Programmers rarely write code from scratch. Instead, programmers start with APIs to automate traditional routine processes and basic functionality. But besides providing a basic standard for software developers, APIs do
Blog

February 1, 2020 | Zach Graves

Symposium on Technology Assessment

In July of last year, Lincoln Network announced a call for papers on the future of technology assessment and science advice for Congress. The following papers from the first round of this series are available below. “Legislative Science Advice in Europe and the United Kingdom,” by Chris Tyler, University College London “The Many Meanings of
Blog

January 17, 2020 | Ryan Khurana

White House AI Principles a Boon for American Innovation

The American AI Initiative, created by the Trump Administration in February 2019, highlighted the White House’s priorities to make artificial intelligence a pivotal asset in shaping America’s future. While the initial plan was criticized for a lack of specifics, on January 7th the Office of Management and Budget released its “Guidance for Regulation of Artificial
Blog, Publications

January 16, 2020 | Will Upton

Lincoln Network at CES: Should Big Tech be Broken Up?

Lincoln Network’s Zach Graves recently appeared on a panel at CES entitled: “Should Big Tech be Broken Up?” You can check out the full panel below. Featuring: Moderator:Jamie Susskind VP Regulatory Affairs, CTA Panelists:Jennifer HuddlestonResearch Fellow, Mercatus Center Charlotte SlaimanPolicy Counsel, Public Knowledge Zach GravesHead of Policy, Lincoln Network Dr. Robert AtkinsonPresident, Information Technology and
Blog, Publications

January 10, 2020 | Zach Graves

Policy Hackers Fellowship for Tech Professionals

Apply by Feb. 28, 2020! We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Policy Hackers fellowship. This new program is designed to teach tech professionals—including technologists, investors, product managers, founders, and more—how to navigate government and public policy. The program is a 12 month, non-resident fellowship designed around the busy schedules of tech professionals, with content designed to augment
Blog

December 31, 2019 | Dan Lips

Five Examples of How Data Analytics Could Improve Government Performance

In a new op-ed in The Hill, Lincoln Network’s Garrett Johnson and R Street Institute’s Tony Mills explain why taxpayers should support strengthening the Government Accountability Office—pointing to the auditors’ estimated return-on-investment of $338 for each tax dollar spent in FY2019.  Since 2010, GAO has delivered hundreds of billions in taxpayer savings, including by identifying
Blog, Publications

December 19, 2019 | Zach Graves

Job Opening: Events and Outreach Coordinator

Lincoln Network was founded to be a bridge between policymakers and innovators, closing the gap between tech hubs like Silicon Valley and policy hubs like Washington, DC. We believe in a world of free markets and free people, and that fostering a robust but responsible innovation ecosystem is crucial to creating a better, freer, and
Blog

December 18, 2019 | Will Upton

Lincoln Network Debate: Big tech and the future of political speech online

Despite the convenience and benefits of online platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, the growing power and influence of ‘Big Tech’ have inspired a new wave of critics on both America’s Left and Right. These critics have argued online platforms promote unhealthy addiction, exacerbate polarization, waste our time and energy, and create easier pathways to
Blog, Publications, Uncategorized

November 26, 2019 | Zach Graves

Event: Enhanced S&T Capacity in Congress Exploring Key Issues and Pathways

Lincoln Network and Bipartisan Policy Center recently teamed up to host a policy forum on enhancing science and technology expertise and capacity in Congress. Watch the full event below. Featuring: Yuri BeckelmanDeputy Chief of Staff, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) Dr. Robert Cook-DeeganProfessor, School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University Adam KeiperSenior
Blog

November 25, 2019 | Zach Graves

Job Opening: Research Associate

Job Opening: Research Associate About the Organization Lincoln Network was founded to be a bridge between policymakers and innovators, closing the gap between tech hubs like Silicon Valley and policy hubs like Washington, DC. We believe in a world of free markets and free people, and that fostering a robust but responsible innovation ecosystem is
Blog

November 25, 2019 | Dan Lips

Modernizing Oversight to Improve Government Efficiency and Accountability

Government Watchdogs Can Use Data Analytics to Identify Billions in Taxpayer Savings While impeachment hearings and the 2020 election dominate the political headlines, several encouraging bipartisan efforts to reform Washington and improve governance are making progress below the radar. The result could be billions in taxpayer savings. This month, the House of Representatives extended the
Blog

November 20, 2019 | Dan Lips

Answering China’s Sharp Power

The Federal Communications Commission will soon consider a proposal to prevent U.S. companies from using Universal Service Fund dollars to purchase equipment or services from companies deemed to present a national security threat, including Huawei and ZTE Corporation.  Writing in the Wall Street Journal, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai made the case for his proposal: “Thanks
Blog

October 1, 2019 | Will Upton

Mozilla v. FCC is a win for innovation, but legislation is still needed

Today’s 2-1 ruling in Mozilla v. Federal Communications Commission from the D.C. Circuit largely reaffirms the FCC’s 2018 net neutrality framework, avoiding an innovation-crushing regulatory regime. However, as Lincoln Network co-founder Garrett Johnson argued, Congress still needs to step in to address the harmful regulatory uncertainty of the protracted fight over net neutrality:  While some
Blog

September 11, 2019 | Zach Graves

Call for guest bloggers

With the recent launch of our policy website and blog, Lincoln Network is seeking to expand its roster of guest contributors in DC, Silicon Valley, and other tech/policy hubs. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to): Silicon Valley vs. DC culture and translation problems 💿🆚🏛️ Hot takes on tech policy issues in the
Blog

August 6, 2019 | Garrett Johnson

Progress in closing the digital divide

The world has moved online. With just an internet connection, one can access a vast range of digital services, educational materials, and economic opportunities unimaginable by previous generations. Yet, many people who need these opportunities the most – such as low income people of color – have still been left behind. It’s clear that as
Blog

August 1, 2019 | Zach Graves

Call for Papers: Creating a Modern Technology Assessment Office in Congress

Over the past two years, following high-profile hearings with Mark Zuckerberg and other tech CEOs, there has been a resurgence of interest in addressing Congress’s knowledge gap on scientific and technical policy issues (a conversation which we’ve been proud to help lead). One solution that has gained momentum is restoring the Office of Technology Assessment, a science and
Blog

July 30, 2019 | Zach Graves

Job Opening: Innovation Policy Expert

Lincoln Network was founded to be a bridge between policymakers and innovators, closing the gap between tech hubs like Silicon Valley and policy hubs like Washington, DC. We see our value proposition in cross-pollination, network building, and translation between groups that don’t speak the same language. Our work includes helping innovators understand the policy world,
Blog

July 30, 2019 | Ryan Radia

Understanding advertised vs. real world broadband speeds

Access to speedy, reliable broadband matters a lot to our economy, whether we’re at work, on our smartphone, or sitting on the couch. But it’s not always easy to measure how well we’re doing as a nation in terms of deploying speedy broadband. One sticking point is the gulf between speeds reported by Internet service
Blog

July 21, 2019 | Zach Graves

Lincoln’s approach to policy

Make the future happen sooner. The mission of Lincoln’s policy project is to bridge the gap between innovators, technologists, and policymakers, and leverage that position to advance policy discussions that will help create a better, freer, and more abundant future. In the face of increasing backlash against science and technology, we are optimistic about the
Blog

July 19, 2019 | Ryan Khurana

Supersonic Flight and American Technological Leadership

On June 28th, 2019, after 46 years of regulatory dormancy, action was once again taken to make supersonic flight a reality in the United States. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a notice of proposed rulemaking that would allow for special flight reauthorizations for the testing and development supersonic aircraft. This came after bipartisan legislation
Blog

June 6, 2019 | Zach Graves

Podcast roundup on OTA

I appeared on several podcasts over the past few months to discuss improving S&T expertise in government, reviving the Office of Technology Assessment, and related issues. Check them out here: Cato Institute’s Building Tomorrow Podcast Federal News Radio’s Federal Drive with Tom Temin Techdirt Podcast Harvard University Ash Center’s AshCast
Blog

May 31, 2019 | Ryan Radia

The future of free speech online

I joined my Lincoln colleague Zach Graves to discuss digital free speech and social media bias on the Cato Institute’s Building Tomorrow podcast, with hosts Paul Matzko and Will Duffield. Check out the full episode here.
Blog

May 23, 2019 | Zach Graves

A curious letter from Newt Gingrich on OTA

Looking through former Rep. Rush Holt’s (D-NJ) archives, I found this curious letter from Newt Gingrich to Rep. Amo Houghton (R-NY) on the Office of Technology Assessment dated January 10, 2006. In it he writes: “I agree with your thoughts about the essential nature of the OTA, and I am very interested in finding new
Blog
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