Discourse,
‍with Direction.

The attention economy has become a transformative feature of the modern digital economy; the use of algorithmically driven systems to curate targeted advertising and content to maximize user engagement widespread. This brief covers the impact of engagement-focused platforms on young people, describes existing and emerging policy responses, and evaluates potential reforms centered on transparency. By having policymakers implement effective policy reform as the digital environment grows, future generations could be protected from harmful and unaccountable design practices.

This brief analyzes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s addition of microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its drinking water contaminant watchlist. As emerging contaminants in drinking water gain public and media concern, examining the watchlist’s implications serve as a step towards protecting American’s wellbeing.

This brief will analyze the new development surrounding AI-generated media from the White House, a change that has criminalized the distribution and use of deepfakes. It will consider the history as well as the tried policy of the issue.