Digital Freedom, AI Regulation, and the Fight for the Western Internet | The a16z Show

Katherine Boyle speaks with Sarah Rogers, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, about the intersection of AI, free speech, and global information systems. They discuss how major technological shifts, from the printing press to the internet to AI, have reshaped communication and power, and why this moment may be even more consequential. Recorded at the a16z American Dynamism Summit, the conversation explores the role of public diplomacy in the digital age, the risks of censorship and overregulation, and how governments are approaching AI as both a national security priority and a platform for global influence. Rogers also highlights the importance of maintaining “AI with a Western soul,” and why preserving open systems and freedom of expression will shape the future of innovation. Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer 00:43 - Introduction & What is Public Diplomacy? 03:23 - Internet Freedom: From the Arab Spring to the Censorship Era 05:28 - The Digital Freedom Office & Reversing Government Censorship 07:02 - EU's Attacks on Free Speech & the Thierry Breton Letter 11:35 - AI with a Western Soul & the Global Regulatory Landscape 16:42 - AI, National Security & the Rule of Law 19:00 - How Government Can Encourage Free Speech in Tech Resources: Follow Sarah B. Rogers on X: https://x.com/UnderSecPD Follow Katherine Boyle on X: https://x.com/KTmBoyle Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

Katherine Boylehost

May 4, 202622mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: May 4, 2026
Duration: 22m
Channel: a16z
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Katherine Boyle speaks with Sarah Rogers, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, about the intersection of AI, free speech, and global information systems. They discuss how major technological shifts, from the printing press to the internet to AI, have reshaped communication and power, and why this moment may be even more consequential. Recorded at the a16z American Dynamism Summit, the conversation explores the role of public diplomacy in the digital age, the risks of censorship and overregulation, and how governments are approaching AI as both a national security priority and a platform for global influence. Rogers also highlights the importance of maintaining “AI with a Western soul,” and why preserving open systems and freedom of expression will shape the future of innovation. Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer 00:43 - Introduction & What is Public Diplomacy? 03:23 - Internet Freedom: From the Arab Spring to the Censorship Era 05:28 - The Digital Freedom Office & Reversing Government Censorship 07:02 - EU's Attacks on Free Speech & the Thierry Breton Letter 11:35 - AI with a Western Soul & the Global Regulatory Landscape 16:42 - AI, National Security & the Rule of Law 19:00 - How Government Can Encourage Free Speech in Tech Resources: Follow Sarah B. Rogers on X: https://x.com/UnderSecPD Follow Katherine Boyle on X: https://x.com/KTmBoyle Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

SPEAKERS

Katherine Boyle
host
General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), focused on American Dynamism and national security–related technology.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of a16z, featuring Katherine Boyle, Digital Freedom, AI Regulation, and the Fight for the Western Internet | The a16z Show explores state Department’s push for digital freedom amid EU, AI rules Public diplomacy is framed as the U.S. government’s relationship with foreign publics, increasingly centered on the global information environment where speech and platform governance now shape geopolitics.

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