In this episode of the Future Tech & Policy (FTP) Podcast, the panel chats about the newest secret AI models from Anthropic and OpenAI that are rumored to be so powerful that they need to be kept under lock and key, Anthropic's foray into the memory of the internet with the accidental leak of the Claude Code source, and proposed AI legislation in Illinois aimed to increase safety and disclosure of AI model protocols and limit liability on AI companies in extreme, unanticipated cases if they follow established protocols.


Links to articles discussed

- Scoop: OpenAI plans new product for cybersecurity use (Axios)
https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/openai-new-model-cyber-mythos-anthopic

- Anthropic Issues Copyright Takedowns to Scrub Claude Code Leak (PC Mag)
https://www.pcmag.com/news/anthropic-issues-8000-copyright-takedowns-to-scrub-claude-code-leak

- OpenAI Backs Bill That Would Limit Liability for AI-Enabled Mass Deaths or Financial Disasters (Wired)
https://www.wired.com/story/openai-backs-bill-exempt-ai-firms-model-harm-lawsuits/


Panelists

- Elham Buxton, Associate Professor, Computer Science, University of Illinois Springfield
https://www.uis.edu/directory/elham-buxton

- Zachary McDowell, Associate Professor, Communication, University of Illinois Chicago
https://comm.uic.edu/profiles/zachary-mcdowell/

- Jeremy Riel (Host), Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology, University of Illinois Chicago & IGPA Science and Technology Working Group Co-Lead
https://education.uic.edu/profiles/riel-jeremy/

- Alvin Chin, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor, Information and Decision Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvinchin/

About The FTP Podcast

The FTP podcast brings together a panel of interdisciplinary faculty experts across the University of Illinois System to discuss trends and news from recent weeks in tech and policy while looking toward the future. Produced by the Science and Technology Working Group, Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA), University of Illinois System.

https://igpa.uillinois.edu

All opinions expressed on the FTP Podcast are those of the individual panelists and not the opinions of the University of Illinois System, The Institute of Government and Public Affairs, or the three UI universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, or Springfield.