SideBar podcast spotlights California tech policy group on AI threats

SideBar: Optimism in Action has released a new episode featuring Drew Liebert and Jonathan Mehta Stein of the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy. The conversation centers on AI disinformation, deepfakes and how policy can help protect elections and the public.

Why it matters: - AI-generated disinformation and deepfakes are becoming a real threat to daily life and to free and fair elections. - The episode highlights how policy groups are trying to shape guardrails before the technology causes broader harm. - CITED’s work reflects a growing push to pair technology expertise with civil rights, civic engagement and public policy.

What happened: - SideBar: Optimism in Action welcomed Drew Liebert and Jonathan Mehta Stein of the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy, or CITED. - The episode is part of the podcast collaboration between KAZU 90.3 and Monterey College of Law. - The release was dated Nov. 5, 2026, from Monterey, California. - The podcast is available at KAZU’s SideBar page and SideBarMedia podcasts.

The details: - CITED describes itself as intentionally cross-disciplinary, bringing together leaders from civil rights and civic engagement, law and public policy, and industry and tech. - The group says it leads a legislative portfolio each year. - CITED also says it provides public leadership and strategic communications, hosts community events, engages experts nationally and in other states, and works in coalition with civil rights, civic engagement, GOTV and power-building partners. - The release points listeners to more information about CITED. - KAZU 90.3 is the NPR affiliate for Monterey, Salinas and Santa Cruz. - SideBar: Optimism in Action is sponsored by Monterey College of Law. - The podcast is the first non-newscast, locally produced podcast featured on the KAZU website and mobile app. - Mitch Winick hosts the podcast, and David Eakin produces it. - Winick said the show features nonprofit leaders, advocates and community members working to improve humanitarian, public policy and charitable needs. - Winick said this season focuses on people pursuing positive change during challenging times. - New episodes publish on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. - Listeners can preview and hear more than 90 previous episodes on SideBarMedia.

Between the lines: - The episode positions AI policy as a community protection issue, not just a technical or legal one. - By featuring a cross-disciplinary advocacy group, the show is signaling interest in practical solutions that can survive both political and operational scrutiny. - The KAZU partnership also suggests the podcast is expanding its reach as a civic-minded local media product.

What's next: - New SideBar episodes will continue on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. - Listeners can follow the podcast through KAZU and SideBarMedia for future conversations with advocates and nonprofit leaders. - CITED is likely to keep advancing its annual legislative and communications agenda as AI policy debates continue.

The bottom line: - The episode uses a local public-media platform to frame AI regulation as an urgent democracy issue with real-world consequences.