
Innovation Files Blog
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Quick takes, quips, and commentary on the latest in tech policy.
June 3, 2026
New York’s Broadband Report is Driven by Ideology, Not Evidence
New York City’s broadband report cherry-picks outdated data to make the case for government-owned networks, but its own evidence shows competition is strong and affordability challenges require targeted support—not more infrastructure mandates.
June 1, 2026
Fact of the Week: Eliminating Cancer Deaths Would Generate $186 Trillion in Total Economic Benefits Over a 35-Year Period
If cancer deaths were to be fully eliminated by 2030, over the subsequent 35 years, 30.7 million deaths would be averted, saving 380 million years of life. These additional years of life would also yield substantial economic benefits, as each year of life generates economic value, increased productivity, and tax revenue.
May 29, 2026
The Vatican’s “AI Monopolies” Talk Risks Encouraging Bad Tech Policy
Despite Magnifica Humanitas’s discussion of AI and economic power, today’s AI market remains highly competitive, and policymakers should be cautious about using monopoly fears to justify heavy-handed regulation.
May 28, 2026
The FTC’s Weak Case Against Uber One Could Cost Consumers
The survival of the Federal Trade Commission’s specious consumer protection claims against Uber over the rideshare company’s popular subscription service perpetuates yet another flawed lawsuit against Big Tech.
May 26, 2026
Fact of the Week: ASEAN Becomes the Middleman in US-China Tech Trade
Only 1 percent of tech goods under HS code 84 coming from ASEAN faced tariffs compared to about 90 percent for those from China.
May 25, 2026
AI Is Not Another Tower of Babel
In focusing so heavily on the dangers of AI, Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas understates the degree to which these technologies can expand human capability, improve quality of life, and promote human flourishing, while largely overlooking the need for policies to support widespread AI adoption and diffusion.
May 18, 2026
Fact of the Week: FDI to the Western Balkans Reached 6.4 Percent of GDP Between 2020 and 2023, Quadruple the EU Average
The Western Balkan have excelled in attracting foreign direct investment, with average inflows as a share of gross domestic product equaling 6.4 percent between 2020 and 2023. In contrast, the average rate for the EU was 1.5 percent and about 0.9 percent in the United States.
May 15, 2026
State Privacy Laws Show the SECURE Data Act’s Merits and Political Appeal
Critics say the SECURE Data Act is a unified Republican effort. Yet its core provisions mirror privacy protections passed by Democratic and Republican majorities in 21 states. So, while it would preempt state laws, it also draws heavily from those laws, reflecting a bipartisan, multistate consensus on how to protect consumers while enabling innovation.
May 14, 2026
AI Is Not Going to Reduce Labor’s Share of Income or Destroy the Tax Base
As AI capabilities continue to advance, some people have begun raising concerns about the long-term implications for the tax base. But this concern is likely overstated. Policymakers should refrain from changing the tax base on the assumption that labor income will decline.
May 11, 2026
Philadelphia Should Not Single Out Rideshare Services for New Taxes
Philadelphia’s proposed $1 rideshare tax attempts to address school funding shortfalls. The city should reject narrowly targeted taxes on app-based services and instead pursue broader, more neutral revenue mechanisms such as property or income taxes.
