Skip to main content

Spring Podcast Roundup – Podcasts You May Have Missed

Posted on May 23, 2019

It has been a busy year so far in our podcast studio! And if you’re not subscribed to the Watchdog report on iTunes or our RSS feed, you’re missing out. Today’s WatchBlog catches you up on some of the podcasts you may have missed this spring

Preparing for Robot Coworkers and AI: Robots have existed for decades. But these days, robots may be equipped with learning capabilities that enable them to perform a wide array of tasks. So, what effect will robots, artificial intelligence, and other technologies have on the workplace? Cindy Brown Barnes, a director in our Education Workforce and Income Security team, discusses our recent report that explored this question:

Preparing for Robot Coworkers and AI

 

Image

Photo Showing a Collaborative Robot Designed to Interact with Human Workers

 

Changes to Coins Could Save Money: Both the penny and nickel cost more to make than their face value. In our recent report, we looked at potential cost savings from making changes to currency, and found that changing the metals in coins could save money without affecting how coins look or work. Listen to Andrew Von Ah, a director in our Physical Infrastructure team, talk about this and other findings:

Changes to Coins Could Save Money

 

Image

Photo of Dollar Bills and Various Coins

 

IRS and Private Debt Collection: In FY 2017, IRS considered over $50 billion in unpaid taxes to be collectable. While IRS attempts to collect tax debts to promote tax compliance, it doesn’t have resources to pursue all debts. So, the agency began contracting with private collection agencies. Hear Jessica Lucas-Judy, a director in our Strategic Issues team, discuss the effectiveness of this new program and its potential risks to taxpayers:

IRS and Private Debt Collection

 

Image

Photo of Jessica Lucas-Judy, a Director in GAO's Strategic Issues Team

 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Security Risks: In the hands of terrorists, radioactive material could be combined with conventional explosives to make a dirty bomb. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is responsible for ensuring the security of radioactive material used throughout the country. Listen to David Trimble, a director in our Natural Resources and Environment team, discuss which additional factors we recommended NRC consider when determining security measures for radioactive material.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Security Risks

 

Image

Image Showing Potential Consequences of a Radiological Dispersal Device or Dirty Bomb