Darrell M. West, Brookings

Darrell M. West

Brookings

Washington, DC, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • Brookings
  • CircleID
  • HuffPost
  • Washington Post

Past articles by Darrell:

Why academic freedom challenges are dangerous for democracy

Providing teachers and professors with the freedom to teach important ideas and encourage critical thinking among students is key to freedom, economic prosperity, and innovation. → Read More

Brookings survey finds 58% see manufacturing as vital to US economy, but only 17% are very confident in its future

A Brookings survey finds that while most Americans think manufacturing is vital to the US economy, few are optimistic about its future. → Read More

The role of corporations in addressing AI’s ethical dilemmas

Extraordinary advances are being made in AI. Are we ready for them? → Read More

Global manufacturing scorecard: How the US compares to 18 other nations

An original scorecard analyzes 19 leading nations on their manufacturing sector. → Read More

China’s social credit system spreads to more daily transactions

Jack Karsten and Darrell West write about the expanding use social credit systems in China, from travel and schools to e-commerce and dating apps. → Read More

The need for lifetime learning during an era of economic disruption

Community colleges, private businesses, and distance learning all will have greater roles to play in future workforce development. → Read More

The state of self-driving car laws across the U.S.

Despite two fatal accidents involving semi-autonomous cars occurring within days of each other in March, testing of the technology continues. On April 2, California expanded its testing rules to al… → Read More

How the Amazon-Whole Foods merger shrinks food deserts

Responses to Amazon’s recent merger with Whole Foods have both praised the corporation’s vertical integration strategy and lamented the loss of the culture of brick and mortar commerce. Yet there i… → Read More

Can augmented reality bridge the manufacturing skills gap?

Automation in manufacturing has created an employment paradox: robots and computers have automated many routine tasks in recent decades, while new jobs in sectors like manufacturing still go unfill… → Read More

Immigration ban ignores public diplomacy’s legacy of inclusion and innovation

Today, efforts from key actors in American history are undermined by recent changes in immigration policy. With women’s history month and black history month in mind, this post honors contributions… → Read More

Intentional Disruptions to Internet Access Cost Countries $2.4 Billion Last Year

Around the world, digital technology is seen as vital for economic development. In the U.S. alone, the Internet accounts for about six percent of the entire economy. Digital technology has expanded its role in the global economy in recent years, as both developed and developing nations have become increasingly reliant on the Internet. → Read More

The 2016 Brookings Financial and Digital Inclusion Project Report

The 2016 Brookings Financial and Digital Inclusion Project (FDIP) evaluates access to and usage of affordable financial services by underserved people across 26 geographically, politically, and eco… → Read More

How technology is changing manufacturing

As technology continues to permeate manufacturing, the need for companies to remain on the cutting edge increases. Darrell West discusses the impact of technology within manufacturing and cites changes necessary to create a strong, and employed, workforce. → Read More

Encryption debate proves technology is not magic

Without an explanation of how technology develops and functions, consumers and policymakers are apt to view it as magic with limitless capabilities. This ignorance can lead to poor policy decisions on encryption and elsewhere. → Read More

A brief history of U.S. encryption policy

The FBI’s recent attempt to force Apple to unlock the iPhone of Syed Farook has made encryption a topic of dinner table discussion for the first time. However, law enforcement and technologists have been struggling over encryption backdoors since the early 1990s. → Read More

The ethical dilemmas of virtual reality

Darrell West discusses the ethical issues surrounding virtual reality such as where to draw virtual lines, what kinds of situations are problematic, and how to recraft policies for the digital world. → Read More

Zero rating: a boon to consumers, or a net neutrality nightmare?

T-Mobile has expanded its "zero-rated" Binge On program, which exempts certain video content from data caps on the mobile carrier's network. The program has drawn criticism from activists that see it as undermining the principles of net neutrality. → Read More

Google Fiber, competition, and affordable broadband for all

Google Fiber rolled out its free gigabit Internet to public housing in Kansas City last month. While this is an important step in making broadband more accessible and affordable, more can be done to make similar opportunities available across the country. → Read More

Billionaires win when they run for office around the world

Political pundits have thus far underestimated the appeal Donald Trump has with voters. In the ongoing presidential primary, Trump is on track to win more and more delegates. In this post, Darrell West argues that Trump's rise is not that unexpected—billionaires around the world have been successful when they run for elected office. → Read More

Apple encryption case marks opportunity for cybersecurity coordination

The Apple IPhone encryption case has put the creators of technology at odds with law enforcement. Instead, policymakers should work with these groups to navigate a world with increased encryption. → Read More