For the first UpVote of 2018, we're joined by Nick Clegg, former deputy prime minister and leader of the Liberal Democracts. Clegg lost his seat as an MP at the last election – so now he's embarking on his next act. He's formed a new think tank, [link url="http://www.openreason.uk/"]Open Reason[/link], and is starting to intervene on issues of tech and politics. Why? Principally, he says, because he worries we're becoming too pessimistic. In characteristic fashion, he wants to avoid the pitfalls of new technology while embracing the opportunities. (Exactly how, he's still working out.) His first big post-office speech, [link url="https://inews.co.uk/news/technology/nick-clegg-ai-can-enhance-world-not-destroy/"]delivered at ad:tech London[/link], was entitled "Artificial Intelligence is an opportunity, not a threat."It was fascinating, if not especially reassuring, to hear how policy is made from of someone who’s been at the very highest levels of government. We discuss social media, his recent trip to Silicon Valley and the Chancellor's fascination with driverless cars – plus, of course, Brexit, where he has [link url="http://www.wired.co.uk/article/nick-clegg-artificial-intelligence-tech-brexit"]a stark warning for UK tech[/link].This was recorded before the announcement that Clegg would be awarded a knighthood in the New Years Honours List, so that controversy does not come up, although Clegg does explain why he wouldn't take a peerage.