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Delve into insightful blog posts from CSET experts exploring the nexus of technology and policy. Navigate through in-depth analyses, expert op-eds, and thought-provoking discussions on inclusion and diversity within the realm of technology.

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Tracking AI Chips: What Does It Cost?

Jacob Feldgoise, Kyle Miller, and Hanna Dohmen
| September 29, 2026

In an accompanying report, we found that two methods are best for verifying the location of AI chips: ping-based location verification (PLV) and physical inspections. This piece compares these two methods through a cost-benefit analysis and shows that PLV is the more cost-effective approach. We conclude that the most effective location verification approach would likely involve a PLV system that is supplemented by small numbers of physical inspections.

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ETO Research Almanac

Zachary Arnold, Jennifer Melot, Dewey Murdick, and Brian Love
| May 19, 2023

ETO’s Research Almanac provides high-level data on key trends in emerging technology research, including overall research output, growth, and trends among countries, research institutions, and companies active in R&D. This initial version of the Almanac focuses on topics and applications in artificial intelligence.

Controlling Access to Advanced Compute via the Cloud: Options for U.S. Policymakers, Part I

Hanna Dohmen, Jacob Feldgoise, Emily S. Weinstein, and Timothy Fist
| May 15, 2023

In the first of a series of publications, CSET and CNAS outline one potential avenue for the U.S. government to cut off Chinese access to controlled chips via cloud computing, as well its pros, cons, and limitations.

What exactly are the differences between generative AI, large language models, and foundation models? This post aims to clarify what each of these three terms mean, how they overlap, and how they differ.

Studying Tech Competition through Research Output: Some CSET Best Practices

Jacob Feldgoise, Catherine Aiken, Emily S. Weinstein, and Zachary Arnold
| April 2023

As technology competition intensifies between the United States and China, governments and policy researchers are looking for metrics to assess each country’s relative strengths and weaknesses. One measure of technology innovation increasingly used by the policy community is research output. Drawing on CSET’s experiences over the last four years, this post shares our best practices for using research output to study national technological competition and inform public policy.

CSET’s 2022 Year in Review

Dewey Murdick
| March 2023

Executive Director Dewey Murdick shares a review of CSET's successes and growth in 2022.

Forecasting Potential Misuses of Language Models for Disinformation Campaigns—and How to Reduce Risk

Josh A. Goldstein, Girish Sastry, Micah Musser, Renée DiResta, Matthew Gentzel, and Katerina Sedova
| January 2023

Machine learning advances have powered the development of new and more powerful generative language models. These systems are increasingly able to write text at near human levels. In a new report, authors at CSET, OpenAI, and the Stanford Internet Observatory explore how language models could be misused for influence operations in the future, and they provide a framework for assessing potential mitigation strategies.

ETO Supply Chain Explorer

Zachary Arnold, John VerWey, Jennifer Melot, and Neha Singh
| October 16, 2022

ETO's Supply Chain Explorer is designed to quickly orient non-experts to the essential inputs, players, and relationships involved in producing advanced computer chips. Use the Explorer to learn how these chips are made, who makes them, and the tools, materials, and processes involved in the supply chain.

Country Activity Tracker

Husanjot Chahal, Jennifer Melot, Sara Abdulla, Zachary Arnold, and Ilya Rahkovsky
| August 2022

CSET’s CAT presents data related to countries' artificial intelligence ecosystems to give an overview of domestic capabilities, as well as insights on competitiveness and collaboration globally. It presents metrics on AI research, patents, and investment-related activities for AI overall and its various subfields.

CSET's Daniel Chou provides an update on previous CSET research exploring China's security forces' AI research portfolio.

Map of China’s State Key Laboratory System

Emily S. Weinstein, Daniel Chou, Channing Lee, Ryan Fedasiuk, and Anna Puglisi
| June 2022

China’s State Key Laboratory system drives the country’s innovation in science and technology. A key part of China’s aim to reduce its dependence on foreign technology, these labs conduct cutting-edge basic and applied research, attract and train domestic and foreign talent, and conduct academic exchanges with foreign counterparts. These laboratories are spread across almost all Chinese provinces except Tibet, with the majority clustered in large coastal cities.