Publications

CSET produces evidence-driven analysis in a variety of forms, from informative graphics and translations to expert testimony and published reports. Our key areas of inquiry are the foundations of artificial intelligence — such as talent, data and computational power — as well as how AI can be used in cybersecurity and other national security settings. We also do research on the policy tools that can be used to shape AI’s development and use, and on biotechnology.

Report

CSET’s 2024 Annual Report

Center for Security and Emerging Technology
| March 2025

In 2024, CSET continued to deliver impactful, data-driven analysis at the intersection of emerging technology and security policy. Explore our annual report to discover key research highlights, expert testimony, and new analytical tools — all aimed at shaping informed, strategic decisions around AI and emerging tech.

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Reports

China’s Embodied AI: A Path to AGI

William Hannas, Huey-Meei Chang, Valentin Weber, and Daniel Chou
| December 2025

China is embracing “embodied AI”—artificial intelligence integrated with physical agents, such as robots and drones—both for commercial reasons and as a path to artificial general intelligence (AGI). The trend reflects China’s signature approach to AI, which recognizes diverse paths to AI dominance vis-à-vis the large models favored in the United States. This report documents PRC support for AI embodiment, describes how it is understood by China’s research community, and maps out the related infrastructure.

In the second installation of our blog series analyzing 147 AI-related laws enacted by Congress between January 2020 and March 2025 from AGORA, we explore the governance strategies, risk-related concepts, and harms addressed in the legislation. In the first blog, we showed that the majority of these AI-related legislative documents were drawn from National Defense Authorization Acts and apply to national security contexts.

Data Snapshot

The NIH’s Impact on Research and Innovation

Katherine Quinn, Steph Batalis, and Rebecca Gelles
| August 7, 2025

Data Snapshots are informative descriptions and quick analyses that dig into CSET’s unique data resources. This three-part series introduces CSET’s patent clusters, which connect related patents through citations and text similarity.

Data Visualization

Exploring AI legislation in Congress with AGORA: Origin and Application Domains

Mina Narayanan and Sonali Subbu Rathinam
| July 23, 2025

In this two-part analysis, we use data from the Emerging Technology Observatory's AGORA to explore AI-related legislation that was enacted by Congress between January 2020 and March 2025. This first blog explores the origin and application domains of the AI-related legislation we reviewed. The second blog examines the governance strategies, risk-related concepts, and harms covered by this legislation.

Reports

AI System-to-Model Innovation

Jonah Schiestle and Andrew Imbrie
| July 2025

System-to-model innovation is an emerging innovation pathway in artificial intelligence that has driven progress in several prominent areas over the last decade. System-level innovations advance with the diffusion of AI and expand the base of contributors to leading-edge progress in the field. Countries that can identify and harness system-level innovations faster and more comprehensively will gain crucial economic and military advantages over competitors. This paper analyzes the benefits of system-to-model innovation and suggests a three-part framework to navigate the policy implications: protect, diffuse, and anticipate.

Reports

Opportunities in Open Science, Metascience, and Artificial Intelligence

Catherine Aiken, Greg Tananbaum, James Dunham, Ronnie Kinoshita, and Erin McKiernan
| June 2025

This new report summarizes a March 2025 workshop hosted by CSET and ORCA, with support from NSF. The workshop brought together more than 30 experts to discuss advancing open science and metascience, and brainstorm how artificial intelligence can be a tool in those efforts. Informed by workshop panels and discussions, the report outlines an agenda for near-term, high-priority next steps to benefit researchers, funders, and policymakers.

Reports

Wuhan’s AI Development

William Hannas, Huey-Meei Chang, and Daniel Chou
| May 2025

Wuhan, China’s inland metropolis, is paving the way for a nationwide rollout of “embodied” artificial intelligence meant to fast-track scientific discovery, optimize production, streamline commerce, and facilitate state supervision of social activities. Grounded in real-world data, the AI grows smarter, offering a pathway to artificial “general” intelligence that will reinforce state ideology and boost economic goals. This report documents the genesis of Wuhan’s AGI initiative and its multifaceted deployment.

Reports

Promoting AI Innovation Through Competition

Jack Corrigan
| May 2025

Maintaining long-term U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence will require policymakers to foster a diversified, contestable, and competitive market for AI systems. Today, however, incumbent technology companies maintain a distinct advantage in the production of large AI models, and they have the means and motion to use their control over key chokepoints in the AI supply chain (compute, data, foundation models, distribution channels) to stifle competition. This report explores the associated economic and national security risks, and offers recommendations for maintaining an open and competitive AI industry.

Formal Response

CSET’s Recommendations for an AI Action Plan

March 14, 2025

In response to the Office of Science and Technology Policy's request for input on an AI Action Plan, CSET provides key recommendations for advancing AI research, ensuring U.S. competitiveness, and maximizing benefits while mitigating risks. Our response highlights policies to strengthen the AI workforce, secure technology from illicit transfers, and foster an open and competitive AI ecosystem.