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.

Analysis

Building the Tech Coalition

Emelia Probasco
| August 2024

The U.S. Army’s 18th Airborne Corps can now target artillery just as efficiently as the best unit in recent American history—and it can do so with two thousand fewer servicemembers. This report presents a case study of how the 18th Airborne partnered with tech companies to develop, prototype, and operationalize software and artificial intelligence for clear military advantage. The lessons learned form recommendations to the U.S. Department of Defense as it pushes to further develop and adopt AI and other new technologies.

Applications


Assessment


Filter publications
Analysis

Through the Chat Window and Into the Real World: Preparing for AI Agents

Helen Toner, John Bansemer, Kyle Crichton, Matthew Burtell, Thomas Woodside, Anat Lior, Andrew Lohn, Ashwin Acharya, Beba Cibralic, Chris Painter, Cullen O’Keefe, Iason Gabriel, Kathleen Fisher, Ketan Ramakrishnan, Krystal Jackson, Noam Kolt, Rebecca Crootof, and Samrat Chatterjee
| October 2024

Computer scientists have long sought to build systems that can actively and autonomously carry out complicated goals in the real world—commonly referred to as artificial intelligence "agents." Recently, significant progress in large language models has fueled new optimism about the prospect of building sophisticated AI agents. This CSET-led workshop report synthesizes findings from a May 2024 workshop on this topic, including what constitutes an AI agent, how the technology is improving, what risks agents exacerbate, and intervention points that could help.

Analysis

Securing Critical Infrastructure in the Age of AI

Kyle Crichton, Jessica Ji, Kyle Miller, John Bansemer, Zachary Arnold, David Batz, Minwoo Choi, Marisa Decillis, Patricia Eke, Daniel M. Gerstein, Alex Leblang, Monty McGee, Greg Rattray, Luke Richards, and Alana Scott
| October 2024

As critical infrastructure operators and providers seek to harness the benefits of new artificial intelligence capabilities, they must also manage associated risks from both AI-enabled cyber threats and potential vulnerabilities in deployed AI systems. In June 2024, CSET led a workshop to assess these issues. This report synthesizes our findings, drawing on lessons from cybersecurity and insights from critical infrastructure sectors to identify challenges and potential risk mitigations associated with AI adoption.

Read our translation of a Beijing Municipal industrial policy that describes how the city government plans to integrate AI into a wide variety of industries in 2024 and 2025.

Read our translation of a document that outlines the near-term AI industrial policy of Guangdong Province, a technologically advanced region in southern China.

Analysis

Building the Tech Coalition

Emelia Probasco
| August 2024

The U.S. Army’s 18th Airborne Corps can now target artillery just as efficiently as the best unit in recent American history—and it can do so with two thousand fewer servicemembers. This report presents a case study of how the 18th Airborne partnered with tech companies to develop, prototype, and operationalize software and artificial intelligence for clear military advantage. The lessons learned form recommendations to the U.S. Department of Defense as it pushes to further develop and adopt AI and other new technologies.

Read our translation of Interim Measures of Shanghai Municipality for the Administration of Disruptive Technology Innovation Projects.

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is the most important technology to have emerged out of the semiconductor industry in recent years. This report presents a case study of its development from the 1980s to the present. Using bibliometric data, this report details the evolution of the research community responsible for its development and the many scientific breakthroughs made on EUVs over a decades-long path to commercialization. The paper concludes with lessons learned for policymakers interested in protecting and promoting the next generation of emerging technologies.

Analysis

Governing AI with Existing Authorities

Jack Corrigan, Owen Daniels, Lauren Kahn, and Danny Hague
| July 2024

A core question in policy debates around artificial intelligence is whether federal agencies can use their existing authorities to govern AI or if the government needs new legal powers to manage the technology. The authors argue that relying on existing authorities is the most effective approach to promoting the safe development and deployment of AI systems, at least in the near term. This report outlines a process for identifying existing legal authorities that could apply to AI and highlights areas where additional legislative or regulatory action may be needed.

Formal Response

Comment on Commerce Department RFI 89 FR 27411

Catherine Aiken, James Dunham, Jacob Feldgoise, Rebecca Gelles, Ronnie Kinoshita, Mina Narayanan, and Christian Schoeberl
| July 16, 2024

CSET submitted the following comment in response to a Request for Information (RFI) from the Department of Commerce regarding 89 FR 27411.

The U.S. government has an opportunity to seize strategic advantages by working with the remote sensing and data analysis industries. Both grew rapidly over the last decade alongside technology improvements, cheaper space launch, new investment-based business models, and stable regulation. From new sensors to new orbits, the intelligence community and regulators have recognized these changes and opportunities—the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and other agencies should follow suit.