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.

Annual Report

CSET at Five

Center for Security and Emerging Technology
| March 2024

In honor of CSET’s fifth birthday, this annual report is a look at CSET’s successes in 2023 and over the course of the past five years. It explores CSET’s different lines of research and cross-cutting projects, and spotlights some of its most impactful research products.

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A Plea: The Case for Digital Environmentalism

Andrew Burt Daniel E. Geer, Jr.
| November 2022

Digital technology, the defining innovation of the last half century, has deep and unaddressed insecurities at its core. This paper, authored by two prominent technologists and strategic thinkers, argues that a new form of “digital environmentalism”—marked by a re-evaluation of our relationship to technology, growth, and innovation—is the only way to fix such insecurities, and to bring meaningful change to the digital world.

Data Snapshot

Global GitHub: Mapping the Utilization of Open Source Software by Organizations

Christian Schoeberl
| November 9, 2022

Data Snapshots are informative descriptions and quick analyses that dig into CSET’s unique data resources. This new series of Snapshots explores CSET’s GitHub repository dataset, a curated collection of repositories that are AI-related and linked to research publications. Check in every two weeks to see our newest Snapshot exploring this unique dataset and analyzing the role of GitHub’s community in technology research and development.

Analysis

China’s AI Workforce

Diana Gehlhaus Joanne Boisson Sara Abdulla Jacob Feldgoise Luke Koslosky Dahlia Peterson
| November 2022

U.S. policies on artificial intelligence education and the AI workforce must grow, cultivate, attract, and retain the world’s best and brightest. Given China’s role as a producer of AI talent, understanding its AI workforce could provide important insight. This report provides an analysis of the AI workforce demand in China using a novel dataset of 6.8 million job postings. It then outlines potential implications along with future reports in this series.

Read our original translation of a report, published by a think tank affiliated with China’s Nankai University, that compares the strength of the AI industry in various Chinese provinces, cities, and urban agglomerations across an elaborately weighted collection of different metrics.

CSET's Ali Crawford and Jessica Ji submitted this comment to the Office of the National Cyber Director in response to a request for information on a national strategy for a cyber workforce, training, and education.

Analysis

Banned in D.C.

Jack Corrigan Sergio Fontanez Michael Kratsios
| October 2022

U.S. federal policymakers have recently gained the authority to block government agencies and private organizations from using foreign technologies that pose national security risks. But securing U.S. networks will require them to wield those powers effectively and better coordinate supply chain security efforts across all levels of government. The authors provide an overview of federal- and state-level procurement bans and recommend ways to build stronger defense against foreign technology threats.

Data Snapshot

Tech Proliferation: How GitHub Facilitates Academic Breakout

Christian Schoeberl
| October 26, 2022

Data Snapshots are informative descriptions and quick analyses that dig into CSET’s unique data resources. This new series of Snapshots explores CSET’s GitHub repository dataset, a curated collection of repositories that are AI-related and linked to research publications. Check in every two weeks to see our newest Snapshot exploring this unique dataset and analyzing the role of GitHub’s community in technology research and development.

Read our original translation of the 13th Five-Year Plan — covering the years 2016-2020 — of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China's state-run complex of laboratories and research institutions.

Data Visualization

ETO Supply Chain Explorer

Zachary Arnold John VerWey Jennifer Melot 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.

CSET's Catherine Aiken testified before the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee on measuring progress in U.S. AI research and development.