Sam Bresnick is a Research Fellow at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), focused on AI applications and Chinese technology policy. Previously, he was a Senior Research Analyst at Carnegie China, where he conducted research on U.S.-China relations, Chinese foreign policy, and East Asian security and economic issues. Sam’s analysis has been published in Wired, Foreign Policy, and The New Republic, among other outlets. Prior to joining Carnegie, Sam worked as a journalist in Colombo, Sri Lanka and as a teacher in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He holds an AB in Comparative Literature from Brown University and an MA in Asian Studies from Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service.
Related Content
U.S. technology companies have become important actors in modern conflicts, and several of them have meaningfully contributed to Ukraine’s defense. But many of these companies are deeply entangled with China, potentially complicating their decision-making in… Read More
In an op-ed published in Nikkei Asia, CSET Research Fellow, Sam Bresnick, explores the recent U.S.-China diplomatic developments, spotlighting the agreement between Presidents Biden and Xi to address global narcotics and discuss AI-related risks in… Read More
In his op-ed featured in Breaking Defense, CSET's Sam Bresnick from offers a deep dive into China's remarkable progress in bolstering space resilience, with a specific focus on tactically responsive space launch (TRSL). Read More
China has poured resources into improving the resilience of its space architecture. But how much progress has Beijing made? This issue brief analyzes China’s space resilience efforts and identifies areas where the United States may… Read More
Sam Bresnick and Cole McFaul shared their expert analysis in an op-ed published by Barron's. In their piece, they highlight the growing challenge U.S. AI companies face from China's DeepSeek, which is offering advanced AI models… Read More
MWI Podcast: DeepSeek and the US-China AI Race
February 2025In an MWI Podcast episode about the rapid development of China’s AI capabilities, Bill Hannas and Sam Bresnick shared their expert insights. Read More
Does China’s DeepSeek Mean U.S. AI Is Sunk?
January 2025In their op-ed in Newsweek, Jack Corrigan and Sam Bresnick discuss the recent release of DeepSeek's AI model, R1, which has surprised the global tech industry by matching the performance of leading U.S. models at… Read More
The AI Competition with China
January 2025In a recent episode of the Cato Institute's Power Problems, CSET’s Sam Bresnick discusses artificial intelligence within the framework of the US-China relationship. Read More
The Obstacles to China’s AI Power
December 2024In his Foreign Affairs op-ed, Sam Bresnick discusses China’s ambitious push to develop AI-enabled military technologies, which it views as essential to rival or surpass the U.S. military. While Beijing is investing heavily in AI… Read More
Chinese perspective on Military Uses of AI
December 2024In a China Global podcast episode about the Chinese perspectives on the military use of AI, CSET's Sam Bresnick shares his expert insights. Read More
Testimony
Testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law
November 2024Sam Bresnick testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law regarding tech companies' ties to China and their implications in a future conflict scenario. Read More
In an article published by The Japan Times that discusses the White House’s push for the Pentagon and U.S. national security agencies to accelerate the adoption of AI technology, CSET Research Fellow, Sam Bresnick, provided… Read More
On October 24, the White House issued the first-ever National Security Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence. CSET's experts answer pressing questions and what it means for U.S. national security and AI development. Read More
Analysis
Fueling China’s Innovation: The Chinese Academy of Sciences and Its Role in the PRC’s S&T Ecosystem
October 2024The Chinese Academy of Sciences is among the most important S&T organizations in the world and plays a key role in advancing Beijing’s S&T objectives. This report provides an in-depth look into the organization and… Read More
In his op-ed in Lawfare, Sam Bresnick discusses the evolving military strategies of China under Xi Jinping, highlighting the country's increasing engagement in risky military activities across while simultaneously exhibiting a reluctance to responsibly manage… Read More
In his Foreign Policy op-ed, Sam Bresnick discusses the significance of the first U.S.-China dialogue on AI military risks. Read More
In a segment in the Lawfare Daily Podcast, Sam Bresnick provides his expert analysis on the state of Chinese military AI according to PRC defense experts. Read More
How AI is changing warfare
June 2024In an article published by The Economist that discusses the adoption of advanced technology and artificial intelligence in militaries, CSET Research Fellow, Sam Bresnick, provided his expert insights. Read More
China’s leadership believes that artificial intelligence will play a central role in future wars. However, the author's comprehensive review of dozens of Chinese-language journal articles about AI and warfare reveals that Chinese defense experts claim… Read More
Can US and China overcome mutual mistrust to agree rules on military use of artificial intelligence?
June 2024In an article published by the South China Morning Post that discusses the challenges facing the United States and China in collaborating on the regulation of military artificial intelligence, CSET Research Fellow, Sam Bresnick, provided… Read More
In the China Watcher newsletter published by Politico, Sam Bresnick offered expert insights into the challenges facing U.S.-China cooperation on artificial intelligence. Read More
China and US envoys will hold the first top-level dialogue on artificial intelligence in Geneva
May 2024In an article published by The Associated Press that discusses an upcoming meeting between high-level representatives from the United States and China in Geneva to discuss artificial intelligence, Sam Bresnick provided his expert insights. Read More
In their op-ed featured in The Wire China, CSET's Ngor Luong, Sam Bresnick, and Kathleen Curlee provide their expert analysis on the changing landscape for U.S. big tech companies in China. Read More
In their op-ed featured in Breaking Defense, CSET's Sam Bresnick and Emelia Probasco provide their expert analysis on the involvement of US tech giants in conflicts, such as the Ukraine war, and raise important questions… Read More
China Bets Big on Military AI
April 2024In his op-ed published by the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), CSET’s Sam Bresnick shared his expert analysis on China's evolving military capabilities and its growing emphasis on battlefield information and the role of… Read More
Strategic Support Force: China’s mission to win future wars hinges on this shadowy military branch
March 2024CSET's Sam Bresnick discussed Chinese military capabilities with the South China Morning Post. Read More
U.S. technology companies have become important actors in modern conflicts, and several of them have meaningfully contributed to Ukraine’s defense. But many of these companies are deeply entangled with China, potentially complicating their decision-making in… Read More
In an op-ed published in Nikkei Asia, CSET Research Fellow, Sam Bresnick, explores the recent U.S.-China diplomatic developments, spotlighting the agreement between Presidents Biden and Xi to address global narcotics and discuss AI-related risks in… Read More
In his op-ed featured in Breaking Defense, CSET's Sam Bresnick from offers a deep dive into China's remarkable progress in bolstering space resilience, with a specific focus on tactically responsive space launch (TRSL). Read More
China has poured resources into improving the resilience of its space architecture. But how much progress has Beijing made? This issue brief analyzes China’s space resilience efforts and identifies areas where the United States may… Read More
Sam Bresnick and Cole McFaul shared their expert analysis in an op-ed published by Barron's. In their piece, they highlight the growing challenge U.S. AI companies face from China's DeepSeek, which is offering advanced AI models… Read More
MWI Podcast: DeepSeek and the US-China AI Race
February 2025In an MWI Podcast episode about the rapid development of China’s AI capabilities, Bill Hannas and Sam Bresnick shared their expert insights. Read More
Does China’s DeepSeek Mean U.S. AI Is Sunk?
January 2025In their op-ed in Newsweek, Jack Corrigan and Sam Bresnick discuss the recent release of DeepSeek's AI model, R1, which has surprised the global tech industry by matching the performance of leading U.S. models at… Read More
The AI Competition with China
January 2025In a recent episode of the Cato Institute's Power Problems, CSET’s Sam Bresnick discusses artificial intelligence within the framework of the US-China relationship. Read More
The Obstacles to China’s AI Power
December 2024In his Foreign Affairs op-ed, Sam Bresnick discusses China’s ambitious push to develop AI-enabled military technologies, which it views as essential to rival or surpass the U.S. military. While Beijing is investing heavily in AI… Read More
Chinese perspective on Military Uses of AI
December 2024In a China Global podcast episode about the Chinese perspectives on the military use of AI, CSET's Sam Bresnick shares his expert insights. Read More
Testimony
Testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law
November 2024Sam Bresnick testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law regarding tech companies' ties to China and their implications in a future conflict scenario. Read More
In an article published by The Japan Times that discusses the White House’s push for the Pentagon and U.S. national security agencies to accelerate the adoption of AI technology, CSET Research Fellow, Sam Bresnick, provided… Read More
On October 24, the White House issued the first-ever National Security Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence. CSET's experts answer pressing questions and what it means for U.S. national security and AI development. Read More
Analysis
Fueling China’s Innovation: The Chinese Academy of Sciences and Its Role in the PRC’s S&T Ecosystem
October 2024The Chinese Academy of Sciences is among the most important S&T organizations in the world and plays a key role in advancing Beijing’s S&T objectives. This report provides an in-depth look into the organization and… Read More
In his op-ed in Lawfare, Sam Bresnick discusses the evolving military strategies of China under Xi Jinping, highlighting the country's increasing engagement in risky military activities across while simultaneously exhibiting a reluctance to responsibly manage… Read More
In his Foreign Policy op-ed, Sam Bresnick discusses the significance of the first U.S.-China dialogue on AI military risks. Read More
In a segment in the Lawfare Daily Podcast, Sam Bresnick provides his expert analysis on the state of Chinese military AI according to PRC defense experts. Read More
How AI is changing warfare
June 2024In an article published by The Economist that discusses the adoption of advanced technology and artificial intelligence in militaries, CSET Research Fellow, Sam Bresnick, provided his expert insights. Read More
China’s leadership believes that artificial intelligence will play a central role in future wars. However, the author's comprehensive review of dozens of Chinese-language journal articles about AI and warfare reveals that Chinese defense experts claim… Read More
Can US and China overcome mutual mistrust to agree rules on military use of artificial intelligence?
June 2024In an article published by the South China Morning Post that discusses the challenges facing the United States and China in collaborating on the regulation of military artificial intelligence, CSET Research Fellow, Sam Bresnick, provided… Read More
In the China Watcher newsletter published by Politico, Sam Bresnick offered expert insights into the challenges facing U.S.-China cooperation on artificial intelligence. Read More
China and US envoys will hold the first top-level dialogue on artificial intelligence in Geneva
May 2024In an article published by The Associated Press that discusses an upcoming meeting between high-level representatives from the United States and China in Geneva to discuss artificial intelligence, Sam Bresnick provided his expert insights. Read More
In their op-ed featured in The Wire China, CSET's Ngor Luong, Sam Bresnick, and Kathleen Curlee provide their expert analysis on the changing landscape for U.S. big tech companies in China. Read More
In their op-ed featured in Breaking Defense, CSET's Sam Bresnick and Emelia Probasco provide their expert analysis on the involvement of US tech giants in conflicts, such as the Ukraine war, and raise important questions… Read More
China Bets Big on Military AI
April 2024In his op-ed published by the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), CSET’s Sam Bresnick shared his expert analysis on China's evolving military capabilities and its growing emphasis on battlefield information and the role of… Read More
Strategic Support Force: China’s mission to win future wars hinges on this shadowy military branch
March 2024CSET's Sam Bresnick discussed Chinese military capabilities with the South China Morning Post. Read More
U.S. technology companies have become important actors in modern conflicts, and several of them have meaningfully contributed to Ukraine’s defense. But many of these companies are deeply entangled with China, potentially complicating their decision-making in… Read More
In an op-ed published in Nikkei Asia, CSET Research Fellow, Sam Bresnick, explores the recent U.S.-China diplomatic developments, spotlighting the agreement between Presidents Biden and Xi to address global narcotics and discuss AI-related risks in… Read More
In his op-ed featured in Breaking Defense, CSET's Sam Bresnick from offers a deep dive into China's remarkable progress in bolstering space resilience, with a specific focus on tactically responsive space launch (TRSL). Read More
China has poured resources into improving the resilience of its space architecture. But how much progress has Beijing made? This issue brief analyzes China’s space resilience efforts and identifies areas where the United States may… Read More