Page Type:ContentStyle Guide →Standard knowledge base article Quality:43 (Adequate)⚠️
Importance:23 (Peripheral)
Last edited:2026-01-29 (3 days ago)
Words:3.8k
Structure:📊 33📈 2🔗 5📚 19•8%Score: 15/15
LLM Summary:CSET is a $100M+ Georgetown center with 50+ staff conducting data-driven AI policy research, particularly on U.S.-China competition and export controls. The center conducts hundreds of annual government briefings and operates the Emerging Technology Observatory with 10 public tools and 8 datasets.
Issues (2):- QualityRated 43 but structure suggests 100 (underrated by 57 points)
- Links1 link could use <R> components
| Dimension | Rating | Rationale |
|---|
| Policy Influence | Very High | Hundreds of government briefings annually, regular congressional testimony, research cited in export control decisions |
| Research Rigor | High | Data-driven methodology, 80+ annual publications, peer-reviewed work in major venues |
| Data Infrastructure | Very High | Emerging Technology Observatory with 10 public tools and 8 open datasets |
| China Expertise | Very High | In-house translation team, extensive Chinese-language research analysis |
| Funding Stability | Very High | $100M+ secured through 2025, diversified funding base |
| Staff Size | Large | 50+ full-time staff as of 2022 |
| Independence | High | Nonpartisan, university-affiliated, philanthropically funded |
| Attribute | Details |
|---|
| Founded | January 2019 |
| Location | Georgetown University, Walsh School of Foreign Service, Washington D.C. |
| Structure | University research center, philanthropically funded |
| Staff Size | 50+ full-time staff (as of July 2022) |
| Total Funding | $100M+ (2019-2025) |
| Primary Funder | Coefficient Giving (initial $15M, additional $12M+) |
| Secondary Funders | William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation |
| Website | cset.georgetown.edu |
| Current Leadership | Helen Toner (Interim Executive Director, September 2025) |
| Founding Director | Jason Matheny (now White House OSTP) |
The Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) is the largest AI policy research center in the United States, housed within Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. Founded in January 2019 with a $15 million grant from Coefficient Giving (then Open Philanthropy), CSET has grown to become a dominant force in shaping U.S. technology policy, particularly regarding artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and competition with China.
CSET’s mission centers on providing decision-makers with data-driven analysis on the security implications of emerging technologies. Unlike many think tanks that rely primarily on qualitative policy analysis, CSET has invested heavily in data infrastructure and quantitative research capabilities. The organization’s Emerging Technology Observatory (ETO) hosts 10 public tools and 8 open datasets, providing unprecedented visibility into global AI research, patenting, and investment trends.
The organization’s theory of impact operates through multiple channels: direct policy engagement through congressional testimony and government briefings, open-source data tools that inform policy decisions, translation of Chinese-language documents to increase transparency about China’s AI ambitions, and rigorous research publications that shape the intellectual framework for AI policy debates. In 2024 alone, CSET researchers conducted hundreds of briefings with government officials and industry leaders, testified before Congress multiple times, and published over 80 pieces of analysis.
CSET’s work spans several interconnected research areas: the foundations of AI development (talent, data, and computing power), AI applications in national security contexts, U.S.-China technology competition, export controls and semiconductor policy, and increasingly, the security dimensions of biotechnology. This breadth of coverage, combined with deep technical expertise and strong government relationships, has made CSET an essential resource for policymakers navigating complex technology decisions.
CSET was established through a major philanthropic initiative by Coefficient Giving (then Open Philanthropy), which recommended a $15 million grant over five years to Georgetown University specifically to create a new think tank at the intersection of national security and emerging technologies. The founding was motivated by a perceived gap in rigorous, technically-informed policy analysis on AI security issues.
| Milestone | Date | Details |
|---|
| Coefficient Giving grant approved | January 2019 | $15M over 5 years |
| CSET launched | January 2019 | Jason Matheny as founding director |
| CyberAI Project launched | January 2020 | Focus on AI/ML and cybersecurity |
| ETO launched | 2022 | Public data platform |
| Additional $12M secured | 2023 | Total funding exceeds $100M through 2025 |
| Hewlett Foundation grant | 2023 | $1M for cyber and AI research |
| Helen Toner named Interim ED | September 2025 | Dewey Murdick departs |
Jason Gaverick Matheny served as CSET’s founding director from 2019 until he joined the Biden administration. His background uniquely positioned him to bridge intelligence community expertise with academic research:
| Role | Organization | Years |
|---|
| Director | Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) | 2015-2018 |
| Assistant Director of National Intelligence | ODNI | Concurrent with IARPA |
| Research Affiliate | Future of Humanity Institute, Oxford | Prior to IARPA |
| Founder | New Harvest (cellular agriculture research) | 2004 |
| Deputy Assistant to the President | White House | 2021-2023 |
| Deputy Director for National Security | OSTP | 2021-2023 |
Matheny’s transition to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where he served as Deputy Director for National Security and Coordinator for Technology and National Security at the National Security Council, demonstrated CSET’s success in placing personnel in key government positions.
Helen Toner was named Interim Executive Director effective September 2, 2025, succeeding Dewey Murdick. Toner was named to TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in AI in 2024 and has been central to CSET’s strategy and research agenda since its founding.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|
| Education | MA in Security Studies (Georgetown), BSc in Chemical Engineering (Melbourne) |
| Previous Role | Senior Research Analyst, Coefficient Giving |
| Research Focus | U.S.-China AI competition, AI safety and governance |
| Beijing Experience | Lived in Beijing studying Chinese AI ecosystem as Oxford GovAI affiliate |
| Publications | Foreign Affairs, The Economist, TIME |
| Congressional Testimony | Multiple committees including House Judiciary Subcommittee |
Toner’s appointment reflects CSET’s dual focus on U.S.-China competition and AI safety/governance issues. Her experience at Coefficient Giving and Oxford’s Centre for the Governance of AI positions her to bridge the AI safety and national security communities.
| Person | Role | Background |
|---|
| Helen Toner | Interim Executive Director | Coefficient Giving, Oxford GovAI, TIME 100 AI |
| Dewey Murdick | Former Executive Director | Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, DHS Deputy Chief Scientist, IARPA |
| John Bansemer | Director, CyberAI Project | USAF Lt. General (Ret.), ODNI Partner Engagement |
| Anna Puglisi | Director, Biotechnology Programs | National Counterintelligence Center (former) |
| Catherine Aiken | Director of Data Science and Research | Data science and quantitative analysis |
| Lynne Weil | Director of External Affairs | Communications and government relations |
CSET’s research is organized around several interconnected themes, with particular depth in areas where data analysis can inform policy decisions.
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China analysis is central to CSET’s mission, reflecting the organization’s origins in concerns about AI-enabled competition between great powers.
| Research Stream | Key Focus | Notable Outputs |
|---|
| Translation Program | Chinese-language AI policy documents | Generative AI safety standards, industrial policies, white papers |
| Workforce Analysis | China’s AI talent pipeline | ”Assessing China’s AI Workforce” (cited by Nature) |
| Cognitive AI Research | China’s AGI ambitions | Assessment of Chinese scientific literature on AGI |
| Embodied AI | Robotics and physical AI systems | Analysis of China’s approach to physical AI agents |
| Export Control Impact | Effect of U.S. controls on Chinese AI | Huawei chip analysis (among top 4 most-read 2024 papers) |
CSET maintains an in-house translation team that provides English versions of Chinese government policies, research papers, and technical standards. These Translation Snapshots have become essential resources for policymakers seeking to understand China’s AI strategy without relying on machine translation.
CSET has produced foundational research on AI workforce dynamics, particularly regarding the competition for talent between the U.S. and China.
| Publication | Key Finding | Policy Impact |
|---|
| Assessing China’s AI Workforce | China’s AI talent pool larger than English sources suggest | Cited by Nature reporting on DeepSeek |
| AI Chip Workforce Analysis | Urgent U.S. need for semiconductor workers | Informed CHIPS Act workforce provisions |
| PATHWISE Tool | Maps AI talent across U.S. regions | Used for regional workforce planning |
| Education Executive Orders Analysis | Tracked Biden AI workforce EO implementation | Accountability framework for policy |
Launched in January 2020 under the direction of retired Lt. General John Bansemer, the CyberAI Project examines the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
| Research Area | Description |
|---|
| ML Vulnerabilities | Technical analysis of machine learning security weaknesses |
| Cyber Operations | AI/ML potential uses in offensive and defensive cyber |
| Disinformation | How AI may amplify future influence campaigns |
| Geostrategic Competition | U.S.-China dynamics in cyber and AI |
The Hewlett Foundation awarded CSET an additional $1 million specifically to continue cyber and AI research, reflecting the strategic importance of this program.
CSET researchers analyze how AI is being integrated into military systems and operations.
| Focus Area | Key Work |
|---|
| Project Maven | Analysis of how DOD operationalized AI |
| 18th Airborne Corps | Case study of AI implementation |
| China’s Military AI | Translation and analysis of PLA AI doctrine |
| Defense Procurement | Analysis of 2,857 AI-related defense contracts (2023-2024) |
CSET’s research on China’s perspectives on AI warfare was among the four most widely read pieces in 2024, indicating strong demand for understanding adversary approaches to military AI.
CSET has become a leading voice on semiconductor policy and export controls, areas of increasing policy importance.
| Publication/Analysis | Impact |
|---|
| ”No Permits, No Fabs” | Cited by Wall Street Journal |
| ”AI Chips: What They Are and Why They Matter” | Referenced by Business Insider |
| Export Control Analysis | Op-eds warning against relaxing chip export controls |
| Huawei Chip Development | Analysis of how China circumvents U.S. controls |
Jacob Feldgoise, Senior Data Research Analyst, specializes in AI chip supply chains and export controls, providing technical depth to CSET’s policy analysis.
The Emerging Technology Observatory represents CSET’s most significant investment in data infrastructure, launched in 2022 to provide public access to emerging technology analysis tools.
| Tool | Purpose | Key Features |
|---|
| AGORA | AI Governance and Regulatory Archive | Living collection of AI laws, regulations, standards worldwide |
| Country Activity Tracker | Global AI metrics | Research, patenting, investment by country |
| Map of Science | Research literature explorer | Trends and hotspots in S&T research |
| PATHWISE | Workforce mapping | AI talent metrics across U.S. regions |
| Scout | Chinese-language discovery | Finding Chinese writing on S&T |
| PARAT | Private-Sector AI Indicators | AI activity metrics for hundreds of companies |
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Public Tools | 10 |
| Open Datasets | 8 |
| Legislative Analysis | 147 AI-related laws (Jan 2020 - Mar 2025) |
| Company Coverage | Hundreds of firms, startups to multinationals |
CSET’s merged corpus of scholarly literature intentionally incorporates the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), a key Chinese-language source, alongside English-language sources like Web of Science, Dimensions, Microsoft Academic Graph, arXiv, and Papers With Code. This methodological choice enables more accurate assessment of Chinese AI research output, revealing that China’s lead in AI research is greater than English-only analyses suggest.
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| Date | Witness | Committee | Topic |
|---|
| November 2024 | Sam Bresnick | Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law | China’s Cybersecurity Threat |
| February 2025 | Hanna Dohmen | U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission | Made in China 2025 |
| May 2025 | Helen Toner | House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, IP, AI, and the Internet | Frontier AI Security and Transparency |
In 2024, CSET researchers conducted hundreds of briefings with government officials and industry leaders. This includes:
| Engagement Type | Details |
|---|
| Executive Branch | Briefings to agency leadership and staff |
| Congressional | Staff and member briefings, testimony |
| Industry | Engagement with technology companies |
| Workshops | Building the Tech Coalition conference (“best and most uniquely hard-hitting defense AI event”) |
CSET researchers regularly publish op-eds and provide expert commentary:
| Outlet | Topics |
|---|
| The Hill | Export control policy, state AI regulation preemption |
| Wall Street Journal | Cited on semiconductor policy |
| Business Insider | AI chip analysis |
| Science News | Federal AI integration risks |
| Foreign Affairs | U.S.-China competition (Helen Toner) |
| The Economist | AI policy (Helen Toner) |
| Action | Date | Details |
|---|
| BIS Comment | January 2024 | Response to proposed export control rules |
| AI Action Plan Analysis | 2025 | Assessment of federal AI integration risks |
| State Preemption Opposition | June 2025 | Op-ed cautioning against 10-year state AI regulation ban |
| Title | Topic | Significance |
|---|
| How Large Language Models Work | Technical explainer | Foundational AI education for policymakers |
| Project Maven and 18th Airborne Corps Analysis | Military AI operationalization | Case study of DOD AI implementation |
| China’s Perspectives on AI Warfare | PLA AI doctrine | Understanding adversary military AI thinking |
| Huawei AI Chip Analysis | Export control circumvention | Timely analysis of China’s response to U.S. controls |
| Series | Description |
|---|
| Translation Snapshots | Short posts highlighting related Chinese document translations |
| AI Governance at the Frontier | Governance frameworks for advanced AI |
| When AI Builds AI | AI automation of AI R&D |
| U.S. AI Statecraft | Strategic AI policy recommendations |
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Total Publications (2024) | 80+ |
| Translations | Dozens |
| Congressional Testimonies | Multiple |
| Conference Events | Building the Tech Coalition and others |
| Grant | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|
| Founding Grant | January 2019 | $15,000,000 | Launch CSET (5 years) |
| General Support | August 2021 | $18,920,000 | Core operations (3 years) |
| Additional Support | 2023 | $1,000,000 | General support |
| Total Coefficient Giving | | $100M+ | Through 2025 |
| Funder | Amount | Purpose |
|---|
| William and Flora Hewlett Foundation | $1M+ | Cyber and AI research |
| Patrick J. McGovern Foundation | Undisclosed | General support |
| Alfred P. Sloan Foundation | Undisclosed | General support |
| Public Interest Technology University Network | Undisclosed | General support |
CSET has secured funding through 2025, with the 2023 grant agreement boosting total funding to more than $100 million. The organization is self-funded through this period, providing stability for long-term research programs.
| Organization | Focus | Staff | Budget | Policy Access | Geographic Focus |
|---|
| CSET | AI national security, data analysis | 50+ | $100M+ (5yr) | Very High (US) | U.S., China |
| GovAI | AI governance theory | ≈20 | ≈$1M/yr | High (UK/EU) | UK, EU, US |
| RAND AI | Broad AI policy | ≈30 | ≈$1M+ | High (US) | Global |
| CNAS | Defense technology | ≈40 | ≈$10M | High (US) | U.S., allies |
| Brookings AI | Economic/governance | ≈10 | ≈$1M | Medium | Global |
| Dimension | CSET Advantage |
|---|
| Data Infrastructure | ETO provides unique quantitative capabilities |
| China Expertise | In-house translation, CNKI integration |
| Scale | 50+ staff, $100M+ funding |
| University Affiliation | Academic credibility, graduate student pipeline |
| Leadership Rotation | Personnel moving to senior government roles |
CSET maintains a team of 50+ researchers with diverse backgrounds spanning intelligence, military, academia, and the technology industry.
| Name | Role | Background | Focus Areas |
|---|
| Helen Toner | Interim Executive Director | Coefficient Giving, Oxford GovAI, Beijing researcher | U.S.-China competition, AI governance |
| John Bansemer | Director, CyberAI Project | USAF Lt. Gen. (Ret.), ODNI Partner Engagement | AI/ML and cybersecurity |
| Anna Puglisi | Director, Biotechnology Programs | National Counterintelligence Center | S&T intelligence, biosecurity |
| Catherine Aiken | Director of Data Science | Quantitative methods | Data infrastructure, ETO development |
| Lynne Weil | Director of External Affairs | Communications | Government relations, media |
| Name | Role | Focus Areas |
|---|
| Jacob Feldgoise | Senior Data Research Analyst | AI chip supply chains, export controls, talent |
| Sam Bresnick | Research Fellow | China technology, cybersecurity |
| Hanna Dohmen | Research Analyst | China AI workforce, Made in China 2025 |
| Julie George | Research Fellow (Applications) | Military AI, AI governance, public-private sector |
| Emelia Probasco | Senior Fellow | Military AI applications |
| Stephanie Batalis | Research Fellow | Biotechnology |
| Vikram Venkatram | Research Analyst | Biotechnology, emerging issues |
| Jessica Ji | Research Fellow | Federal AI integration, state AI regulation |
| Mina Narayanan | Research Fellow | AI regulation, state-federal policy |
CSET has placed personnel in key government positions, extending its influence beyond research:
| Person | CSET Role | Current Position |
|---|
| Jason Matheny | Founding Director | Deputy Director for National Security, OSTP |
| Various alumni | Research fellows | Agency positions across DOD, DHS, ODNI |
CSET distinguishes itself through rigorous, data-driven methodology that combines quantitative analysis with policy expertise.
| Source | Type | Purpose |
|---|
| China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) | Chinese-language scholarly literature | Comprehensive view of Chinese AI research |
| Web of Science | English-language scholarly literature | International research tracking |
| Digital Science Dimensions | Research metadata | Publication and citation analysis |
| Microsoft Academic Graph | Academic knowledge graph | Relationship mapping |
| arXiv | Preprint server | Cutting-edge AI research |
| Papers With Code | ML research with code | Applied AI tracking |
| Approach | Description | Example Application |
|---|
| Patent Analysis | Tracking technology development through IP | AI chip innovation trends |
| Publication Analysis | Bibliometric study of research output | China vs. U.S. AI publication comparison |
| Contract Analysis | Government procurement data mining | Defense AI spending patterns (2,857 contracts analyzed) |
| Translation and Synthesis | Expert translation of foreign documents | Chinese AI policy understanding |
| Expert Workshops | Convening subject matter experts | AI automation of R&D (July 2025 workshop) |
CSET emphasizes nonpartisan, evidence-based analysis:
- Data Transparency: Open datasets and documented methodology
- Peer Review: Academic-style review processes
- Government Feedback: Regular engagement with end-users in government
- Public Accessibility: ETO tools freely available
CSET’s research on AI chips and export controls has directly influenced policy debates:
| Timeline | CSET Action | Policy Outcome |
|---|
| 2022-2023 | Published AI chip analysis and supply chain research | Informed BIS export control rulemaking |
| January 2024 | Submitted comments opposing certain proposed controls | DOC considered recommendations |
| 2024 | Published Huawei chip circumvention analysis | Congressional awareness of control limitations |
| 2025 | Op-eds warning against relaxing chip controls | Public debate on control effectiveness |
CSET’s China analysis has reshaped understanding of Chinese AI capabilities:
| Finding | Significance | Citation |
|---|
| China’s AI research lead larger than English sources suggest | Corrected underestimation of Chinese output | Nature (DeepSeek coverage) |
| Chinese AGI intentions validated by scientific literature | Confirmed stated policy goals are backed by research | CSET cognitive AI report |
| PLA actively acquiring U.S. semiconductors | Evidence of export control circumvention | The Hill op-ed |
| Initiative | CSET Contribution | Impact |
|---|
| CHIPS Act workforce provisions | Research on semiconductor workforce decline | Legislative language |
| Biden AI workforce EOs | Tracking implementation and gaps | Accountability framework |
| Regional talent development | PATHWISE tool deployment | State and local planning |
- Data-Driven Methodology: ETO and quantitative research provide unique policy insights not available from traditional think tanks
- China Expertise: Translation program and Chinese-language data integration offer unparalleled visibility into Chinese AI development
- Funding Stability: $100M+ through 2025 enables long-term research investments
- Government Access: Hundreds of annual briefings, regular congressional testimony, alumni in senior positions
- University Integration: Georgetown affiliation provides academic credibility and talent pipeline
- U.S. Focus: Less engagement with non-U.S. governments compared to organizations like GovAI
- Security Emphasis: National security framing may limit engagement with AI safety community
- Funder Concentration: Heavy reliance on Coefficient Giving, though diversifying
- Political Transitions: Changes in administration affect policy relevance and access
| Question | Significance |
|---|
| Post-2025 funding sustainability | Will diversification efforts succeed? |
| Leadership transition | How will Toner’s interim appointment evolve? |
| Political environment | How will CSET navigate changing administrations? |
| ETO development | Will data tools become self-sustaining? |
| China policy evolution | Will U.S.-China focus remain central or broaden? |
- Center for Security and Emerging Technology - Wikipedia
- About Us - CSET Georgetown
- Q&A With Jason Matheny, Founding Director - Georgetown News
- Coefficient Giving Grant to Georgetown CSET
- New Grant Agreement Boosts CSET Funding to More than $100 Million
- Helen Toner Named Interim Executive Director
- Getting to Know CSET’s Interim Executive Director Helen Toner
- Dewey Murdick - CSET Profile
- CSET 2024 Annual Report
- Emerging Technology Observatory
- CyberAI Project - CSET
- Hewlett Foundation Awards CSET $1 Million
- CSET Testimony Before House Judiciary Committee
- China’s Cognitive AI Research - CSET
- Translation Snapshot: Chinese AI White Papers
- Translation Snapshot: Chinese Generative AI Safety Standards
- AGORA - AI Governance and Regulatory Archive
- CSET Publications Archive