Technology and Security Policy Center

The Technology and Security Policy Center (TASP) researches how high-consequence, dual-use technologies like artificial intelligence and biotechnology change the global competition and threat environment, then develops policy and technology options to advance the competitiveness and security of the United States, its allies and partners, and the world.

Abstract network background. Global Communications technology, photo by shulz/Getty Images

Photo by shulz/Getty Images

TASP Research Areas

TASP conducts deeply interdisciplinary research, with methods that include evaluations and experiments with frontier foundation models; technical modeling and assessing current and future technical parameters; policy, authorities and legal analyses; table-top exercises, hack-a-thons, and game scenarios; and convenings and interviews. The center’s priority research areas are:

  • Tech Stack Fundamentals
    • Characterizing the current and future technology stack for high-consequence dual-use technologies like AI and biotech.
  • Tech Threat Assessment
    • Identifying whether and how current or future dual-use technologies would create major threats to national security or public safety.
  • Global Tech Flows
    • Identifying where relevant technologies are produced or housed and how they are moved around the world, including the entirety of their supply chain or development stack.
    • Analyzing options for export controls or non-proliferation coordination.
  • Global Tech Talent Flows
    • Identifying where experts in relevant technologies are trained and how they move around the world.
    • Analyzing options for onshoring technology talent.
  • Tech Evolution
    • Identifying how relevant technologies are likely to advance or change in the coming decades, and how different factors would affect those futures.
    • Analyzing options for policymakers to predictably affect the future of relevant technologies' development.
  • Defensive Tech
    • Developing detailed descriptions of technologies that could be created to mitigate existing or inbound threats.
    • Analyzing options for policymakers to develop or deploy such defenses.
  • Tech Coordination
    • Analyzing options for society to coordinate to address major technology threats. These options could involve private sector actors, domestic governments, and/or international coordination.

TASP Research Staff

The Technology and Security Policy Center engages researchers from throughout RAND, including full- and part-time staff, students at the Pardee RAND Graduate School, and a Technology and Security Policy Fellows program. Open positions at RAND are posted at the RAND employment opportunites site. Prospective students can apply directly to the Pardee RAND Graduate School at RAND's Washington and/or Santa Monica offices. The Technology and Security Policy Fellows program aims to develop new generations of policy analysts and implementers at the intersection of technology and security issues.

Center News

Featured Publications

Browse some of the latest research from TASP and fellows. Many of these were done in collaboration with other RAND research divisions or with external collaborators.

Recent Commentary

Funding

Much of the center’s research is independently initiated through unrestricted funding designated by RAND’s president and CEO to study these topics. Initial sources of funding include Founders Pledge, Jaan Tallinn, Open Philanthropy, and the Waking Up Foundation.

In addition, all RAND’s research publications include information about funders—including for those that receive direct, restricted support from sponsors.

To support the Technology and Security Policy Center, contact giving@rand.org.