Lauren Kahn

About Lauren Kahn

In particular, I am interested in the unique challenges artificial intelligence (AI) poses when applied to defense and military contexts and how countries can pursue development safely and ethically.​Previously, I was a Policy Advisor for Force Development and Emerging Capabilities in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (OUSDP) at the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). At DoD, my portfolio focused on defense innovation, nesting at the intersection of AI policy and traditional force development. In this vein, I worked both extensively with external partners to develop national and international AI and autonomy policies and norms, as well as with internal DoD stakeholders to translate strategy into budget and programming decisions, to get the best and most cutting-edge tools and technologies into the hands of our warfighters.Before entering government, I was a research fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), where I worked within the National Security & Defense and Digital & Cyberspace Policy programs, where I pursued a two-year project focused on AI and the future of U.S. defense. You can read more on my publications page.Prior to joining the Council on Foreign Relations, I worked as a research fellow at Perry World House, the University of Pennsylvania’s global policy think tank, where I helped launch and run its project on emerging technologies and global politics.My work has appeared in Foreign Affairs, Defense One, Lawfare, War on the Rocks, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the Washington Quarterly, and the Journal of Conflict Resolution, among others, and has been featured in the Economist. I regularly contribute commentary and analysis to print and broadcast media and have given briefings to senior officials in the U.S. Department of Defense and members of Congress.I received my bachelor\'s degree in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania and my master’s degree in computer and information technology at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.I spend any additional waking hours in the studio forging designs as a goldsmith and traditional bench jeweler.You can view my recent work, talks, and media appearances on my website: https://lakahn4.wixsite.com/lauren-kahn

Experience

1. Senior Research Analyst

   Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET)

   Jul 2023 — Present · Washington, DC, US

Education

• University of Pennsylvania

  Bachelor's degree (Magna Cum Laude), International Relations (major) American Public Policy/Business Public Policy (APP/BPP) (minor)

  2015 — 2019

• Siegal College (@Akiva)

  Hebrew Language and Literature

  2011 — 2015

• University of Pennsylvania

  Master's degree, Computer and Information Technology (School of Engineering and Applied Science)

  2020 — 2023