The twenty-first century has been defined by technological change, from the explosive growth of the internet to the advent of AI. CSIS scholars lead research on how rapid technological change affects all aspects of society, from the most complex national security challenges to issues of everyday life.

Photo: M@rketVisualsStudio/Adobe Stock

Photo: M@rketVisualsStudio/Adobe Stock

The End of “As-Is”: Could AI Undermine Software’s U.S. Legal Shield?

AI has fundamentally shattered the economic justifications that courts used to excuse software vendors from product liability. Because low-cost AI agents can now identify critical vulnerabilities at scale, continuing to allow commercial vendors to hide behind boilerplate “as-is” legal disclaimers is bad public policy, and policymakers must act to realign legal expectations with technological reality.

Commentary by Sezaneh Seymour — August 6, 2026

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Photo: © Marco Bottigelli/GETTY IMAGES

Photo: © Marco Bottigelli/GETTY IMAGES

The Futures Summit Day 1

April 10, 2026 • 8:30 am – 4:30 pm EDT
Hosted by Global Development
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Matt Pearl

Matt Pearl

Director, Strategic Technologies Program
Kari Bingen

Kari A. Bingen

Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Emily Harding

Emily Harding

Vice President, Defense and Security Department; Director, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
Scott Kennedy

Scott Kennedy

Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics
Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Caitlin Welsh

Caitlin Welsh

Director, Global Food and Water Security Program
Alek Jovovic

Alek Jovovic

Deputy Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Clayton Swope

Clayton Swope

Deputy Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Strategic Technologies Program
Romina Bandura

Romina Bandura

Senior Fellow, Project on Prosperity and Development

Nikita Shah

Senior Fellow, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
Joseph Rodgers

Joseph Rodgers

Deputy Director and Fellow, Project on Nuclear Issues
Kate Koren

Kate Koren

Deputy Director, Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business
Chris Borges

Chris Borges

Fellow and Senior Program Manager, Economic Security and Technology Department
Hugh Nolan Grant-Chapman

Hugh Grant-Chapman

Fellow, Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business
Aman Thakker

Aman Thakker

Fellow, Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics
Andrew Faulhaber

Andrew Faulhaber

Visiting Fellow, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program

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Bridging the Gap: LEO Satellite Internet and Human Rights

Low Earth orbit satellite internet holds tremendous promise for keeping government functioning and civil society connected in the direst of circumstances, but it must be harnessed for the public good and evade continued authoritarian efforts to fully shut off the internet.

Critical Questions by Andrew Friedman — August 6, 2026

The End of “As-Is”: Could AI Undermine Software’s U.S. Legal Shield?

AI has fundamentally shattered the economic justifications that courts used to excuse software vendors from product liability. Because low-cost AI agents can now identify critical vulnerabilities at scale, continuing to allow commercial vendors to hide behind boilerplate “as-is” legal disclaimers is bad public policy, and policymakers must act to realign legal expectations with technological reality.

Commentary by Sezaneh Seymour — August 6, 2026

The Role of Regional Networks in Twenty-First-Century Industrial Policy

America's next era of technological leadership will be won in its regions. Connecting research, manufacturing, and commercialization through regional innovation ecosystems can help turn scientific breakthroughs into economic and strategic advantage.

Commentary by Sujai Shivakumar — August 3, 2026

Taiwan Needs an AI Cyber Shield Now to Defend Against Invasion

China attempts over 2.6 million cyber intrusions daily into Taiwan’s networks. Taiwan should adopt the United Kingdom’s newest AI cyber shield concept, developing its own nationally integrated AI cybersecurity system to disrupt China’s reunification efforts.

Commentary by Andrew Faulhaber — July 29, 2026

Blurred Orbits: Inside China’s Commercial Space Expansion

The expansion of China’s commercial space industry is stunning in both scale and speed. U.S. policymakers must understand these trends now, before America finds itself outpaced in sheer industrial capacity and output.

Report by Kari A. Bingen, Aidan Powers-Riggs, and Chantal Li — July 29, 2026

Red Kraken: The Coming Age of Agentic Cyber Strategy

In a tabletop exercise, members of Congress faced Red Kraken, an AI agent trained to emulate Beijing. Benjamin Jensen and Emily Harding examine how China could target ports and logistics to delay U.S. mobilization and argue for AI-enabled gaming to strengthen cyber defenses.

Commentary by Benjamin Jensen and Emily Harding — July 28, 2026

How the U.S. Can Survive a Large-Scale AI Cyberattack

Advances in offensive AI cyber capabilities are threatening U.S. cybersecurity. The U.S. must improve its whole-of-society cyber readiness through enhancing its partnerships and communication before a major AI cyber-attack occurs. 

Commentary by Andrew Faulhaber — July 23, 2026