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Announcing FutureSafe — NTI’s New AI and Emerging Tech Program — Led by Dimitri Kusnezov

Dimitri Kusnezov, Ph.D. joins NTI to lead a new program leveraging AI and emerging technologies for global security

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, robotics and automation, big data, ubiquitous sensing, space commercialization, and other disruptive technologies are transforming the technological foundation of human civilization. These technologies can radically expand and converge with each other with both intended and unintended consequences for nuclear and biological security.

To address the risks and capitalize on the opportunities associated with AI and emerging technologies, NTI is launching FutureSafe: AI and Emerging Technology, a new program to be led by Dimitri Kusnezov, PhD, a scientist and national security leader. Kusnezov recently served as Under Secretary for the Science and Technology  at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and his experience includes numerous scientific and national security positions across government and academia.

“We are at a critical juncture in scientific innovation. AI and other developing technologies are transforming the world at breathtaking clock speed. Governments need to prevent the worst outcomes and advance the benefits of these technologies at the intersection with nuclear and biological security,” said Ernest J. Moniz, co-chair and chief executive officer at NTI. “Dimitri offers deep experience and expertise at the forefront of these technologies and brings the necessary vision to lead NTI’s new FutureSafe program. His leadership will allow NTI to provide out-of-the-box solutions, as our world continues this phase of rapid scientific advancement. I worked closely with Dimitri at the Department of Energy and know that he will be an excellent colleague in advancing NTI’s nuclear and biosecurity leadership programs.”

Unlike past technological disruptions of global security which were driven by governments, market forces and commercial enterprises dominate this innovation space. Preserving global security will require visionary partnerships between policymakers and leading innovators in the private sector—partnerships that NTI has developed in other sectors.

The FutureSafe program will work with governments, industry, academia, and NGOs to:

  • Identify risks and opportunities for nuclear security arising from the convergence of AI and other emerging technologies.
  • Outline the risks and opportunities of AI in nuclear weapons modernization.
  • Catalyze the development of novel AI-enabled nuclear security technologies such as proliferation detection and verification tools.
  • In addition, NTI | bio, led by Jaime Yassif, advances FutureSafe work to promote urgent actions that leaders within government, industry, the scientific community, and civil society should take to safeguard AI-bio capabilities.

About Dimitri Kusnezov, Ph.D.

Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov served as the Under Secretary for Science and Technology in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from September 8, 2022, until January 10, 2025. As the science advisor to the Homeland Security Secretary, Kusnezov led the research, development, innovation and testing and evaluation activities in support of the Department and first responders across the nation.

Prior to DHS, Kusnezov served in numerous scientific and national security positions, including as a theoretical physicist working at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) focusing on emerging technologies as Deputy Under Secretary for Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Technology. He was Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Energy, Chief Scientist for the National Nuclear Security Administration, Director of Advanced Simulation and Computing and the Director of the National Security Science, Technology and Engineering programs. He created numerous government programs, working across agencies, and with international partners, private sector, and philanthropic entities.

Prior to government service, Kusnezov worked in academia. He served on the Yale University faculty, where he was a professor for more than a decade in Theoretical Physics and served as a visiting professor at numerous universities around the world. Kusnezov completed a postdoc and was an instructor at Michigan State University, following a year of research at the Institut fur Kernphysik, KFA-Julich, in Germany. He earned his MS in Physics and Ph.D. in Theoretical Nuclear Physics at Princeton University and received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Physics and in Pure Mathematics with highest honors from UC Berkeley.

About FutureSafe

FutureSafe works with governments, industry, academia, and NGOs to create a more comprehensive understanding of the risks and opportunities posed by AI and emerging technologies to nuclear and biological threats and to implement innovative solutions and policy responses. The program works to strengthen nuclear and biosecurity, to develop guardrails for risks associated with AI-nuclear and AI-biological risks, and to develop and promote positive applications of AI to strengthen nuclear security, biosecurity, and pandemic preparedness.

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