Princeton Students Share AI Policy Insights on Capitol Hill

Published Date : 06/01/2025 

Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (Princeton SPIA) juniors presented their findings on AI policy to key policymakers, focusing on cybersecurity, biological weapons, and misinformation campaigns. The task force, led by Ali Nouri, involved guest lecturers from Nvidia and RAND Corporation. 

While artificial intelligence holds the promise of unlocking unprecedented human potential, it also presents significant challenges that policymakers must address.

From sophisticated cyber threats to the potential misuse of AI in biological agents, the need for robust AI policy is more crucial than ever.

This past semester, juniors at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (Princeton SPIA) took on these challenges through the School’s first-ever AI Policy Task Force, led by Ali Nouri, a lecturer at Princeton SPIA and former deputy assistant to President Joe Biden.

Policy Task Forces are a mandatory component of the Princeton SPIA undergraduate curriculum, providing students with hands-on experience in addressing pressing policy challenges.

These challenges can range from environmental justice to China’s rule of law.

The AI Policy Task Force offered students a unique opportunity to delve into the practical aspects of policy-making in the realm of AI.

According to Nouri, “It’s one thing to think about these issues on a theoretical level at Princeton, but it’s a different thing when they’re actually in those buildings, sitting across the table from a Hill staffer or a senator.” The course culminated in a comprehensive series of briefings on Capitol Hill, at the White House, and at the Department of Energy.

Students presented their policy recommendations to key leaders, including Sen.

Cory Booker of New Jersey, focusing on three critical areas cybersecurity, biological weapons, and misinformation campaigns.

The day began with a bipartisan meeting involving staff members from Sens.

Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), as well as a representative from the Senate Appropriations Committee.

One of the key insights shared by Brianna McGee ‘26 was that AI automates various attacks, necessitating automated defenses.

Justin Lee ‘26 elaborated on how defensive AI tactics, such as training AI on digital networks related to the electrical grid, can help detect and counteract sophisticated cyberattacks.

To prepare for these briefings, the students engaged with industry and government leaders in the AI field.

This included guest lecturers from Nvidia, a leading manufacturer of AI chips, and RAND Corporation, a renowned organization for assessing national security opportunities and risks of AI.

The Hill staffers were particularly interested in the students' insights from their interactions with the private sector.

McGee noted that many small businesses lack the resources to defend against cyberattacks and are seeking support from Washington.

To hone their presentation skills, the students practiced responding to off-the-cuff questions during mock briefings, inspired by the “murder boards” used at the Department of Energy to prepare nominees for Congressional hearings.

Nouri emphasized, “I basically replicated that model with the students.”

Later in the afternoon, the students presented their findings to leaders at the Department of Energy, including Helena Fu, the director of the Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies.

The day concluded with a visit to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where the students paused to take photos in front of the White House before briefing members of the National Security Council and the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Some of the most memorable moments for the students were the unscripted interactions.

Deputy Secretary David Turk met the students by the elevators at the Department of Energy and encouraged them to consider careers in public service.

During a scheduled photo opportunity with Sen.

Booker, the students were invited to sit and discuss their work and the challenges of regulating AI.

Booker, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, highlighted the difficulty of passing policies in the rapidly evolving technology sector.

He praised the students' specific recommendations, such as expanding health privacy protections to genetic data, and encouraged them to remain engaged in the field.

Vivian Bui ‘26, who briefed Booker on AI and disinformation, described the meeting as the highlight of the day.

“Getting to discuss with him directly about our recommendations that we worked so hard on was very cool,” Bui said, adding that the trip was “a really formative experience.” 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):

Q: What is the AI Policy Task Force at Princeton SPIA?

A: The AI Policy Task Force is a program at Princeton School of Public and International Affairs where students research and formulate policy recommendations related to artificial intelligence. The course culminates in presentations to policymakers on Capitol Hill and in the White House.

Q: Who led the AI Policy Task Force?

A: The AI Policy Task Force was led by Ali Nouri, a lecturer at Princeton SPIA and a former deputy assistant to President Joe Biden.

Q: What are the three areas of focus in the AI Policy Task Force?

A: The three areas of focus in the AI Policy Task Force are cybersecurity, biological weapons, and misinformation campaigns.

Q: How did the students prepare for their briefings?

A: To prepare for their briefings, students engaged with industry and government leaders, including guest lecturers from Nvidia and RAND Corporation. They also practiced responding to tough questions through mock briefings inspired by 'murder boards' used to prepare nominees for Congressional hearings.

Q: What was the highlight of the students' experience?

A: One of the highlights was an impromptu 30-minute discussion with Sen. Cory Booker, where the students presented their recommendations and received valuable feedback and encouragement. 

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