emerging technology
Dr. Oliver Stephenson is the Associate Director for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Policy at the Federation of American Scientists. In this role, he connects technical expertise with the policymaking process, ensuring that AI and other emerging technologies are adopted ethically and responsibly.
Before joining FAS, Oliver worked on Capitol Hill, advising on science and technology policy. His portfolio spanned issues at the intersection of AI, national security, civil rights, and environmental sustainability.
Oliver holds a Ph.D. and master’s in Geophysics from the California Institute of Technology, where his research included developing novel applications of deep learning for disaster response. He also received a master’s and bachelor’s in Experimental and Theoretical Physics from the University of Cambridge.
As of March 2026, there were at least nine documented U.S. wrongful arrests tied to face recognition misidentification. Errors like these are as much human as machine.
Even as companies and countries race to adopt AI, the U.S. lacks the capacity to fully characterize the behavior and risks of AI systems and ensure leadership across the AI stack. This gap has direct consequences for Commerce’s core missions.
The current lack of public trust in AI risks inhibiting innovation and adoption of AI systems, meaning new methods will not be discovered and new benefits won’t be felt. A failure to uphold high standards in the technology we deploy will also place our nation at a strategic disadvantage compared to our competitors.
To sustain America’s leadership in AI innovation, accelerate adoption across the economy, and guarantee that AI systems remain secure and trustworthy, we offer a set of policy recommendations.