Brookings Institution AI and Emerging Technology Initiative
Brookings Institution AI and Emerging Technology Initiative
The Brookings AIET Initiative is one of the most-cited think tank programs on AI policy in Washington. Part of the Governance Studies program, it produces influential research on AI regulation, workforce impacts, US-China tech competition, and algorithmic governance. Brookings reports are staples for policymakers shaping AI legislation.
Quick Assessment
| Dimension | Assessment | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Influence | Very High | One of the most-cited think tanks in AI policy, reports regularly referenced by Congress |
| Research Breadth | Very High | Covers AI regulation, workforce, competition, governance, healthcare, national security |
| Institutional Prestige | Very High | Brookings is consistently ranked among the world's top think tanks |
| Independence | High | Nonpartisan think tank with diverse funding base |
| Convening Power | Very High | Hosts senior government officials, industry leaders, and international delegations |
| Historical Depth | High | AI research program builds on decades of Brookings technology policy work |
Organization Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Parent Organization | Brookings Institution (founded 1916) |
| Program | AI and Emerging Technology (AIET) Initiative, Governance Studies |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Structure | Program within nonpartisan think tank |
| Director | Elham Tabassi (since March 2025; former NIST Chief AI Advisor) |
| Key Fellows | Darrell West (senior fellow), Tom Wheeler (visiting fellow), Valerie Wirtschafter (fellow) |
| Website | brookings.edu/projects/artificial-intelligence-and-emerging-technology-initiative |
| Focus Areas | AI regulation, workforce automation, algorithmic governance, US-China competition, democratic accountability |
Overview
The Brookings Institution's AI and Emerging Technology (AIET) Initiative is part of the Governance Studies program at one of the world's oldest and most influential policy research organizations. Founded in 1916, Brookings has shaped American domestic and foreign policy for over a century, and its AI program carries that institutional weight into technology governance debates.
The AIET Initiative produces a steady stream of policy reports, commentaries, and books on AI governance that are widely consumed by Congressional staff, executive branch officials, and international policymakers. Brookings' AI work is distinguished by its breadth — covering everything from algorithmic accountability and workforce automation to US-China technology competition and AI in healthcare — and by its institutional credibility, which gives its recommendations significant weight in policy circles.
Key Research Areas
AI Regulation and Governance: Brookings has produced influential analyses of regulatory approaches to AI, including comparative studies of US, EU, and Chinese approaches to AI governance. Their "Network architecture for global AI policy" work has proposed frameworks for international AI governance coordination.
Workforce and Economic Impacts: Extensive research on how AI and automation affect employment, skills requirements, and economic inequality, including geographic analysis of which communities are most affected by AI-driven disruption.
Algorithmic Accountability: Research on the use of AI in government decision-making, including criminal justice, benefits administration, and hiring, with recommendations for transparency and oversight mechanisms.
US-China Technology Competition: Analysis of AI competition between the US and China, including implications for export controls, talent flows, and strategic advantage.
Convening Role
Beyond research, Brookings serves as a major convening platform for AI policy discussions in Washington. The institution regularly hosts events featuring senior government officials, industry executives, and international AI governance leaders, creating a forum for policy deliberation that influences the broader discourse.
Key Dynamics
Centrist institutional voice: Brookings occupies a center-left to centrist position in the Washington think tank landscape, providing a counterpoint to both industry-aligned organizations and more activist groups. Its AI work tends toward pragmatic regulatory recommendations rather than either deregulatory or precautionary extremes.
Complementarity with specialized orgs: While CSET provides deeper AI-specific expertise and GovAI focuses more on frontier AI risks, Brookings brings broader institutional credibility and a wider policy audience. Many policymakers who wouldn't read specialized AI safety research will read Brookings reports.
International reach: Brookings' global reputation and international programs give its AI governance research reach beyond Washington, influencing AI policy discussions in the EU, OECD, and G7.