William A. Carter

Senior Associate (Non-resident), Wadhwani AI Center
William A. Carter

William A. Carter is an AI policy expert with extensive experience shaping government policies and regulations on AI, working with product teams to develop and deploy AI responsibly in real-world applications, and crafting responsible innovation practices and standards. Currently, he serves as AI policy lead for Knowledge and Information at Google. Previously, he worked on responsible generative AI at Accenture. From 2020 to 2023, he was head of AI policy at Google, where he led the firm’s engagement on AI policy and regulation with senior policymakers around the world, advised senior leadership and C-suite executives on AI product strategy and implementation, and developed and implemented AI policies and governance across the company. Before joining Google, he was the deputy director of the Technology Policy Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where his research focused on international technology policy issues, including emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data governance. In this role, he worked with companies and governments to establish early AI strategies and AI principles, including leading global frameworks like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development AI Principles. He also testified before the U.S. Congress, spoke at events and conferences around the world, and advised leading global companies on technology trends and their implications. Before joining CSIS, he worked in the investment management division at Goldman Sachs, where he covered geopolitical risk and the technology and telecom sectors. He graduated from New York University with a BA in economics.

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The Need for a Leapfrog Strategy

Developing nations are eager to take advantage of emerging technologies to accelerate their growth through “leapfrog” development, but the lack of a clear strategy means that many countries still struggle to understand what steps they can take to drive progress.

Commentary by Erol Yayboke, William Crumpler, and William A. Carter — April 10, 2020

Understanding the Entities Listing in the Context of U.S.-China AI Competition

The U.S. government recently blacklisted several major Chinese AI firms for their role in human rights abuses in Xinjiang Province. CSIS’s William A. Carter and William D. Crumpler examine what this means in the context of U.S.-China AI competition.

Critical Questions by William Crumpler and William A. Carter — October 15, 2019

Smart Money on Chinese Advances in AI

China is investing heavily in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive economic progress and achieve strategic leadership. This report examines China’s progress towards building an AI innovation ecosystem, and explains how the U.S. can respond.

Report by William A. Carter and William Crumpler — September 30, 2019

Financial Sector Cybersecurity Requirements in the Asia-Pacific Region

Across APAC, a range of new regulatory regimes are being developed to manage the risk of cyber attacks on banks. Harmonizing regulators’ approaches could help reduce systemic risks, improve regulatory efficiency, and promote economic growth.

Report by William A. Carter and William Crumpler — April 30, 2019

The American AI Initiative: Bluster or Gangbuster?

CSIS technology policy expert William Carter goes over some key questions on the recent executive order signed by President Trump outlining the American AI Initiative—a five-part national strategy to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. 

Critical Questions by William A. Carter — February 12, 2019

CSIS Election Cybersecurity Scorecard: The Outlook for 2018, 2020 and Beyond

Based on the current U.S. election security landscape, the CSIS Election Security Scorecard gives recommendations on how the United States can better prepare, secure, and defend against cyber threats ahead of the midterm elections in November, the presidential election in 2020, and beyond.

Report by William A. Carter — October 29, 2018

Extending Federal Cybersecurity to the Endpoint

This whitepaper summarizes the efforts of a group of experts from the federal government, key government agencies, and private industry to identify a path forward for extending cybersecurity to endpoint devices connected to federal networks.

Report by William A. Carter — October 9, 2018

Promising Start, but Few Details in House AI Report

The recent House AI report avoids the hyperbole and fearmongering endemic to recent AI policy debates, but it overlooks key areas where U.S. government leadership is needed as CSIS Technology Policy Program Deputy Director William Carter writes in his commentary.

Commentary by William A. Carter — September 26, 2018

Low-Hanging Fruit: Evidence-Based Solutions to the Digital Evidence Challenge

Whether you believe law enforcement is “going dark” or we are in a “golden age of surveillance,” law enforcement faces substantial challenges in identifying and accessing digital evidence that is available and important to their criminal investigations.

Report by William A. Carter, William Crumpler, and Jennifer Daskal — July 25, 2018