Michael J. D. Vermeer
@mjdvermeer.bsky.social
Sr. Physical Scientist @RAND.org
Research Sci & Tech policy and NatSec implications of emerging technologies.
Opinions are my own.
https://www.rand.org/about/people/v/vermeer_michael_j_d.html
Research Sci & Tech policy and NatSec implications of emerging technologies.
Opinions are my own.
https://www.rand.org/about/people/v/vermeer_michael_j_d.html
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
"As technologies grow more capable, the question becomes fundamentally constitutional: Will AI be used to fulfill the promise of American democracy, or will it be allowed to create the kind of concentrated power that the founders designed the Constitution to prevent?" https://bit.ly/4hiYYLO
AI Is About to Change Our Lives Forever. Luckily We Have a User Manual for That.
The question isn't whether to slow artificial intelligence, but how to ensure it strengthens rather than undermines the democratic equality the Constitution promises.
www.rand.org
October 17, 2025 at 11:32 PM
"As technologies grow more capable, the question becomes fundamentally constitutional: Will AI be used to fulfill the promise of American democracy, or will it be allowed to create the kind of concentrated power that the founders designed the Constitution to prevent?" https://bit.ly/4hiYYLO
Can humans build defenses that could constrain even a future superintelligent AI? Our new @rand.org paper argues yes—by leveraging fundamental scientific limits and proven security engineering principles. 👉 www.rand.org/pubs/perspec... (1/3)
Can Humans Devise Practical Safeguards That Are Reliable Against an Artificial Superintelligent Agent?
Can humans design practical safeguards to protect our critical and digital infrastructure against attacks from a future artificial superintelligence? In this paper, the authors argue that such sa...
www.rand.org
October 13, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Can humans build defenses that could constrain even a future superintelligent AI? Our new @rand.org paper argues yes—by leveraging fundamental scientific limits and proven security engineering principles. 👉 www.rand.org/pubs/perspec... (1/3)
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
RAND's Chad Heitzenrater outlines why advanced AI might fundamentally reshape the economics of cybersecurity. ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4ni8ksU
How Might Artificial Intelligence Enhance Cybersecurity?
When it comes to cybersecurity, attackers have the advantage. But with the right investments in people, process, and technology, advanced artificial intelligence could be used to tilt the balance of c...
bit.ly
September 6, 2025 at 9:10 PM
RAND's Chad Heitzenrater outlines why advanced AI might fundamentally reshape the economics of cybersecurity. ⬇️ https://bit.ly/4ni8ksU
Happy to share a new report just published from @rand.org called "On the Extinction Risk from Artificial Intelligence." We tried to take a serious, rigorous look at whether human extinction from AI was possible.
www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
On the Extinction Risk from Artificial Intelligence
RAND researchers examined the threat of human extinction posed by artificial intelligence and identified risk indicators. They analyzed three scenarios and assessed that it would be immensely challeng...
www.rand.org
May 9, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Happy to share a new report just published from @rand.org called "On the Extinction Risk from Artificial Intelligence." We tried to take a serious, rigorous look at whether human extinction from AI was possible.
www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
AI needs power, and lots of it. The new RAND article argues that keeping advanced industries in the U.S. requires more than innovation, it needs strategic infrastructure.
More on: www.rand.org/pubs/article...
Full study done by RAND and RAND Europe: www.rand.org/pubs/externa...
#AI #U.S. #Energy
More on: www.rand.org/pubs/article...
Full study done by RAND and RAND Europe: www.rand.org/pubs/externa...
#AI #U.S. #Energy
AI and the Future of the U.S. Electric Grid
AI data centers suck up energy like small cities. But AI could be a big part of the solution, too. There are risks here and grid operators need to move with caution. But AI could usher in an energy fu...
www.rand.org
April 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
AI needs power, and lots of it. The new RAND article argues that keeping advanced industries in the U.S. requires more than innovation, it needs strategic infrastructure.
More on: www.rand.org/pubs/article...
Full study done by RAND and RAND Europe: www.rand.org/pubs/externa...
#AI #U.S. #Energy
More on: www.rand.org/pubs/article...
Full study done by RAND and RAND Europe: www.rand.org/pubs/externa...
#AI #U.S. #Energy
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
Leading AI labs are in hot pursuit of AGI, which would produce human-level—or even superhuman-level—intelligence across many cognitive tasks.
RAND experts highlight 5 hard national security problems such a development could present: www.rand.org/pubs/perspec...
RAND experts highlight 5 hard national security problems such a development could present: www.rand.org/pubs/perspec...
Artificial General Intelligence's Five Hard National Security Problems
Whether artificial general intelligence is ultimately realized or not, its development may pose serious challenges to national security, including the sudden emergence of wonder weapons, systemic shif...
www.rand.org
February 11, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Leading AI labs are in hot pursuit of AGI, which would produce human-level—or even superhuman-level—intelligence across many cognitive tasks.
RAND experts highlight 5 hard national security problems such a development could present: www.rand.org/pubs/perspec...
RAND experts highlight 5 hard national security problems such a development could present: www.rand.org/pubs/perspec...
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
In light of OpenAI’s new o3 model, @petersalib.bsky.social writes that "rogue AI is a concern worth taking seriously—and taking seriously now. This is a problem for which, by its very nature, solutions cannot wait until there is conclusive proof of their need."
Rogue AI Moves Three Steps Closer
OpenAI’s new o3 model suggests that it will not be long before AI systems are as smart as their human minders—or smarter.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
In light of OpenAI’s new o3 model, @petersalib.bsky.social writes that "rogue AI is a concern worth taking seriously—and taking seriously now. This is a problem for which, by its very nature, solutions cannot wait until there is conclusive proof of their need."
Poorly predict the future.
December 31, 2024 at 9:53 PM
Poorly predict the future.
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
Throughout 2024, RAND has been helping leaders better understand and address humanity's greatest challenges.
RAND president and CEO Jason Matheny reflects on some of the major policy stories of the year—and where we intend to build in 2025. 🧵
www.rand.org/pubs/comment...
RAND president and CEO Jason Matheny reflects on some of the major policy stories of the year—and where we intend to build in 2025. 🧵
www.rand.org/pubs/comment...
Looking Back on the Big Policy Stories of 2024
RAND president and CEO Jason Matheny reflects on the many ways RAND is helping leaders of all stripes better understand and address humanity's greatest challenges.
www.rand.org
December 17, 2024 at 6:44 PM
Throughout 2024, RAND has been helping leaders better understand and address humanity's greatest challenges.
RAND president and CEO Jason Matheny reflects on some of the major policy stories of the year—and where we intend to build in 2025. 🧵
www.rand.org/pubs/comment...
RAND president and CEO Jason Matheny reflects on some of the major policy stories of the year—and where we intend to build in 2025. 🧵
www.rand.org/pubs/comment...
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
Supervolcanoes. Nuclear war. Asteroids colliding with the earth.
New RAND research provides an overview of global catastrophic risk: www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
New RAND research provides an overview of global catastrophic risk: www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
Understanding and Managing Global Catastrophic Risk
In 2022, Congress passed the Global Catastrophic Risk Management Act to provide policymakers, emergency management planners, and others with a strategy to respond to catastrophic risks. A new assessme...
www.rand.org
November 17, 2024 at 3:18 PM
Supervolcanoes. Nuclear war. Asteroids colliding with the earth.
New RAND research provides an overview of global catastrophic risk: www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
New RAND research provides an overview of global catastrophic risk: www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
Free to read. Easy to navigate. Accessible for all.
Welcome to the new rand.org. ⤵️ www.rand.org/pubs/article...
Welcome to the new rand.org. ⤵️ www.rand.org/pubs/article...
Welcome to the New rand.org
RAND's newly redesigned website has a fresh look and feel, improved functionality, and enhanced performance.
www.rand.org
November 13, 2024 at 8:11 PM
Free to read. Easy to navigate. Accessible for all.
Welcome to the new rand.org. ⤵️ www.rand.org/pubs/article...
Welcome to the new rand.org. ⤵️ www.rand.org/pubs/article...
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
Starter packs are genius, but I was surprised there wasn't a list of them for people to find.
So I built it:
blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...
The website monitors the packs being shared and adds the ones it finds to the database.
Missed your stater pack? Message me and I'll get it added.
So I built it:
blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...
The website monitors the packs being shared and adds the ones it finds to the database.
Missed your stater pack? Message me and I'll get it added.
All - Bluesky Directory
A curated collection of all things relating to the Blue Sky social media platform.
blueskydirectory.com
November 11, 2024 at 4:13 PM
Starter packs are genius, but I was surprised there wasn't a list of them for people to find.
So I built it:
blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...
The website monitors the packs being shared and adds the ones it finds to the database.
Missed your stater pack? Message me and I'll get it added.
So I built it:
blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...
The website monitors the packs being shared and adds the ones it finds to the database.
Missed your stater pack? Message me and I'll get it added.
I didn't get a bunch of new followers, but I'm going to let you all what I do anyway.
👋
I research national security implications of emerging technologies (e.g., quantum computing, 5G, AI) for RAND, a nonprofit, non-partisan research institution.
Looking to follow others with similar interests!
👋
I research national security implications of emerging technologies (e.g., quantum computing, 5G, AI) for RAND, a nonprofit, non-partisan research institution.
Looking to follow others with similar interests!
November 11, 2024 at 2:12 PM
I didn't get a bunch of new followers, but I'm going to let you all what I do anyway.
👋
I research national security implications of emerging technologies (e.g., quantum computing, 5G, AI) for RAND, a nonprofit, non-partisan research institution.
Looking to follow others with similar interests!
👋
I research national security implications of emerging technologies (e.g., quantum computing, 5G, AI) for RAND, a nonprofit, non-partisan research institution.
Looking to follow others with similar interests!
Introduce yourself either some jobs you have done apart from what you do now.
1. Car washer.
2. Lifeguard.
3. Drill press operator.
4. Golf course greensperson.
5. Tutor.
6. Chemist.
1. Car washer.
2. Lifeguard.
3. Drill press operator.
4. Golf course greensperson.
5. Tutor.
6. Chemist.
Introduce yourself with some jobs you have done apart from what you do now.
1. Image processing researcher
2. Night desk in an apartment complex
3. Screenwriter
4. Computer camp counselor
5. Soundtrack coordinator
6. Music, film and book critic
7. Cybersecurity news reporter
1. Image processing researcher
2. Night desk in an apartment complex
3. Screenwriter
4. Computer camp counselor
5. Soundtrack coordinator
6. Music, film and book critic
7. Cybersecurity news reporter
Introduce yourself with some jobs you have done apart from what you do now.
1. Cook
2. Cashier
3. Inventory Manager
4. Customer Service Manager
5. Security
6. HR Director for a non-profit
7. Ombudsman
8. Secret Shopper
9. R/C vehicle repair
10. Printer repair
1. Cook
2. Cashier
3. Inventory Manager
4. Customer Service Manager
5. Security
6. HR Director for a non-profit
7. Ombudsman
8. Secret Shopper
9. R/C vehicle repair
10. Printer repair
November 11, 2024 at 12:41 PM
Introduce yourself either some jobs you have done apart from what you do now.
1. Car washer.
2. Lifeguard.
3. Drill press operator.
4. Golf course greensperson.
5. Tutor.
6. Chemist.
1. Car washer.
2. Lifeguard.
3. Drill press operator.
4. Golf course greensperson.
5. Tutor.
6. Chemist.
Is AI like nuclear technology? The Internet? Cryptography? Genetic engineering? Should we govern AI like we governed any of these technologies?
In my latest @rand.org report I explore each of these examples and how the lessons learned can be applied to AI governance!
www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
In my latest @rand.org report I explore each of these examples and how the lessons learned can be applied to AI governance!
www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
AI Governance: Lessons from Earlier Technologies
What can be done to maximize AI's benefits while minimizing its potential risks? The approaches to governing four earlier technologies—nuclear technology, the Internet, encryption products, and geneti...
www.rand.org
August 21, 2024 at 12:43 PM
Is AI like nuclear technology? The Internet? Cryptography? Genetic engineering? Should we govern AI like we governed any of these technologies?
In my latest @rand.org report I explore each of these examples and how the lessons learned can be applied to AI governance!
www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
In my latest @rand.org report I explore each of these examples and how the lessons learned can be applied to AI governance!
www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
I had the privilege to review this excellent paper, and I highly recommend it for folks interested in AI and cybersecurity!
As frontier AI models become more capable, protecting them from malicious actors will become more crucial.
Our new report highlights the importance of securing AI model weights and provides a playbook for frontier labs to benchmark security measures. 🧵
Our new report highlights the importance of securing AI model weights and provides a playbook for frontier labs to benchmark security measures. 🧵
How AI Labs Can Safeguard Model Weights
As frontier artificial intelligence models become more capable, protecting them from theft and misuse will become more important. What can be done to protect model weights—the learnable parameters tha...
www.rand.org
May 31, 2024 at 2:45 PM
I had the privilege to review this excellent paper, and I highly recommend it for folks interested in AI and cybersecurity!
have a joke about Sisyphus, but I retell it every day without ever getting to the punchline.
I have a joke about Zeno, but it takes a while to get to the punchline.
I have a joke about Euclid but it has no point.
May 11, 2024 at 4:37 PM
have a joke about Sisyphus, but I retell it every day without ever getting to the punchline.
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
Exciting breakthough in quantum computers, specifically quantum error correction. That would likely be the most powerful quantum computer to date. 4 reliable logical qubits from 30 physical qubits. Low error rate. Works on ion-trap architecture! s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/q...
April 3, 2024 at 6:01 PM
Exciting breakthough in quantum computers, specifically quantum error correction. That would likely be the most powerful quantum computer to date. 4 reliable logical qubits from 30 physical qubits. Low error rate. Works on ion-trap architecture! s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/q...
Reposted by Michael J. D. Vermeer
Great summary of a great event that I was privileged to attend and speak to. It's a short, free read, so I recommend it if you're interested in the governance and security of foundation AI models.
www.rand.org/pubs/conf_pr...
www.rand.org/pubs/conf_pr...
Foundation Model Convening
These proceedings capture perspectives emerging from a convening focused on artificial intelligence safety and security issues, such as legal liability, international governance, and cybersecurity.
www.rand.org
March 26, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Great summary of a great event that I was privileged to attend and speak to. It's a short, free read, so I recommend it if you're interested in the governance and security of foundation AI models.
www.rand.org/pubs/conf_pr...
www.rand.org/pubs/conf_pr...
Was just writing up a review and Word suggested I follow the phrase "--> Conclusion" with "-iℏt"
First, I'm flattered it thought I was writing about quantum mechanics, but also - no.
It has been a long time since I had to use the reduced Planck's constant.
First, I'm flattered it thought I was writing about quantum mechanics, but also - no.
It has been a long time since I had to use the reduced Planck's constant.
February 19, 2024 at 2:51 PM
Was just writing up a review and Word suggested I follow the phrase "--> Conclusion" with "-iℏt"
First, I'm flattered it thought I was writing about quantum mechanics, but also - no.
It has been a long time since I had to use the reduced Planck's constant.
First, I'm flattered it thought I was writing about quantum mechanics, but also - no.
It has been a long time since I had to use the reduced Planck's constant.
Made a heart-shaped pizza for my family for Valentine's Day, and it was delightful!
February 15, 2024 at 12:03 AM
Made a heart-shaped pizza for my family for Valentine's Day, and it was delightful!
The only correct answer to this question is some version of
"Insufficient information to determine conclusively"
"Insufficient information to determine conclusively"
Ok, first grade math test. Would you have gotten this right? I would not have.
February 5, 2024 at 4:55 PM
The only correct answer to this question is some version of
"Insufficient information to determine conclusively"
"Insufficient information to determine conclusively"
I managed to write 2 full pages of a research paper this morning WHILE a technician was at my house installing something.
Please clap.
Please clap.
January 29, 2024 at 5:55 PM
I managed to write 2 full pages of a research paper this morning WHILE a technician was at my house installing something.
Please clap.
Please clap.