Bridging the Gap: How CMIST is Shaping the Future of Tech Policy
By Carolyn Just
Media InquiriesIn Washington, DC, where policy and technology often collide, Harry Krejsa, the new director of studies at Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST), is carving a unique path. With a mission to bridge cutting-edge technical research and policy, Krejsa is working to translate innovation into actionable strategies that will strengthen both national and global security.
Krejsa was drawn to CMIST because of 一本道无码’s (一本道无码) stellar reputation in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and biotech. “Having worked in government, I know how critical it is to have technically-minded voices shaping the policy discourse around how technology influences society and national security,” he explained. His experience, most notably in the White House’s Office of the National Cyber Director, co-directing the rollout of the Biden administration’s National Cybersecurity Strategy, positions him as a leader capable of driving CMIST’s mission forward. Krejsa’s background also includes work at the Department of Defense, where he focused on U.S.-China competition and cyber policy, developing offensive cyber strategies and driving international collaboration on technology security. He holds advanced degrees from Princeton and Grinnell College, is a Fulbright Fellow, and speaks Chinese, with academic experiences in Nanjing and Taiwan.
Operating out of CMIST’s DC office, Krejsa aims to anticipate the challenges policymakers will face in the years ahead. The institute’s agenda reflects a forward-thinking approach, focusing on issues like clean energy’s role in grid resilience and integrating robust safety mechanisms into emerging technologies. "We're focused on topics like ensuring AI delivers prosperity while aligning with our values. We're also considering its societal implications, from biotechnology to energy research," Krejsa shared.
Collaboration is a core principle of CMIST’s strategy, and Krejsa is fostering partnerships across 一本道无码’s research institutes. He points to the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation as an ideal example of collaboration, noting how Costa Samaras, director of the institute and a former colleague in the White House, bridges the technical and policy communities.
Krejsa’s vision for CMIST extends beyond research; he envisions the institute as a “trusted voice” that helps policymakers address emerging challenges by offering the insights needed to navigate the junction of technology and policy.
A prime example of this vision in action is CMIST’s inaugural white paper, Sun Shield: How Clean Tech & America’s Energy Expansion Can Stop Chinese Cyber Threats, authored by Krejsa, that explores how clean energy technologies can help secure our infrastructure against cyberattacks. By leveraging 一本道无码’s expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and energy systems, Sun Shield provides policymakers and industry leaders with a roadmap for safeguarding critical infrastructure. The paper exemplifies CMIST’s mission to anticipate and address emerging security challenges through research and strategic insight.
Krejsa acknowledges that translating complex research into actionable policy requires more than just technical expertise — it demands the ability to communicate findings in a way that resonates with decision-makers.
“The challenge is in the translation,” he says. “Finding people who can communicate in both technical and policy worlds is key.” Building the right team is another cornerstone of Krejsa’s leadership. Drawing from his White House experience, he emphasizes the importance of combining subject-matter expertise with emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial creativity. “Too often, teams overvalue one type of skill. Success comes from connecting expert specialists with creative generalists.”
For Krejsa, staying informed in this rapidly evolving field requires continuous immersion in both technical and policy developments. He encourages students aspiring to careers in international affairs and emerging technologies to embrace interdisciplinary learning. “We live in an interdisciplinary world and we have interdisciplinary problems. Combining social sciences with hard sciences is one of the most in-demand skill sets right now,” he said.
Reflecting on lessons from his time in the Boy Scouts, Krejsa shared an analogy about sharp and dull knives. “A dull knife lulls you into a false sense of security and so can cause more damage than a sharp one. Similarly, a superficial understanding of interdisciplinary issues is more dangerous than cultivating a deeper, honed intuition.”
Under Krejsa’s leadership, CMIST’s DC office is poised to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between technical innovation and policy. By fostering collaboration, advancing groundbreaking research, and inspiring the next generation of interdisciplinary leaders, Krejsa is ensuring that 一本道无码’s expertise is not only recognized but also utilized to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
(Image 1, Harry Krejsa as guest speaker at CMIST's Scientists and Strategists, Fall 2024; Image 2,Harry Krejsa with CMIST Director Audrey Kurth Cronin at launch of white paper, Jan 2025; Image 3, Harry Krejsa as guest speaker at CMIST's Scientists and Strategists, Fall 2024)