AI data centers have become a flashpoint for policymakers across the country in the leadup to midterm elections, with polls showing that seven in 10 Americans oppose new data center construction in their local area. In this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, Wadhwani AI Center director Aalok Mehta sits down with writer Jasmine Sun for a conversation about the AI data center backlash. They unpack what's driving the opposition movement, where Washington and Silicon Valley diverge from the rest of the country, and how the AI infrastructure buildout might influence voters in November.
This event is made possible by general funding to CSIS and the CSIS Wadhwani AI Center.

AI data centers have become a flashpoint for policymakers across the country in the leadup to midterm elections, with polls showing that seven in 10 Americans oppose new data center construction in their local area. In this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, Wadhwani AI Center director Aalok Mehta sits down with writer Jasmine Sun for a conversation about the AI data center backlash. They unpack what's driving the opposition movement, where Washington and Silicon Valley diverge from the rest of the country, and how the AI infrastructure buildout might influence voters in November. This event is made possible by general funding to CSIS and the CSIS Wadhwani AI Center.

Unpacking the Data Center Backlash with Jasmine Sun

Aalok and Nicole discuss the latest AI cyber incidents, including major ARTEX-driven hacks and Qwen3.8 attempting to send local system data to a server in China. On the bright side, security experts used AI to find and patch a vulnerability in PHP impacting 70% of the internet. Plus, what's interesting in the Kimi K3.1 Pro model card and why Anthropic is getting backlash for its draft safety bill.
 
Timestamps:
 
1:12 ARTEX-enabled hacks
9:50 Qwen3.8 attempts to send data to China server
17:56 Calif finds vulnerability in PHP with GPT-5.6 Sol
25:32 Kimi K3.1 Pro model launch
31:06 Anthropic pitches draft safety bill
 
Additional Reading:
 
Microsoft blog post on ARTEX-enabled attack: <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/10/21/storm-0940-uses-artex-agentic-ai-connectwise-supply-chain-compromise/">https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/10/21/storm-0940-uses-artex-agentic-ai-connectwise-supply-chain-compromise/</a>
 
Cohere report on misaligned Qwen3.8: <a href="https://cohere.com/blog/concerning-behaviour-popular-open-weight-ai-model">https://cohere.com/blog/concerning-behaviour-popular-open-weight-ai-model</a>
 
Calif report on PHP2Shell: <a href="https://calif.io/php2shell/">https://calif.io/php2shell/</a>
 
Kimi K3.1 Pro model card: <a href="https://www.kimi.ai/blog/kimi-k3-1-pro">https://www.kimi.ai/blog/kimi-k3-1-pro</a>
 
Anthropic's statement on improved distillation defenses: <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/news/distillation-defenses">https://www.anthropic.com/news/distillation-defenses</a>
 
Anthropic’s draft AI safety bill: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lJLyXL_2T6yc4rlKPqi6niMpfGucZ-oR/view">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lJLyXL_2T6yc4rlKPqi6niMpfGucZ-oR/view</a>
 
Anthropic’s IPO prospectus: <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2130357/000162828026067168/anthropicpbc-sx1.htm">https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2130357/000162828026067168/anthropicpbc-sx1.htm</a>

Aalok and Nicole discuss the latest AI cyber incidents, including major ARTEX-driven hacks and Qwen3.8 attempting to send local system data to a server in China. On the bright side, security experts used AI to find and patch a vulnerability in PHP impacting 70% of the internet. Plus, what's interesting in the Kimi K3.1 Pro model card and why Anthropic is getting backlash for its draft safety bill. Timestamps: 1:12 ARTEX-enabled hacks 9:50 Qwen3.8 attempts to send data to China server 17:56 Calif finds vulnerability in PHP with GPT-5.6 Sol 25:32 Kimi K3.1 Pro model launch 31:06 Anthropic pitches draft safety bill Additional Reading: Microsoft blog post on ARTEX-enabled attack: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/10/21/storm-0940-uses-artex-agentic-ai-connectwise-supply-chain-compromise/ Cohere report on misaligned Qwen3.8: https://cohere.com/blog/concerning-behaviour-popular-open-weight-ai-model Calif report on PHP2Shell: https://calif.io/php2shell/ Kimi K3.1 Pro model card: https://www.kimi.ai/blog/kimi-k3-1-pro Anthropic's statement on improved distillation defenses: https://www.anthropic.com/news/distillation-defenses Anthropic’s draft AI safety bill: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lJLyXL_2T6yc4rlKPqi6niMpfGucZ-oR/view Anthropic’s IPO prospectus: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2130357/000162828026067168/anthropicpbc-sx1.htm

Aalok and Nicole discuss the latest AI cyber incidents, including major ARTEX-driven hacks and Qwen3.8 attempting to send local system data to a server in China. On the bright side, security experts used AI to find and patch a vulnerability in PHP impacting 70% of the internet. Plus, what's interesting in the Kimi K3.1 Pro model card and why Anthropic is getting backlash for its draft safety bill.
&nbsp;
Timestamps:
&nbsp;
1:12 ARTEX-enabled hacks
9:50 Qwen3.8 attempts to send data to China server
17:56 Calif finds vulnerability in PHP with GPT-5.6 Sol
25:32 Kimi K3.1 Pro model launch
31:06 Anthropic pitches draft safety bill
&nbsp;
Additional Reading:
&nbsp;
Microsoft blog post on ARTEX-enabled attack: <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/10/21/storm-0940-uses-artex-agentic-ai-connectwise-supply-chain-compromise/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/10/21/storm-0940-uses-artex-agentic-ai-connectwise-supply-chain-compromise/</a>
&nbsp;
Cohere report on misaligned Qwen3.8: <a href="https://cohere.com/blog/concerning-behaviour-popular-open-weight-ai-model" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://cohere.com/blog/concerning-behaviour-popular-open-weight-ai-model</a>
&nbsp;
Calif report on PHP2Shell: <a href="https://calif.io/php2shell/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://calif.io/php2shell/</a>
&nbsp;
Kimi K3.1 Pro model card: <a href="https://www.kimi.ai/blog/kimi-k3-1-pro" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.kimi.ai/blog/kimi-k3-1-pro</a>
&nbsp;
Anthropic's statement on improved distillation defenses: <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/news/distillation-defenses" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.anthropic.com/news/distillation-defenses</a>
&nbsp;
Anthropic’s draft AI safety bill: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lJLyXL_2T6yc4rlKPqi6niMpfGucZ-oR/view" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lJLyXL_2T6yc4rlKPqi6niMpfGucZ-oR/view</a>
&nbsp;
Anthropic’s IPO prospectus: <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2130357/000162828026067168/anthropicpbc-sx1.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2130357/000162828026067168/anthropicpbc-sx1.htm</a>&nbsp;

AI Cyber Incidents Pile Up + Anthropic’s Draft Safety Bill

This episode cross-posts the event "From Shahed to Geran: How Russia Continues to Reinvent the One-Way Attack Drone" hosted by the Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS on September 29. 
Check out the full event recording: <a href="https://www.csis.org/events/shahed-geran-how-russia-continues-reinvent-one-way-attack-drone">https://www.csis.org/events/shahed-geran-how-russia-continues-reinvent-one-way-attack-drone</a>
 
Guests:
Kateryna Bondar, Senior Fellow, Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Nicole Errera, Research Assistant, Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS 
Samuel Bendett, Senior Associate (Non-resident), Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at CSIS
 
Additional Reading:
"From Shahed to Geran: How Russia Continues to Reinvent the One-Way Attack Drone" by Kateryna Bondar and Nicole Errera: <a href="https://www.csis.org/analysis/shahed-geran-how-russia-continues-reinvent-one-way-attack-drone">https://www.csis.org/analysis/shahed-geran-how-russia-continues-reinvent-one-way-attack-drone</a>

This episode cross-posts the event "From Shahed to Geran: How Russia Continues to Reinvent the One-Way Attack Drone" hosted by the Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS on September 29. Check out the full event recording: https://www.csis.org/events/shahed-geran-how-russia-continues-reinvent-one-way-attack-drone Guests: Kateryna Bondar, Senior Fellow, Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Nicole Errera, Research Assistant, Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS Samuel Bendett, Senior Associate (Non-resident), Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at CSIS Additional Reading: "From Shahed to Geran: How Russia Continues to Reinvent the One-Way Attack Drone" by Kateryna Bondar and Nicole Errera: https://www.csis.org/analysis/shahed-geran-how-russia-continues-reinvent-one-way-attack-drone

This episode cross-posts the event "From Shahed to Geran: How Russia Continues to Reinvent the One-Way Attack Drone" hosted by the Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS on September 29.&nbsp;
Check out the full event recording: <a href="https://www.csis.org/events/shahed-geran-how-russia-continues-reinvent-one-way-attack-drone" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.csis.org/events/shahed-geran-how-russia-continues-reinvent-one-way-attack-drone</a>
&nbsp;
Guests:
Kateryna Bondar, Senior Fellow, Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Nicole Errera, Research Assistant, Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS&nbsp;
Samuel Bendett, Senior Associate (Non-resident), Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at CSIS
 
Additional Reading:
"From Shahed to Geran: How Russia Continues to Reinvent the One-Way Attack Drone" by Kateryna Bondar and Nicole Errera: <a href="https://www.csis.org/analysis/shahed-geran-how-russia-continues-reinvent-one-way-attack-drone" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.csis.org/analysis/shahed-geran-how-russia-continues-reinvent-one-way-attack-drone</a>

Tracing the Evolution of Russia's Geran Drone with CSIS's Kateryna Bondar, Nicole Errera & Samuel Bendett

In this episode, Aalok and Nicole unpack OpenAI's latest math proof drop before diving into the White House's first policy actions in the "SI" era. They cover the (voluntary?) Accord on Super Intelligence signed by all the major industry players and discuss what listeners can expect from Trump's new Super Intelligence Force. 
 
 
*This episode was recorded at 2:00 pm ET on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.*
 
 
Timestamps:
 
00:39 Model release updates + OpenAI/Anthropic price war
7:48 New math results from OpenAI
21:42 Tech leaders sign Accord on Super Intelligence
34:02 Trump's new Super Intelligence task force
43:40 Nonprofit sues OpenAI over Hugging Face hack
 
Additional Reading:
 
"Introducing GPT-6 Sol and Luna" by OpenAI: <a href="https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-6-sol-and-luna/">https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-6-sol-and-luna/</a>
"Introducing Claude Opus 5.5" by Anthropic: <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/claude-opus-5-5">https://www.anthropic.com/claude-opus-5-5</a>
"GPT-6.1 Sol" by OpenAI: <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/claude-opus-5-5">https://www.anthropic.com/claude-opus-5-5</a>
"Claude Haiku 5.5" by Anthropic: <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/claude-haiku-5-5">https://www.anthropic.com/claude-haiku-5-5</a>
"Introducing Muse Wonder and Muse Wonder Full: Frontier Models for Agents" by Meta: <a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2026/10/introducing-muse-wonder-models/">https://about.fb.com/news/2026/10/introducing-muse-wonder-models/</a>
"Mark Zuckerberg says Meta has reached AI 'frontier'" by Financial Times: <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/fca23e77-be57-4d7e-ae61-74ff299e25cb">https://www.ft.com/content/fca23e77-be57-4d7e-ae61-74ff299e25cb</a>
"Gemini 4 Argon: Built to solve your hardest problems" by Google: <a href="https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/models-and-research/gemini-models/introducing-gemini-4-argon/">https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/models-and-research/gemini-models/introducing-gemini-4-argon/</a>
 
OpenAI math results GitHub repository: <a href="https://github.com/openai/math/tree/main">https://github.com/openai/math/tree/main</a>
"100+ reactions to 100+ solutions" on Proofs and Prompts: <a href="https://proofsandprompts.com/2026/10/08/100-reactions-to-100-solutions/">https://proofsandprompts.com/2026/10/08/100-reactions-to-100-solutions/</a>
 
White House Executive Order on Super Intelligence: <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/inaugurating-the-era-of-super-intelligence/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/inaugurating-the-era-of-super-intelligence/</a>
White House Accord on Super Intelligence: <a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/white-house-accord-super-intelligence">https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/white-house-accord-super-intelligence</a>
Letter by three fired OpenAI employees: <a href="https://mikitabalesni.com/letter/letter.pdf">https://mikitabalesni.com/letter/letter.pdf</a>
 
Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology vs. OpenAI: <a href="https://lasst.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/LASST-v.-OpenAI-Complaint-09.29.2026-AS-FILED.pdf">https://lasst.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/LASST-v.-OpenAI-Complaint-09.29.2026-AS-FILED.pdf</a>
California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act: <a href="https://www.calpers.ca.gov/documents/ca-penal-code-502/download">https://www.calpers.ca.gov/documents/ca-penal-code-502/download</a>
California Assembly Bill No. 316: <a href="https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260ab316">https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260ab316</a>
 
"AI models may be capable of self-replicating without access to a datacenter" by Anthropic: <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/research/self-replicating-ai">https://www.anthropic.com/research/self-replicating-ai</a>

In this episode, Aalok and Nicole unpack OpenAI's latest math proof drop before diving into the White House's first policy actions in the "SI" era. They cover the (voluntary?) Accord on Super Intelligence signed by all the major industry players and discuss what listeners can expect from Trump's new Super Intelligence Force. *This episode was recorded at 2:00 pm ET on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.* Timestamps: 00:39 Model release updates + OpenAI/Anthropic price war 7:48 New math results from OpenAI 21:42 Tech leaders sign Accord on Super Intelligence 34:02 Trump's new Super Intelligence task force 43:40 Nonprofit sues OpenAI over Hugging Face hack Additional Reading: "Introducing GPT-6 Sol and Luna" by OpenAI: https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-6-sol-and-luna/ "Introducing Claude Opus 5.5" by Anthropic: https://www.anthropic.com/claude-opus-5-5 "GPT-6.1 Sol" by OpenAI: https://www.anthropic.com/claude-opus-5-5 "Claude Haiku 5.5" by Anthropic: https://www.anthropic.com/claude-haiku-5-5 "Introducing Muse Wonder and Muse Wonder Full: Frontier Models for Agents" by Meta: https://about.fb.com/news/2026/10/introducing-muse-wonder-models/ "Mark Zuckerberg says Meta has reached AI 'frontier'" by Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/fca23e77-be57-4d7e-ae61-74ff299e25cb "Gemini 4 Argon: Built to solve your hardest problems" by Google: https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/models-and-research/gemini-models/introducing-gemini-4-argon/ OpenAI math results GitHub repository: https://github.com/openai/math/tree/main "100+ reactions to 100+ solutions" on Proofs and Prompts: https://proofsandprompts.com/2026/10/08/100-reactions-to-100-solutions/ White House Executive Order on Super Intelligence: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/inaugurating-the-era-of-super-intelligence/ White House Accord on Super Intelligence: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/white-house-accord-super-intelligence Letter by three fired OpenAI employees: https://mikitabalesni.com/letter/letter.pdf Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology vs. OpenAI: https://lasst.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/LASST-v.-OpenAI-Complaint-09.29.2026-AS-FILED.pdf California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/documents/ca-penal-code-502/download California Assembly Bill No. 316: https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260ab316 "AI models may be capable of self-replicating without access to a datacenter" by Anthropic: https://www.anthropic.com/research/self-replicating-ai

In this episode, Aalok and Nicole unpack OpenAI's latest math proof drop before diving into the White House's first policy actions in the "SI" era. They cover the (voluntary?) Accord on Super Intelligence signed by all the major industry players and discuss what listeners can expect from Trump's new Super Intelligence Force.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
 
*This episode was recorded at 2:00 pm ET on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.*
&nbsp;
 
Timestamps:
 
00:39 Model release updates + OpenAI/Anthropic price war
7:48 New math results from OpenAI
21:42 Tech leaders sign Accord on Super Intelligence
34:02 Trump's new Super Intelligence task force
43:40 Nonprofit sues OpenAI over Hugging Face hack
&nbsp;
Additional Reading:
 
"Introducing GPT-6 Sol and Luna" by OpenAI: <a href="https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-6-sol-and-luna/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-6-sol-and-luna/</a>
"Introducing Claude Opus 5.5" by Anthropic: <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/claude-opus-5-5" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.anthropic.com/claude-opus-5-5</a>
"GPT-6.1 Sol" by OpenAI: <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/claude-opus-5-5" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.anthropic.com/claude-opus-5-5</a>
"Claude Haiku 5.5" by Anthropic: <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/claude-haiku-5-5" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.anthropic.com/claude-haiku-5-5</a>
"Introducing Muse Wonder and Muse Wonder Full: Frontier Models for Agents" by Meta: <a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2026/10/introducing-muse-wonder-models/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://about.fb.com/news/2026/10/introducing-muse-wonder-models/</a>
"Mark Zuckerberg says Meta has reached AI 'frontier'" by Financial Times: <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/fca23e77-be57-4d7e-ae61-74ff299e25cb" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.ft.com/content/fca23e77-be57-4d7e-ae61-74ff299e25cb</a>
"Gemini 4 Argon: Built to solve your hardest problems" by Google: <a href="https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/models-and-research/gemini-models/introducing-gemini-4-argon/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/models-and-research/gemini-models/introducing-gemini-4-argon/</a>
 
OpenAI math results GitHub repository: <a href="https://github.com/openai/math/tree/main" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://github.com/openai/math/tree/main</a>
"100+ reactions to 100+ solutions" on Proofs and Prompts: <a href="https://proofsandprompts.com/2026/10/08/100-reactions-to-100-solutions/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://proofsandprompts.com/2026/10/08/100-reactions-to-100-solutions/</a>
 
White House Executive Order on Super Intelligence: <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/inaugurating-the-era-of-super-intelligence/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/inaugurating-the-era-of-super-intelligence/</a>
White House Accord on Super Intelligence: <a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/white-house-accord-super-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/white-house-accord-super-intelligence</a>
Letter by three fired OpenAI employees: <a href="https://mikitabalesni.com/letter/letter.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://mikitabalesni.com/letter/letter.pdf</a>
 
Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology vs. OpenAI: <a href="https://lasst.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/LASST-v.-OpenAI-Complaint-09.29.2026-AS-FILED.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://lasst.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/LASST-v.-OpenAI-Complaint-09.29.2026-AS-FILED.pdf</a>
California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act: <a href="https://www.calpers.ca.gov/documents/ca-penal-code-502/download" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.calpers.ca.gov/documents/ca-penal-code-502/download</a>
California Assembly Bill No. 316: <a href="https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260ab316" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260ab316</a>
 
"AI models may be capable of self-replicating without access to a datacenter" by Anthropic: <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/research/self-replicating-ai" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.anthropic.com/research/self-replicating-ai</a>

Trump Launches Super Intelligence Force + OpenAI Does More Math

This week, Aalok and Nicole discuss new reports of rogue AI agents on the open internet – including the first known case of an agent hacking a government system – and the lackluster outcome of last week's highly anticipated U.S.-China summit. Plus, the Trump Administration and frontier lab CEOs present contrasting visions for AI governance at the UN General Assembly, and states continue to pass new regulation on both AI models and the data center buildout.
 
*Disclaimer: this episode was recorded prior to a <a href="https://lasst.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/LASST-v.-OpenAI-Complaint-09.29.2026-AS-FILED.pdf">complaint</a> filed against OpenAI Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco's Superior Court by Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology, citing California's Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act and Unfair Competition Law.
 
Timestamps:
OpenAI agents hack Australian government site (1:02)
Axios reports frontier labs facing "tens of thousands" of AI cyber incidents (7:48)
Last week's U.S.-China summit (17:13)
Remarks by heads of state at UNGA (21:26)
Trump to appoint AI czar, establish AI Force (30:03)
Updated court ruling on Anthropic vs. DOD (35:27)
New data center directives in Texas, Virginia (38:30)
California regulation updates (44:52)
 
Additional Reading:
 
“Scoop: Top AI companies probing tens of thousands of security incidents” by Axios: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/26/openai-anthropic-thousands-ai-security-incidents">https://www.axios.com/2026/09/26/openai-anthropic-thousands-ai-security-incidents</a>
 
“Sam Altman’s remarks at the United Nations Security Council” by OpenAI: <a href="https://openai.com/index/sam-altman-un-security-council-remarks/">https://openai.com/index/sam-altman-un-security-council-remarks/</a>
 
Florida Office of the Attorney General vs. OpenAI: <a href="https://www.myfloridalegal.com/sites/default/files/openai-filed-stamped-complaint.pdf">https://www.myfloridalegal.com/sites/default/files/openai-filed-stamped-complaint.pdf</a>
 
“OpenAI Scraps Release of New AI Model Over Safety Concerns” by The Wall Street Journal: <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/openai-chatgpt-model-release-cancel-safety-5a2f9f42">https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/openai-chatgpt-model-release-cancel-safety-5a2f9f42</a>
 
White House Executive Order "Streamlining Access To Government Services Through America.gov" <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/streamlining-access-to-government-services-through-america-gov/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/streamlining-access-to-government-services-through-america-gov/</a>
 
Federal court ruling on Anthropic vs. DOD: <a href="https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/opinions/docs/2026/09/26-1049-2194984.pdf">https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/opinions/docs/2026/09/26-1049-2194984.pdf</a>
 
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's data center directive: <a href="https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/TCEQ_Data_Center.pdf">https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/TCEQ_Data_Center.pdf</a>
 
Virginia Executive Order: <a href="https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/eo/eo-22-establishing-va-data-center-accountability-and-ai-initiatives.pdf">https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/eo/eo-22-estab…</a>
 
California Executive Order: <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf">https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf</a>
 
CA Senate Bill No. 813: <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB813">https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB813</a><a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB813"> Text - SB-813 Independent verification organizations.</a>

This week, Aalok and Nicole discuss new reports of rogue AI agents on the open internet – including the first known case of an agent hacking a government system – and the lackluster outcome of last week's highly anticipated U.S.-China summit. Plus, the Trump Administration and frontier lab CEOs present contrasting visions for AI governance at the UN General Assembly, and states continue to pass new regulation on both AI models and the data center buildout. *Disclaimer: this episode was recorded prior to a complaint filed against OpenAI Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco's Superior Court by Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology, citing California's Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act and Unfair Competition Law. Timestamps: OpenAI agents hack Australian government site (1:02) Axios reports frontier labs facing "tens of thousands" of AI cyber incidents (7:48) Last week's U.S.-China summit (17:13) Remarks by heads of state at UNGA (21:26) Trump to appoint AI czar, establish AI Force (30:03) Updated court ruling on Anthropic vs. DOD (35:27) New data center directives in Texas, Virginia (38:30) California regulation updates (44:52) Additional Reading: “Scoop: Top AI companies probing tens of thousands of security incidents” by Axios: https://www.axios.com/2026/09/26/openai-anthropic-thousands-ai-security-incidents “Sam Altman’s remarks at the United Nations Security Council” by OpenAI: https://openai.com/index/sam-altman-un-security-council-remarks/ Florida Office of the Attorney General vs. OpenAI: https://www.myfloridalegal.com/sites/default/files/openai-filed-stamped-complaint.pdf “OpenAI Scraps Release of New AI Model Over Safety Concerns” by The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/openai-chatgpt-model-release-cancel-safety-5a2f9f42 White House Executive Order "Streamlining Access To Government Services Through America.gov" https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/streamlining-access-to-government-services-through-america-gov/ Federal court ruling on Anthropic vs. DOD: https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/opinions/docs/2026/09/26-1049-2194984.pdf Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's data center directive: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/TCEQ_Data_Center.pdf Virginia Executive Order: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/eo/eo-22-estab… California Executive Order: https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf CA Senate Bill No. 813: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB813 Text - SB-813 Independent verification organizations.

This week, Aalok and Nicole discuss new reports of rogue AI agents on the open internet – including the first known case of an agent hacking a government system – and the lackluster outcome of last week's highly anticipated U.S.-China summit. Plus, the Trump Administration and frontier lab CEOs present contrasting visions for AI governance at the UN General Assembly, and states continue to pass new regulation on both AI models and the data center buildout.
 
*Disclaimer: this episode was recorded prior to a <a href="https://lasst.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/LASST-v.-OpenAI-Complaint-09.29.2026-AS-FILED.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">complaint</a> filed against OpenAI Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco's Superior Court by Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology, citing California's Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act and Unfair Competition Law.
&nbsp;
Timestamps:
OpenAI agents hack Australian government site (1:02)
Axios reports frontier labs facing "tens of thousands" of AI cyber incidents (7:48)
Last week's U.S.-China summit (17:13)
Remarks by heads of state at UNGA (21:26)
Trump to appoint AI czar, establish AI Force (30:03)
Updated court ruling on Anthropic vs. DOD (35:27)
New data center directives in Texas, Virginia (38:30)
California regulation updates (44:52)
&nbsp;
Additional Reading:
&nbsp;
“Scoop: Top AI companies probing tens of thousands of security incidents” by Axios: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/26/openai-anthropic-thousands-ai-security-incidents" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.axios.com/2026/09/26/openai-anthropic-thousands-ai-security-incidents</a>
&nbsp;
“Sam Altman’s remarks at the United Nations Security Council” by OpenAI: <a href="https://openai.com/index/sam-altman-un-security-council-remarks/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://openai.com/index/sam-altman-un-security-council-remarks/</a>
&nbsp;
Florida Office of the Attorney General vs. OpenAI: <a href="https://www.myfloridalegal.com/sites/default/files/openai-filed-stamped-complaint.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.myfloridalegal.com/sites/default/files/openai-filed-stamped-complaint.pdf</a>
&nbsp;
“OpenAI Scraps Release of New AI Model Over Safety Concerns” by The Wall Street Journal: <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/openai-chatgpt-model-release-cancel-safety-5a2f9f42" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/openai-chatgpt-model-release-cancel-safety-5a2f9f42</a>
&nbsp;
White House Executive Order "Streamlining Access To Government Services Through America.gov" <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/streamlining-access-to-government-services-through-america-gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/streamlining-access-to-government-services-through-america-gov/</a>
&nbsp;
Federal court ruling on Anthropic vs. DOD: <a href="https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/opinions/docs/2026/09/26-1049-2194984.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/opinions/docs/2026/09/26-1049-2194984.pdf</a>
&nbsp;
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's data center directive: <a href="https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/TCEQ_Data_Center.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/TCEQ_Data_Center.pdf</a>
&nbsp;
Virginia Executive Order: <a href="https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/eo/eo-22-establishing-va-data-center-accountability-and-ai-initiatives.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/eo/eo-22-estab…</a>
&nbsp;
California Executive Order: <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/FINAL-N-9-26-AI-EO-9.18.26-SIGNED.pdf</a>
&nbsp;
CA Senate Bill No. 813: <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB813" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB813</a><a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB813" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Text - SB-813 Independent verification organizations.</a>

OpenAI Agents Hack Australian Government and Trump Rejects Global Governance at UNGA

On this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, we discuss the release of OpenAI's Sora tool (0:35), its implications for media (4:10), the risks associated with the model (7:05), and what it all means for elections (18:33) and copyright (22:17).

On this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, we discuss the release of OpenAI's Sora tool (0:35), its implications for media (4:10), the risks associated with the model (7:05), and what it all means for elections (18:33) and copyright (22:17).

OpenAI Releases Sora

On this episode, we discuss the most recent E.U. AI Act milestone (1:19), the latest from the AI chip war (12:23), and U.S.-China AI safety dialogues (22:15).

On this episode, we discuss the most recent E.U. AI Act milestone (1:19), the latest from the AI chip war (12:23), and U.S.-China AI safety dialogues (22:15).

E.U. AI Act Recap, Chip War Update, and U.S.-China AI Safety Dialogues

On this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, we discuss global technology competition with Senators Michael Bennet and Todd Young.

On this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, we discuss global technology competition with Senators Michael Bennet and Todd Young.

On this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, we discuss global technology competition with&nbsp;Senators Michael Bennet and Todd Young.

Global Technology Competition in the Age of AI

On this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, we discuss our outlook for AI in 2024.

On this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, we discuss our outlook for AI in 2024.

On this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, we discuss our outlook for AI in 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;

AI 2024 Outlook

On the first episode of the AI Policy Podcast, listen to our 2023 AI year in review. Learn about the biggest developments, newest policies, and our responses to it all.

On the first episode of the AI Policy Podcast, listen to our 2023 AI year in review. Learn about the biggest developments, newest policies, and our responses to it all.

On the first episode of the AI Policy Podcast, listen to our 2023 AI year in review. Learn about the biggest developments, newest policies, and our responses to it all.&nbsp;

AI 2023 Year in Review

Join CSIS's Aalok Mehta, Director of the Wadhwani AI Center, on a deep dive into the world of AI policy. Every Thursday, tune in for insightful discussions covering AI regulation, economic impacts, national security, geopolitics, and more. CSIS is a bipartisan think tank in Washington, D.C.



The AI Policy Podcast is produced by Cera Baker, Nicole Errera, and Chris Gorin.

News

Technology

Government

Tech News

Join CSIS's Aalok Mehta, Director of the Wadhwani AI Center, on a deep dive into the world of AI policy. Every Thursday, tune in for insightful discussions covering AI regulation, economic impacts, national security, geopolitics, and more. CSIS is a bipartisan think tank in Washington, D.C. The AI Policy Podcast is produced by Cera Baker, Nicole Errera, and Chris Gorin.

Share The AI Policy Podcast

Sign up to save your podcasts

The AI Policy Podcast

The AI Policy Podcast episodes

About The AI Policy Podcast

Best of The AI Policy Podcast

More shows like The AI Policy Podcast

The Truth of the Matter

Odd Lots

Foreign Policy Live

Russian Roulette

Sinica Podcast

ChinaPower

The President’s Inbox

This Does Not Compute

ChinaTalk

GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

The Trade Guys

Net Assessment

AIDS' Existential Moment

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Defense 2020

Irregular Warfare Podcast

Theories of Change

Pekingology

Hard Fork

Global Security Briefing

49

The Big Take

Intersections: Where Human Rights and Democracy Meet

The Foreign Affairs Interview

Industrynama

Driving Impact

NatSec Matters

New Shores

It's More Than Grit

Echonomics

State of Play

The Last Line of Defense

Cache Me If You Can