Daniel Castro

Vice President, ITIF, and Director, Center for Data Innovation
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-626-5742
Twitter: @castrotech
Daniel Castro is vice president at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and director of ITIF's Center for Data Innovation.
Castro writes and speaks on a variety of issues related to information technology and internet policy, including privacy, security, intellectual property, Internet governance, e-government, and accessibility for people with disabilities. His work has been quoted and cited in numerous media outlets, including The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, USA Today, Bloomberg News, and Bloomberg Businessweek. In 2013, Castro was named to FedScoop’s list of the “top 25 most influential people under 40 in government and tech.” In 2015, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker appointed Castro to the Commerce Data Advisory Council.
Castro previously worked as an IT analyst at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) where he audited IT security and management controls at various government agencies. He contributed to GAO reports on the state of information security at a variety of federal agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, Castro was a visiting scientist at the Software Engineering Institute in Pittsburgh, PA, where he developed virtual training simulations to provide clients with hands-on training of the latest information security tools.
He has a B.S. in foreign service from Georgetown University and an M.S. in information security technology and management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Research Areas
Recent Publications
Comments to the Competition and Markets Authority on AI Foundation Models
On behalf of the Center for Data Innovation, the following are comments regarding the
Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) initial review of foundation models, their competitive
market and use cases, and principles that can guide their development and adoption.
The Meta Case: A Wake-Up Call for the Biden Administration to Safeguard Transatlantic Digital Trade and American Interests
The Biden administration needs to realize that unless it applies real pressure on the European Union (EU) to take action—and responsibility—for the way its regulators target U.S. firms with its data protection law, then its efforts to use the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to define its new approach to transatlantic digital trade will largely come to naught.
U.S. Policymakers Should Learn From Countries Choosing Not to Regulate AI
The list of U.S. policymakers calling for new laws to regulate AI is growing. And one reason they may take this position is because of how vocal European and Chinese policymakers have been about regulating AI, creating the false perception that new laws are necessary and inevitable. Meanwhile, lawmakers in the UK and India say they have no intention of proposing new legislation; U.S. policymakers should heed this alternative view.
Digital Equity 2.0: How to Close the Data Divide
Unlike the digital divide, many ignore the data divide or argue that the way to close it is to collect vastly less data. But without substantial efforts to increase data representation and access, certain individuals and communities will be left behind in an increasingly data-driven world.
Tech Panics, Generative AI, and the Need for Regulatory Caution
Exaggerated and misleading concerns about generative artificial intelligence have crowded out reasonable discussion about the technology, generating a familiar, yet unfortunate, “tech panic.”
Technology Investments Should Be a Priority in Rail Safety Act
Congress should include support for autonomous track geometry measurement system in the Railways Safety Act to prevent future accidents. By investing in the development and testing of innovative technologies, Congress can help ensure that the nation’s rail system is safe and reliable.
NFTs: US Policies and Priorities in 2023
Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, offer unique policy challenges. While the United States has taken some important steps to address the potential risks and benefits of the technology, there is more policymakers can do to protect consumers while encouraging innovation.
Labeling Incorrect AI Output as Deceptive Would Be Misguided Overreach by the FTC
Arguments that the FTC should consider GPT-4’s mistakes as unlawful deception are entirely misguided. There are plenty of legitimately deceptive practices in need of the FTC’s attention, but GPT-4 is not one of them.
Court’s Rejection of the Internet Archive’s Excuse For Pirating E-Books Is a Victory for Copyright
The court rightly refused to encourage or support the Internet Archive's blatant theft and violations of copyright protections in Hachette v. Internet Archive.
Canada’s Reasons for an AI Law Do Not Stand Up to Scrutiny
The Canadian government recently released a “companion document” providing more background on the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), its proposed legislation to regulate AI systems. While the government is still vague about the details of the new law, it clearly outlines its reasons for regulating AI. Unfortunately, every one of those reasons is based on flawed logic or simply wrong facts.
Critics of Generative AI Are Worrying About the Wrong IP Issues
Critics argue developers of generative AI systems such as ChatGPT and DALL-E have unfairly trained their models on copyrighted works. Those concerns are misguided.
Congress Needs to Understand How Online Ads Work to Pass Data Privacy Legislation
As Congress continues to debate federal data privacy legislation, it is important that it understands how online advertising works, so as not to unintentionally harm the Internet ecosystem.
Recent Events and Presentations
AR/VR Policy Conference 2023
Join the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and the XR Association for the third annual AR/VR Policy Conference. The event will feature a series of expert talks and panels discussing critical policy questions covering:
Does the US Need a New AI Regulator?
Join ITIF's Center for Data Innovation and R Street for a webinar to discuss the potential costs and benefits of creating a new AI regulator in the United States, the extent to which regulators can address AI risks today, and what additional tools or resources might be necessary to hold companies accountable for their use of AI.
Should AI Be Regulated?
Daniel Castro speaks about whether AI should be regulated at an event hosted by Broadband Breakfast and moderated by The Hill's Technology Policy Reporter Rebecca Klar.
The Importance of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council
Daniel Castro presents on the importance of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council at the Digital Croatia 2030 conference hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Croatia.
Malvertising: How Piracy Sites Use Malicious Ads to Infect Consumer Devices With Malware
Watch ITIF's panel discussion about the threat that malware in ads on piracy sites poses to consumers, the implications of these malicious ads for cybersecurity, and how the public and private sectors can address this issue. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Co-Chair of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, will provide keynote remarks.
Book Talk on “The Equality Machine” With Orly Lobel
Watch the conversation with Lobel, whose vivid examples—from labor markets to dating markets—provide powerful evidence for how we can harness technology for good.
Takshashila-Hudson Panel Discussion on 75 Years of India-US Partnership
Daniel Castro speaks on an online panel hosted by the Takshashila Institution and the Hudson Institute about opportunities to improve India-US relations on digital technology and trade.
Building the NIST AI Risk Management Framework
Daniel Castro moderates a panel on managing AI risks at the NIST AI Risk Management Framework Workshop #3.
Building the Optimal Business and Investment Environment for the Future Digital Ecosystem
Daniel Castro speaks on policy strategies to build the optimal digital ecosystem at a virtual bilateral event with Mexico on 5G and ICT networks organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
How Web 3.0 and Digital Assets Will Impact Global Trade and Investment
Daniel Castro speaks about how Web 3.0 and digital assets will impact global trade and investment at the Coalition of Service Industry's Global Services Summit.
Promoting Digital Exports From Bangladesh: What Role for Cross-Border Data Flows?
Daniel Castro addressed the topic of digital transformation and trade versus data protectionism at an event organized by the Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID).
AR/VR Policy Conference 2022
Join the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and the XR Association for the second annual AR/VR Policy Conference.