Hodan Omaar
Hodan Omaar is a senior policy manager focusing on AI policy at ITIF’s Center for Data Innovation. Previously, she worked as a senior consultant on technology and risk management in London and as a crypto-economist in Berlin. She has an M.A. in economics and mathematics from the University of Edinburgh.
Recent Publications
For Trump, Delivering for Voters Means Delivering on AI
If President-elect Trump wants AI to be a meaningful part of his legacy, he’ll need to focus on delivering the promise of his 2019 initiative, which pledged “AI for the American people.” That will require a clear agenda to accelerate adoption, prioritize innovation, and ensure the diffusion of AI’s benefits across the entire country.
California’s AI Transparency Law Is a Misstep Other States Should Avoid
California often sets the tone for national policy, but the recently passed AI Transparency Act (SB 942) is an example of what not to do.
Comments to the Bureau of Industry and Security's Proposed Rule to Establish AI Reporting Requirements
To avoid disadvantaging and stifling open-source AI, BIS should consider adjustments of reporting for open-source models, allowing for the continued growth of innovation while ensuring the necessary security oversight.
California Legislators Are Not Equipped to Rework Their AI Law
Legislators currently lack the necessary information about how harms from AI systems may materialize and evolve in the real world to design truly effective regulations.
Comments to the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources on Proposed Mandatory Guardrails for AI
Instead of focusing on imposing AI-specific guardrails, Australia’s regulatory framework should prioritize mechanisms for accountability, transparency, and traceability in decision-making processes, particularly within the public sector.
The United States Should Seize Global AI Stage in California to Shift Gears to Post-Deployment Safety
Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of California’s AI safety bill (SB 1047) was a sensible move, but a deeper issue remains unresolved. A fundamental flaw of the bill lies in its approach to AI safety: it attempts to identify risky systems based solely on assessments made before deployment.
Europe Should Tap Switzerland to Unlock LLM Innovation in the Continent
As the United States commands the field with English-language large language models (LLMs) and China climbs the ranks to secure the lead in models for Chinese-language tasks, Europe is barely in the game when it comes to mastering models for its own languages.
How Innovative Is China in Quantum?
China’s lead in quantum communications is undeniable, but its overall quantum prowess is limited; without computing breakthroughs, the United States still holds the upper hand.
Comments to AISI on Managing Misuse Risk for Dual-Use Foundation Models
The Center for Data Innovation submitted comments to the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI) on its draft guidelines, Managing Misuse Risk for Dual-Use Foundation Models (NIST AI 800-1).
How Innovative Is China in AI?
China’s relentless drive and strategic investments in AI suggest it is only a matter of time before it catches up—if not surpasses—the United States’ early lead.
Labour Should Prioritize Spreading Innovation To Succeed Where the Conservatives Fell Short
Labour aims to revive the UK’s economy by focusing on spreading innovation across all sectors, addressing the nation's productivity challenges through practical measures. By building on existing projects and ensuring the adoption of new technologies, particularly in both high-tech and low-tech sectors, Labour can deliver visible results and drive meaningful growth across the country.
Comments to the US Department of Justice Antitrust Division Regarding Promoting Competition in AI
The AI industry is highly dynamic and competitive, allowing new companies to rise to prominence and challenge established leaders. This ongoing process fosters strong competition at various levels of the AI stack, ensuring a healthy and innovative market.
Recent Events and Presentations
The Worst Tech Policies of 2024: How the New Administration and Congress Can Turn the Page
Please join ITIF for a virtual panel discussion with technology policy experts who will highlight and critique the most counterproductive tech policies of the past year, and consider how the incoming administration and Congress can turn the page.
The Economic Potential of Artificial Intelligence
Hodan Omaar speaks about the economic potential of AI in the United States at a panel discussion hosted by Microsoft.
How Policymakers Should Navigate Tensions in Global AI Governance
Watch now for a timely discussion by The Center for Data Innovation and The Asia Group on how AI governance is unfolding globally, the key tensions shaping global regulations, and what these developments mean in the United States, the Indo-Pacific, and beyond.
Central EU Lawyers Initiative on Competitiveness
Hodan Omaar speaks at the Central European Initiative's panel event on EU competitiveness in Vienna.
How Can Policymakers Address AI Voice-Cloning Scams?
Watch now for a panel discussion exploring how threats from AI voice cloning are likely to develop, what countermeasures exist, and actionable steps policymakers can take to address both national and international threats.
AI and Creativity at the 20th Annual State of the Net
Hodan Omaar speaks at the 2024 State of the Net Conference on a panel about artificial intelligence and creativity in the arts.
FP Tech Forum @ UNGA78
Hodan Omaar speaks at Foreign Policy's FP Tech Forum during the 78th annual UN General Assembly. She joins an expert panel to explore how technologies are shaping geopolitics and development around the world.
Artificial Intelligence & Innovation: AI Use Cases Across Sectors
Gillian Diebold and Hodan Omaar speak about artificial intelligence and how it will impact different sectors of society at a webinar hosted by the Internet Law & Policy Foundry.
What Should Congress Include in The Next National Quantum Initiative Act?
Watch the panel discussion on what the NQIA got right, where there is room for improvement, and what policymakers should do next.
Where Should US AI Policy Be Headed Next?
Watch ITIF's Center for Data Innovation's panel discussion on the impact and efficacy of AI policy to date. Experts will debate on how policymakers can best nurture the capabilities and activities of the U.S. AI ecosystem moving forward.
Government Perspective: Deepfakes and Restoring Trust Online
Hodan Omaar speaks at Microsoft Innovation and Policy Center's event emphasizing the importance that policymakers ensure to internationalize efforts to mitigate harm from deepfakes and disinformation as malign information campaigns are increasingly targeting non-English speakers and immigrant communities.
Should the EU Regulate General-Purpose AI Systems?
Watch the Center for Data Innovation's discussion on the proposed amendments to the EU’s AI Act for general-purpose systems and its implications for AI development, innovation, and deployment in the EU and beyond.