Martin Makaryan
Research Assistant, Digital Policy
Martin Makaryan is a research assistant specializing in digital policy. Makaryan is a current master's student at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University where he specializes in security and strategy, with a focus on the intersection of security, policy, and emerging technologies. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Global Studies from UCLA and previously worked in government affairs and policy research in California both in the non-profit and government sectors. His academic and professional interests include the impact of innovation and technology on foreign policy and national security policy, as well as automation and AI, cybersecurity, and digital policy.
Recent Publications
Denying Copyright for AI-Assisted Art Threatens Innovation
Jason M. Allen, an artist whose AI-generated image won a digital art competition prize in 2022, recently sued the U.S. Copyright Office for rejecting his application for copyright of the image. In its refusal to grant copyright protection to Allen’s work—which he created using 624 prompts on the generative AI platform Midjourney—the Copyright Office argued that the artist’s creative process to generate the award-winning image did not meet the criteria for “human authorship as we understand it.”
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.
Policymakers Should Capitalize on Positive Public Opinion To Promote Beneficial AI Use
Critics highlight AI’s disruptive potential, citing concerns like bioterrorism and language loss. However, data shows Americans are generally more optimistic about AI’s benefits, suggesting policymakers should use this positive outlook to support AI in promising areas.
The Shift in Rhetoric on AI and Biothreats Is a Lesson on the Risks of Premature Regulation
The about-face the scientific, academic, and tech communities have made on the risks of large language models (LLMs) creating biothreats should serve as a stark reminder for policymakers about the pitfalls of premature regulation.
