Dr. Eric Schmidt has launched a new initiative called the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) that will make recommendations to strengthen America’s long-term global competitiveness for a future where AI and other emerging technologies reshape our national security, economy, and society.

Headed by Schmidt, the SCSP will have a bipartisan board of national security leaders. Schmidt will be joined by Robert Work, former Deputy Secretary of Defense and National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) Co-Chair; Nadia Schadlow, former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy; Michèle Flournoy, former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy; and William McClellan “Mac” Thornberry, former Congressman and Chair of the House Armed Services Committee to lead the effort. Ylli Bajraktari will serve as the Chief Executive Officer.

The SCSP is inspired by the Rockefeller Special Studies Project (SSP), launched in 1956 by Nelson Rockefeller and led by Henry Kissinger.

“No serious nation can ignore the impacts of emerging technologies on all aspects of our national life. Our government cannot be a passive actor, but it needs help. For this reason, I am starting the SCSP to study these critical issues alongside my friends and colleagues — Bob, Michèle, Nadia, Mac — whom I respect enormously. And I cannot think of anyone better to lead this effort on our behalf than Ylli Bajraktari, and he is building a world-class team to address all these challenges,” said Schmidt.