Grace Park

Grace Park is a visiting fellow in the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Their research focuses on the national security implications of AI, autonomy, and international compute governance.

Prior to joining CNAS, Park served as an AI policy advisor at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Policy, Office of Force Development and Emerging Capabilities, where they led the Department of Defense’s implementation of the AI Executive Order and advanced the Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of AI and Autonomy, and the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) defense and strategic partnership. They began their career as a U.S. Army signal officer, serving overseas tours in Djibouti, Tunisia, Italy, and the Republic of Korea. In 2018, they were appointed as the first female communications officer for the 1-187 Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division.

Park is a recipient of the Kilbourne Leadership Award from the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. Their writing has appeared in the Boston Globe and the Los Angeles Times and they have presented at the Pentagon, the National Security Agency, and other national security venues. Park holds an MPP from Harvard Kennedy School, where they were a Graham T. Allison Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and a Black Family Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership. They also hold a BA in Political Science and American Studies from Wellesley College, where they were the Class of 2016 Commencement Speaker and Council President.