Hilal Aka

Hilal Aka is a Joseph S. Nye, Jr. Intern for the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).

She graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a double major in economics and mathematics. Her undergraduate research focused on the unintended consequences of policy interventions, and her thesis used a theoretical model to simulate the offsetting effects of pandemic policies. She previously worked as an economic consultant on antitrust and competition matters at Charles River Associates, where she produced economic analyses for the FTC, DOJ, and Big Tech.

She is pursuing a master in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School and a juris doctorate at Georgetown University, focusing on emerging technologies and national security. At Harvard, she served on the leadership board of W3D: Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development and conducted research at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government on the impact of EU technology regulations in the US.