InfoBytes Blog
U.S. Attorney General taps professor to lead new technology-focused roles
On February 22, the U.S. Attorney General, Merrick B. Garland, announced that he tapped Jonathan Mayer to head the DOJ’s first Chief Science and Technology Advisory and Chief Artificial Intelligence (AI) Officer roles. The roles are housed in the DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy which is developing a team of technical and policy experts in technology-related areas important to the Department’s responsibilities. These topics include cybersecurity and AI with the aim to advise leadership and collaborate with other components across the Department and with federal partners on cutting-edge technological issues. As the first Chief Science and Technology Advisor, Mayer will contribute technical expertise on cybersecurity, AI, and emergent technology matters.
The Chief AI Officer role was created pursuant to a presidential executive order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. In this role, Mayer will work on intra-departmental and cross-agency efforts on AI and adjacent issues, and he will also lead the Justice Department’s newly established Emerging Technology Board, which coordinates and governs AI and other emerging technologies across the Department.
Mayer has a PhD in computer science from Stanford University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. Mayer is an assistant professor at Princeton University’s Department of Computer Science and School of Public and International Affairs where his research is focused on the intersection of technology, policy, and law with an emphasis in criminal procedure, national security, and consumer protection.