J.B. Branch Selected for Council on Foreign Relations’ Stephen M. Kellen Term Member Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. — J.B. Branch, technology policy and AI governance counsel at Public Citizen, has been selected to the Council on Foreign Relations’ Stephen M. Kellen Term Member Program in recognition of his leadership at the intersection of technology policy, artificial intelligence governance, democracy, and public-interest advocacy.
“I am deeply honored to be selected to the Council on Foreign Relations’ Stephen M. Kellen Term Member Program and grateful to the mentors, colleagues, and recommenders who supported my application,” said J.B. Branch, Public Citizen’s AI governance and technology policy counsel. “Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the defining challenges and opportunities of our time, shaping not only the future of our economy and society, but increasingly influencing international affairs, national security, and geopolitical competition. At the same time, AI is setting much of the domestic policy agenda in Washington. Our research at Public Citizen has found that roughly one in four lobbyists in Washington now works on AI-related issues, underscoring the technology’s growing influence on Capitol Hill. As these debates continue, it is essential that conversations about innovation are matched by conversations about democracy, accountability, consumer protection, and the public interest.”