The Next Frontier Seminar’s Winter Research Colloquium Showcases Student-Led Innovation in Tech-Security
Palo Alto, CA – January 10, 2025 – Against the backdrop of Silicon Valley’s vibrant tech landscape, students and faculty from Stanford, Yale, and Oxford gathered at Palantir’s Palo Alto headquarters and Stanford University’s Hoover Institution for the Winter Research Colloquium, hosted by The Next Frontier Seminar (NFS). This dynamic event served as a catalyst for intellectual exchange, where emerging scholars shared their research and engaged in thought-provoking discussions with some of the foremost experts in technology and security.
NFS 2024-25Student Teams at Stanford University
The colloquium highlighted a diverse range of student-led research projects tackling some of today’s most pressing global challenges. Stanford researchers explored maritime satellite reliability in the South China Sea, while their counterparts at Oxford examined the legal risks posed by language models in military decision-making. Yale students contributed three distinct projects, investigating data protectionism through China’s data localization framework, addressing supply chain chokepoints in the U.S. semiconductor assembly, test, and packaging (ATP) sector, and analyzing the trajectory and challenges of international data center development.
Invaluable insights and feedback came from an esteemed roster of distinguished practitioners and scholars. Among them were John Deutch, former Director of the CIA; Admiral Jim Ellis, former Commander of U.S. STRATCOM; Philip Wong, Chief Scientist of TSMC; Alan Weston, former Director of Programs at NASA Ames Research Center; and Chris Schroeder, Chairman of the German Marshall Fund. Their expertise provided students with critical guidance and perspectives, enriching the depth and scope of their research.
Adding another layer of depth to the discussions, the event welcomed a delegation from Yale’s Schmidt Program on AI and National Power. Fresh from a tour of leading AI research institutions in the Bay Area, these students and professors brought unique perspectives on the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and national security. Their participation underscored the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex technological challenges.
Throughout the day, each research team delivered a 30-minute presentation, sparking robust discussions and receiving detailed, constructive feedback from experts. The exchange of ideas was not only intellectually stimulating but also instrumental in refining the students’ research trajectories. Over the coming months, these teams will further develop their findings, preparing to present their final analyses to senior policymakers in Washington, D.C., this spring. Their work will also be shared through academic publications and broader media outlets, ensuring that their insights reach a wider audience.
The Next Frontier Seminar remains steadfast in its mission to foster academic excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful engagement with policymakers. By equipping the next generation of scholars with the knowledge, mentorship, and networks needed to address the world’s most complex challenges, the program continues to shape the future of technology and security research.
