Politics of AI Governance Lab

Mission

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming society. Individuals, companies, and governments are integrating AI into many aspects of daily life, and if AI companies reach artificial general intelligence (AGI) in the near future, this process is likely to accelerate exponentially. Although history shows us that great technological leaps forward create new types of risks and vulnerabilities, policymakers have struggled govern AI at the domestic and international levels.

Launched in Fall 2025, the Politics of AI Governance (PAIG) lab explores the political context of AI governance. The lab is designed to advance policy-relevant research on this topic and to support junior scholars interested in launching research projects related to AI governance. Prospective UCSB PhD students and current UCSB undergraduate students interested in joining the lab should contact Professor Morse directly.

Professor Julia Morse is an expert on global governance and has consulted on the governance of AI since October 2023. She has provided advice to technology companies, governments, international organizations, and non-profits, and given several public talks on this subject. In early 2025, she spent six months at the AI Governance Initiative at the Oxford Martin School as part of a Council on Foreign Relations IAF.