Kenton Thibaut
Chicago,IL
Summary
Technology policy specialist advising on AI governance and data privacy, translating technical risk into actionable policy. Leads interdisciplinary teams supporting research programs from problem definition through implementation. Collaborates with stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society to inform decision-making.
Overview
1
1
Language
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Resident China Fellow and Head of China Research, Democracy + Tech Initiative
Atlantic Council
Washington, DC
01.2021 - Current
- Led research on China as the principal investigator for over ten multiyear projects focused on AI governance, cross-border data flows, and digital infrastructure.
- Co-lead a pharmaceutical company-backed project on health-data governance across China, the European Union, and the United States, examining effects on AI research, clinical collaboration, and commercial innovation.
- Track AI and data-policy developments across the United States, European Union, China, India, and Japan; assess implications for business strategy, AI deployment, and organizational risk.
- Analyze policy risks involving recommendation algorithms, personalized advertising, and data brokerage, including sensitive-data re-identification and TikTok's ownership and governance arrangements.
- Investigated the spread of COVID-19 conspiracy narratives through news syndication and social media in South Africa, tracing their sources and amplification across outlets.
- Briefed congressional staff, U.S. State Department officials, and European External Action Service officials on technology policy and information manipulation, enhancing understanding of critical issues.
- Convened Track 1.5 and Track 2 dialogues among government, industry, and civil society representatives from China, the United States, Europe, and the Global South, addressing policy challenges and formulating actionable recommendations.
- Managed interdisciplinary teams, coordinated research, publication, and stakeholder engagement across concurrent projects, and produced impactful reports and executive briefings for government and industry audiences.
- Concurrent appointment: Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Associate
GreenPoint Group
01.2018 - 01.2021
Special Assistant to the CEO
GreenPoint Group
01.2016 - 01.2017
Adjunct Professor, Security Studies Program
Georgetown University
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Co-designed and taught graduate seminar on China's technology ecosystem, foreign information manipulation, and emerging technologies, enhancing students' skills in policy analysis and executive briefing.
- Developed course materials and syllabi for diverse subjects.
- Facilitated engaging classroom discussions to enhance student learning.
- Evaluated student assignments and provided constructive feedback.
Research Associate, John L. Thornton China Center
Brookings Institution
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Researched Chinese political institutions, industrial policy, and technology modernization using Chinese-language sources; prepared memoranda that informed publications and shaped discussions at policy events.
- Collaborated with team members on data collection and analysis projects.
- Conducted literature reviews to support policy research initiatives.
- Assisted in developing research proposals for funding opportunities.
Education
PhD - Political Science
Georgetown University
Washington, DC11-2025
MA - International Economics and China Studies
Johns Hopkins SAIS
Washington, DC05-2016
BA - Political Science
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA05-2011
Skills
- Policy analysis
- Data policy analysis
- Regulatory monitoring
- Technology assessment
- Quantitative analysis using R
- Research methodology
- Project management
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Stakeholder engagement and mapping
- Executive briefing
- Data policy analysis
Certification
IAPP certifications in progress: Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP); Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM); Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT).
SKILLS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mandarin Chinese: professional proficiency; more than five years of residence, study, and research in mainland China and Taiwan.
FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
Boren National Security Fellowship | 2014–2015, Blakemore Freeman Fellowship | 2013–2014, Fulbright Fellowship | 2012–2013
Affiliations
- Policy Advisor, Biden-Harris Presidential Campaign, Emerging Technologies Working Group. Selected policy contribution: [specific example here].
- Atlantic Council Representative, Project Liberty Alliance | 2026–Present
- Invited Expert, G7 Rapid Response Mechanism
- Invited Expert, G7 AI for Everyone Working Group; authored a policy framework on infrastructure financing, governance alignment, and international standards.
- Term Member, Council on Foreign Relations | Class of 2024
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Thibaut, Kenton. Balancing Openness and Control: Cross-Border Health Data and AI Governance in China. Atlantic Council, June 23, 2026. 37 pp.
- Thibaut, Kenton. "TikTok's New Ownership Structure Doesn't Solve Security Concerns for Americans." The Atlanticist, January 27, 2026.
- Thibaut, Kenton. "The Need for Tech Regulation beyond U.S.-China Rivalry." Lawfare, January 24, 2025.
- Komaitis, Konstantinos, Esteban Ponce de León, Trisha Ray, Kenton Thibaut, and Kevin Klyman. "The Sovereignty Trap." The Atlanticist, July 26, 2024.
- Thibaut, Kenton. "Can China Swing Taiwan's Elections? Beijing Is Deploying Proxies and Disinformation, and Taipei Is Fighting Back." Foreign Affairs, January 12, 2024.
- Thibaut, Kenton. "China's COVID-19 Messaging Makes Its Way to South Africa." DFRLab, December 22, 2021.
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin)
Full Professional
Timeline
Adjunct Professor, Security Studies Program
Georgetown University
01.2022 - 01.2023
Senior Resident China Fellow and Head of China Research, Democracy + Tech Initiative
Atlantic Council
01.2021 - Current
Associate
GreenPoint Group
01.2018 - 01.2021
Special Assistant to the CEO
GreenPoint Group
01.2016 - 01.2017
Research Associate, John L. Thornton China Center
Brookings Institution
01.2015 - 01.2016
PhD - Political Science
Georgetown University
MA - International Economics and China Studies
Johns Hopkins SAIS
BA - Political Science
Louisiana State University