Bret Schafer on AI

Bret Schafer is the Senior Director of Policy and Research for Information Operations at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). A leading expert in state-backed information operations and tech policy, he specializes in tracking foreign manipulation, coordinated inauthentic behavior, and the use of AI in online warfare.

Previously, he served as a Senior Fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, where he created the Hamilton 2.0 dashboard to track Russian, Chinese, and Iranian state messaging. He regularly advises governments and international organizations, and his expert commentary is frequently featured in major outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN.

Bret holds a Master’s in Public Diplomacy from USC and a B.S. from Northwestern University. Beyond his national security work, he brings a uniquely global perspective shaped by his past experiences as an intern at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, a radio host in Budapest, and a semi-professional baseball player in Germany.

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