A handful of tech billionaires now wield outsized influence over the U.S. economy—and increasingly, over national security itself. This week, Elisa sits down with Justin Sherman, founder and CEO of Global Cyber Strategies and author of Navigating Technology and National Security, to unpack how advanced AI systems, high-powered chips, and global investment flows collide with U.S. security law. Using a provocative hypothetical, they explore the role of export controls, CFIUS, outbound investment screening, and bulk data regulations—and what happens when companies push right up against the boundaries of oversight.

Justin Sherman is the founder and CEO of Global Cyber Strategies, a Washington, DC-based research and advisory firm.

References:

• Sherman, Justin. Navigating Technology and National Security: The Intersection of CFIUS, Team Telecom, AI Controls, and Other Regulations. Wiley, 2025.
• McFaul, Cole, Sam Bresnick, and Daniel Chou. Pulling Back the Curtain on China’s Military-Civil Fusion: How the PLA Mobilizes Civilian AI for Strategic Advantage. Center for Security and Emerging Technology, September 2025. CSET