Michael C. Horowitz

Michael C. Horowitz is the Richard Perry Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania and Director of Perry World House. He also serves as a Senior Fellow for Technology and Innovation at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Previously, he held roles in the U.S. Department of Defense, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Development and Emerging Capabilities. His research focuses on the intersection of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, robotics) with global politics, military innovation, leader decision-making, and geopolitical forecasting. He holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University (Government) and a B.A. from Emory University (Political Science).

Key contributions include award-winning work on military technology diffusion, such as The Diffusion of Military Power, and analyses of AI’s impact on international security. He has published in top journals and outlets like International Security and Foreign Affairs. His research highlights ethical, strategic, and governance challenges posed by autonomous weapons systems, precision strike technologies, and AI-driven decision-making in defense contexts.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Government, Harvard University
  • B.A. in Political Science, Emory University
• Leadership Roles:
  • Director, Perry World House
  • Senior Fellow, CFR
• Awards:
  • Karl Deutsch Award (International Studies Association)
• Current Projects:
  • AI governance frameworks
  • Nuclear deterrence in the AI era
  • Global drone proliferation dynamics

His work bridges academic rigor and policy relevance, advising governments on integrating emerging technologies into defense strategies while mitigating risks of destabilization and ethical dilemmas.