Aspen Policy Academy

We’re pleased to release 5 new policy projects from our 2026 Science and Technology Policy Fellows and alumni community which are debuting tonight at our Demo Day in Washington, DC. Our 8th Fellowship cohort spent the summer in intensive policy training, then worked remotely with Policy Academy mentors to refine policy solutions to challenges nationwide. Meanwhile, 2 alumni teams joined forces to tackle new challenges for the states of Georgia and Virginia. Read below to learn more about their projects addressing tough issues in artificial intelligence (AI) governance, cybersecurity, and digital estate planning:

Centralizing Texas’ AI Evaluation Processes

By Tiffani Martin

Texas is expanding its AI use across state agencies, but separate teams review AI accessibility, cybersecurity, and governance under different rules, which can lead to conflicting guidance. This project recommends that the Texas Department of Information Resources adopt the Coordinated AI Requirements Playbook to streamline these review processes into 1 comprehensive assessment before approving and adopting new AI tools. By identifying final decisionmakers and setting shared approval standards, the playbook would help ensure state AI tools are accessible and secure for all Texans.

Equipping Estate Planners to Guide Digital Asset Management

By Jenny Tang

Despite financial accounts, sentimental records, and sensitive information increasingly living online, estate planners lack the resources to help clients pass down their digital estates. This project recommends that estate planners make digital asset planning a standard part of their practice, using resources like checklists of the information that heirs need to access online accounts and a workbook to help clients define their digital asset goals. Together, these resources would reduce stress for heirs and help estate planners develop informed plans for digital estates alongside physical assets.

Implementing a Public AI Accountability Framework in New York City

By Addie Achan and Rebecca Odim

While New York City is in the process of broadening its AI use across municipal agencies, residents impacted by AI systems may not be regularly involved in deciding how these tools are used. This project recommends that the City’s Office of Algorithmic Accountability adopt the Public Accountability for Community Trusted AI Playbook to collect community input before decisions are made, translate the feedback into evaluation metrics, and report findings back to residents. This framework would help build trust and ensure the City’s AI decisions reflect community needs.

Securing Virginia’s Operational Technology from Cyberattacks

By Christian Crumlish, Guillermo Fisher, Colin Jenkel, and Nick Kotakis

AI is making it easier for bad actors to hack operational technology (OT), the computer systems that run water treatment, traffic signals, and other critical infrastructure. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency confirmed more than 100 cyberattacks on community water systems in July 2026 alone. This project recommends that the Commonwealth of Virginia expand its existing OT security certification and centralize its security efforts across the state. These steps would protect the systems Virginians rely on and set an example for other states looking to strengthen their OT cybersecurity. 

Using Automated Tools To Update State AI Policies

By Erika Cheung, Amy Koo, Jordan Loewen-Colón, and Kash Sridhar

State governments are struggling to keep their AI policies current with rapidly evolving technology and new regulations. Using Georgia as a prototype, this project recommends that states adopt a semiautomated review system built around the new Comparative Oversight and Monitoring of Policy Across States and Sectors tool, which compares a state’s AI policies to leading regulations, proposes updates, and drafts sample language. By automating the AI policy monitoring and review process, governments could more efficiently analyze and update their AI policies without burdening government officials, and ultimately better serve their constituents.