Tech, Law, and Security Welcomes New Senior Fellow
New Senior Fellow Brings Years of Tech and Security Experience to Program
Students at American University Washington College of Law have the opportunity to learn from the best faculty in the country as well as a group of experienced Senior Fellows that provide unique perspectives from their experiences in various fields. The Tech, Law, and Security Program has added Peter Villano as a Senior Fellow. Villano has more than 25 years of military and government service, serving as a Naval Officer, a Program Manager at the Department of State, and a Professional Staff Member with the House Armed Services Committee.
At the Department of State, Villano oversaw foreign assistance programs in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa that supported U.S. foreign policy and National Security objectives. As a Professional Staff Member on the House Armed Services Committee, Villano worked on key legislation relating to quantum information science and artificial intelligence.
While working on the House Armed Services Committee, Villano helped create the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, assembling a team of technology experts to guide U.S. government strategy on Artificial Intelligence. The committee called for the United States to make substantive, multi-billion-dollar investments and improvements in the field of Artificial Intelligence over the next 10 years. Villano’s experience and deep understanding of how and why technology and security-focused laws are created will give students a unique perspective and a key edge in shaping the technology and security fields for years to come.
Villano also has experience in the private sector as the director of Quantum Government Solutions at IonQ, a quantum information science company that is developing quantum computers. Previously he led global strategy at Microsoft and accelerated the deployment of Azure Quantum and cloud computing solutions for the U.S. government and international partners.
“We are very excited to have Peter join TLS,” said Laura Draper, the Assistant Director of the Tech, Law, and Security Program. “Peter’s in-depth knowledge and experience in technology and security matters make him a great fit for our team.”
Villano holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from George Washington University and Johns Hopkins University, respectively, and has held fellowships with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and The Brookings Institution.
~Story by Brice Helms.