Scott Nolan Smith
@scottnolansmith.com
Comms @nti.org with a focus on our global biological, AI, and emerging tech programs.
International affairs, global security, science, tech, health, coffee, travel + more.
☕🗺⚽️📷👨💻
📍 Washington, DC area
🔗 http://scottnolansmith.com
International affairs, global security, science, tech, health, coffee, travel + more.
☕🗺⚽️📷👨💻
📍 Washington, DC area
🔗 http://scottnolansmith.com
"Edelman's data points to a shift in where authority now resides: away from institutions that persuade across differences, and toward figures who command trust within fragments." www.axios.com/2026/01/16/e...
Exclusive: Global trust data finds our shared reality is collapsing
Democracy, markets and social cohesion all depend on some shared understanding of facts and legitimacy.
www.axios.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:21 PM
"Edelman's data points to a shift in where authority now resides: away from institutions that persuade across differences, and toward figures who command trust within fragments." www.axios.com/2026/01/16/e...
What does 2026 hold for global development? youtu.be/7syIM6-sXVc?...
#127: What does 2026 hold for global development?
YouTube video by Devex
youtu.be
January 16, 2026 at 7:38 PM
What does 2026 hold for global development? youtu.be/7syIM6-sXVc?...
Mirror life may be hypothetical, but its risks are real. It operates outside the assumptions that underpin modern biosafety + biosecurity. We need to address governance now. Aparupa Sengupta, PhD outlines concrete steps to get ahead of the risks. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
Mirror Life Threats: Risks & Governance Solutions — Explained
Mirror life operates outside the assumptions that underpin modern biosafety, biosecurity, and medical surveillance, meaning the policy challenge is not only what to regulate — but how to govern a tech...
www.nti.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Mirror life may be hypothetical, but its risks are real. It operates outside the assumptions that underpin modern biosafety + biosecurity. We need to address governance now. Aparupa Sengupta, PhD outlines concrete steps to get ahead of the risks. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
Reposted by Scott Nolan Smith
NTI | bio was at #JPM2026 this week with industry leaders to discuss where the healthcare system is most exposed, and how stronger international coordination and preparedness can reduce risk while safeguarding long-term value.
Listen now. ⤵️
jpmorgan.metameetings.net/events/healt...
Listen now. ⤵️
jpmorgan.metameetings.net/events/healt...
January 15, 2026 at 3:04 PM
NTI | bio was at #JPM2026 this week with industry leaders to discuss where the healthcare system is most exposed, and how stronger international coordination and preparedness can reduce risk while safeguarding long-term value.
Listen now. ⤵️
jpmorgan.metameetings.net/events/healt...
Listen now. ⤵️
jpmorgan.metameetings.net/events/healt...
HSToday highlights @nti.org‘s new framework for life science funders. Funders play a key role in shaping how life science research is conducted and this tool helps evaluate research proposals to assess biosafety and biosecurity risks. www.hstoday.us/subject-matt...
Nuclear Threat Initiative Issues Guidance for Funders on Assessing Biosafety and Biosecurity Risks in Research - HSToday
The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) has released new guidance aimed at helping research funders better assess biosafety and biosecurity risks associated with life sciences projects involving infectiou...
www.hstoday.us
January 9, 2026 at 2:28 PM
HSToday highlights @nti.org‘s new framework for life science funders. Funders play a key role in shaping how life science research is conducted and this tool helps evaluate research proposals to assess biosafety and biosecurity risks. www.hstoday.us/subject-matt...
Reposted by Scott Nolan Smith
"Negotiations on how to continue New START limits for an additional year should begin immediately, as should talks with Russia and China on avoiding a dangerous arms race."
Read our President and CEO's full statement on President Trump’s reported comments on the upcoming expiration of New START. ⤵️
Read our President and CEO's full statement on President Trump’s reported comments on the upcoming expiration of New START. ⤵️
Statement from NTI President and CEO Christine E. Wormuth on President Trump’s reported comments to The New York Times on the upcoming expiration of New START
NTI encourages the United States and the Russian Federation to continue to abide by New START’s limits on intercontinental-range nuclear weapons past its scheduled expiration on February 5, 2026.
www.nti.org
January 9, 2026 at 1:36 AM
"Negotiations on how to continue New START limits for an additional year should begin immediately, as should talks with Russia and China on avoiding a dangerous arms race."
Read our President and CEO's full statement on President Trump’s reported comments on the upcoming expiration of New START. ⤵️
Read our President and CEO's full statement on President Trump’s reported comments on the upcoming expiration of New START. ⤵️
Listen to Clippy.
In one month, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia expires.
Learn more: www.nti.org/education-ce...
Learn more: www.nti.org/education-ce...
January 6, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Listen to Clippy.
"𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘢 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵." Hugh Sullivan reflects on @nti.org's mission and work, and how you can help turn global risks into action. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
Turning Risk into Action
The way we talk about risk shapes what gets done and who plays a role. Hugh Sullivan, NTI’s vice president for development explores how storytelling, tailored messaging, and a focus on agency can turn...
www.nti.org
January 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM
"𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘢 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵." Hugh Sullivan reflects on @nti.org's mission and work, and how you can help turn global risks into action. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
When you think of Christmas, you think of Elf. And when you think of Elf, you think of global health security. Obviously. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
What Buddy the Elf Can Teach Us About Global Health Security
You might not expect a man in yellow tights eating syrupy spaghetti to teach you about global health security—but Elf offers surprisingly helpful lessons to understand the importance of addressing bio...
www.nti.org
December 24, 2025 at 1:42 PM
When you think of Christmas, you think of Elf. And when you think of Elf, you think of global health security. Obviously. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
"Once a vehicle for global cooperation, international science has become a high-stakes arena of geopolitical rivalry." foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/15/s...
The Death—and Rebirth—of Science Diplomacy
Once a vehicle for global cooperation, international science has become a high-stakes arena of geopolitical rivalry.
foreignpolicy.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
"Once a vehicle for global cooperation, international science has become a high-stakes arena of geopolitical rivalry." foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/15/s...
Attending #JPM2026 in January? This panel will unpack where biological risks and vulnerabilities lie and how increased resilience and cross-border cooperation can protect both public health and the bottom line.
Biological risks — from climate-driven disease to engineered pathogens — continue to threaten markets, supply chains, and global R&D. Join us to discuss solutions at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. #JPM2026
www.nti.org/events/the-n...
www.nti.org/events/the-n...
December 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Attending #JPM2026 in January? This panel will unpack where biological risks and vulnerabilities lie and how increased resilience and cross-border cooperation can protect both public health and the bottom line.
Reposted by Scott Nolan Smith
Do you think that the movie Elf is just a cinematic masterpiece about the magic of the holiday season? Think again.
It offers key lessons on global health security. Read @scottnolansmith.com’s blog to see why, unlike Santa’s sleigh, global health crises can’t be solved with singing.
It offers key lessons on global health security. Read @scottnolansmith.com’s blog to see why, unlike Santa’s sleigh, global health crises can’t be solved with singing.
What Buddy the Elf Can Teach Us About Global Health Security
You might not expect a man in yellow tights eating syrupy spaghetti to teach you about global health security—but Elf offers surprisingly helpful lessons to understand the importance of addressing…
www.nti.org
December 15, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Do you think that the movie Elf is just a cinematic masterpiece about the magic of the holiday season? Think again.
It offers key lessons on global health security. Read @scottnolansmith.com’s blog to see why, unlike Santa’s sleigh, global health crises can’t be solved with singing.
It offers key lessons on global health security. Read @scottnolansmith.com’s blog to see why, unlike Santa’s sleigh, global health crises can’t be solved with singing.
When you think of global health security, you probably don’t focus on a man in yellow tights eating spaghetti with syrup. But, Elf offers surprisingly helpful lessons to help address biological threats. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
What Buddy the Elf Can Teach Us About Global Health Security
You might not expect a man in yellow tights eating syrupy spaghetti to teach you about global health security—but Elf offers surprisingly helpful lessons to understand the importance of addressing bio...
www.nti.org
December 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
When you think of global health security, you probably don’t focus on a man in yellow tights eating spaghetti with syrup. But, Elf offers surprisingly helpful lessons to help address biological threats. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
Funders play a key role in shaping how life science research is conducted. As science advances, so do biosafety and biosecurity challenges. @nti.org has published new guidance and a framework to help funders assess risks and evaluate research proposals. www.nti.org/analysis/art...
Guidance for Assessing Biosecurity and Biosafety Risks: For the Purpose of Reviewing Research Proposals Prior to Funding
Funders play a key role in shaping how life science research is conducted. This new framework—developed collaboratively by a diverse group of internationally recognized experts—helps funders identify ...
www.nti.org
December 11, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Funders play a key role in shaping how life science research is conducted. As science advances, so do biosafety and biosecurity challenges. @nti.org has published new guidance and a framework to help funders assess risks and evaluate research proposals. www.nti.org/analysis/art...
Funders have a key role in shaping life science research. Join @nti.org for the launch of a new framework designed to help funders assess biosecurity + biosafety risks—and integrate these considerations into funding decisions.
Webinar | Dec. 11, 10AM ET
Register here: www.nti.org/events/launc...
Webinar | Dec. 11, 10AM ET
Register here: www.nti.org/events/launc...
Integrating Biosafety & Biosecurity into Funding Decisions
Funders play a key role in shaping how life science research is conducted. This webinar will introduce a new framework—developed collaboratively by a diverse group of internationally recognized expert...
www.nti.org
December 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Funders have a key role in shaping life science research. Join @nti.org for the launch of a new framework designed to help funders assess biosecurity + biosafety risks—and integrate these considerations into funding decisions.
Webinar | Dec. 11, 10AM ET
Register here: www.nti.org/events/launc...
Webinar | Dec. 11, 10AM ET
Register here: www.nti.org/events/launc...
AI is transforming life sciences and public health — brining both promise and risks. These tools could be misused to design dangerous pathogens. The time for guardrails is now. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
AIxBio = Big Promise + New Risks
The AI-biology convergence offers enormous benefits but also brings about risks as we’ve never seen before. Without action from multiple disciplines, the race for AI development and dominance could be...
www.nti.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:58 PM
AI is transforming life sciences and public health — brining both promise and risks. These tools could be misused to design dangerous pathogens. The time for guardrails is now. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
The race for AI supremacy could devolve into a race to the bottom on safety. Exploitation of AIxBio capabilities for harm is a plausible near-term risk—and the time for action is now. Latest @nti.org report offers actionable recommendations for governments and industry. www.nti.org/analysis/art...
Safeguarding Against Global Catastrophe
AIxBio capabilities hold immense promise—but they also introduce unprecedented risks. The exploitation of AIxBio capabilities for harm is a plausible near-term risk—and the time for action is now.
www.nti.org
December 3, 2025 at 4:27 PM
The race for AI supremacy could devolve into a race to the bottom on safety. Exploitation of AIxBio capabilities for harm is a plausible near-term risk—and the time for action is now. Latest @nti.org report offers actionable recommendations for governments and industry. www.nti.org/analysis/art...
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December 2, 2025 at 5:55 PM
😬
"Between the research cuts and the dismantling of the knowledge pipeline, we are now less prepared for a biological attack today than we were yesterday, and we are setting ourselves up to be years behind tomorrow." — @jaimeyassif.bsky.social www.leadersedge.com/healthcare/m...
Moving Backward on Biodefense? | Leader's Edge Magazine
Moving Backward on Biodefense? Though the Trump administration maintains it is committed to disease preparedness, cuts to relevant federal agencies and R&D pipelines have experts questioning the count...
www.leadersedge.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:56 PM
"Between the research cuts and the dismantling of the knowledge pipeline, we are now less prepared for a biological attack today than we were yesterday, and we are setting ourselves up to be years behind tomorrow." — @jaimeyassif.bsky.social www.leadersedge.com/healthcare/m...
Reposted by Scott Nolan Smith
#GivingTuesday is just one day away!
Tomorrow, your support for NTI will go twice as far thanks to a 1:1 match. Join us in working to reduce global threats and build a safer world. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
Tomorrow, your support for NTI will go twice as far thanks to a 1:1 match. Join us in working to reduce global threats and build a safer world. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
Double Your Impact This Giving Tuesday
December 2 is Giving Tuesday, the global day of giving—and we have exciting news: Every gift will be matched 1:1 by an NTI Board member! That means your impact will be doubled to help build a safer…
www.nti.org
December 1, 2025 at 2:45 PM
#GivingTuesday is just one day away!
Tomorrow, your support for NTI will go twice as far thanks to a 1:1 match. Join us in working to reduce global threats and build a safer world. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
Tomorrow, your support for NTI will go twice as far thanks to a 1:1 match. Join us in working to reduce global threats and build a safer world. www.nti.org/risky-busine...
How do we harness AI’s benefits while preventing catastrophic misuse in biology?
Join @nti.org for the virtual launch of our new report on safeguarding AIxBio capabilities.
Dec. 3 at 11:00AM ET
Register here: www.nti.org/events/repor...
Join @nti.org for the virtual launch of our new report on safeguarding AIxBio capabilities.
Dec. 3 at 11:00AM ET
Register here: www.nti.org/events/repor...
Report Launch: Safeguarding AIxBio Capabilities to Prevent Global Catastrophe
"Safeguarding Against Global Catastrophe: Risks, Opportunities, and Governance Options at the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Biology," highlights actions the international community can t...
www.nti.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
How do we harness AI’s benefits while preventing catastrophic misuse in biology?
Join @nti.org for the virtual launch of our new report on safeguarding AIxBio capabilities.
Dec. 3 at 11:00AM ET
Register here: www.nti.org/events/repor...
Join @nti.org for the virtual launch of our new report on safeguarding AIxBio capabilities.
Dec. 3 at 11:00AM ET
Register here: www.nti.org/events/repor...
By cutting aid, “we’re withdrawing an investment in our own security”. youtu.be/foAVxxNhtWI?...
Why cutting aid to buy bombs is making us less safe
YouTube video by The Telegraph
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
By cutting aid, “we’re withdrawing an investment in our own security”. youtu.be/foAVxxNhtWI?...
Building resilient health financing systems requires smarter, data-driven decisions. Check out insights from this expert roundtable on how tools like the upcoming Africa Health Security (AHS) Index can help countries close gaps and strengthen preparedness. www.nti.org/analysis/art...
Smarter Health Financing for Self-Reliance and Resilience Across the African Continent
Amid a combination of economic slowdown, reductions in official development assistance, rising biological threats, and climate change’s disproportionate impact on Africa, leaders and experts call for ...
www.nti.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Building resilient health financing systems requires smarter, data-driven decisions. Check out insights from this expert roundtable on how tools like the upcoming Africa Health Security (AHS) Index can help countries close gaps and strengthen preparedness. www.nti.org/analysis/art...
Reposted by Scott Nolan Smith
We are thrilled to welcome Christine Wormuth to NTI today as our new President and CEO! With her impressive leadership background at the Pentagon, the White House, and leading think tanks, we're excited to see how she will steer our organization into the next chapter.
www.nti.org/news/nti-wel...
www.nti.org/news/nti-wel...
NTI Welcomes Christine E. Wormuth as President and CEO
A national security leader with more than 30 years of experience in defense policy, strategic planning, and international security, Secretary Wormuth brings an extensive record of leadership and…
www.nti.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
We are thrilled to welcome Christine Wormuth to NTI today as our new President and CEO! With her impressive leadership background at the Pentagon, the White House, and leading think tanks, we're excited to see how she will steer our organization into the next chapter.
www.nti.org/news/nti-wel...
www.nti.org/news/nti-wel...
Reposted by Scott Nolan Smith
The U.S. maintains its nuclear arsenal using advanced simulations, continuous monitoring, and rigorous assessments—methods that provide more accurate insights than past explosive tests ever did, explains NTI’s Dimitri Kusnezov, former Chief Scientist at the National Nuclear Security Administration.
How the U.S. Maintains Its Nuclear Arsenal—Without Explosive Testing
The U.S. ended explosive nuclear testing in the 1990s, but that does not mean we are unprepared. In its place, the U.S. uses a science-based program that checks the health of the stockpile…
www.nti.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The U.S. maintains its nuclear arsenal using advanced simulations, continuous monitoring, and rigorous assessments—methods that provide more accurate insights than past explosive tests ever did, explains NTI’s Dimitri Kusnezov, former Chief Scientist at the National Nuclear Security Administration.