Neil Chilson
Senior AI Advisor
The Abundance Institute
Neil Chilson is a lawyer, computer scientist, and author of the book “Getting Out of Control: Emergent Leadership in a Complex World.”
Neil is a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Growth and Opportunity at Utah State University (CGO). He leads the Center’s work on how different regulatory approaches facilitate or suppress technological innovation and human progress. In particular, Chilson focuses on competition and antitrust policy and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced computing.
Before joining the CGO, Neil worked at the major philanthropic organization Stand Together. His research guided ST's ongoing efforts to promote digital free speech and free association, to lower and eliminate barriers to innovation, and to foster a culture that welcomes innovation as the best way to improve individual and societal well-being.
Before joining ST, Neil was the Chief Technologist at the Federal Trade Commission. His work focused on understanding the economics of privacy, convening a workshop on informational injury, and establishing the FTC’s Blockchain Working Group, among other things. Prior to his appointment, he was an advisor to Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen. In both roles he advised Chairman Ohlhausen and worked with Commission staff on nearly every major technology-related case, report, workshop, or other proceeding since January 2014, when he joined her office. Neil joined the FTC from Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, where he advised clients on telecommunications, privacy, cybersecurity, and other matters.
Neil has a J.D. from The George Washington Law School, a M.S. in computer science from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a B.S. in computer science from Harding University.
Neil is a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Growth and Opportunity at Utah State University (CGO). He leads the Center’s work on how different regulatory approaches facilitate or suppress technological innovation and human progress. In particular, Chilson focuses on competition and antitrust policy and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced computing.
Before joining the CGO, Neil worked at the major philanthropic organization Stand Together. His research guided ST's ongoing efforts to promote digital free speech and free association, to lower and eliminate barriers to innovation, and to foster a culture that welcomes innovation as the best way to improve individual and societal well-being.
Before joining ST, Neil was the Chief Technologist at the Federal Trade Commission. His work focused on understanding the economics of privacy, convening a workshop on informational injury, and establishing the FTC’s Blockchain Working Group, among other things. Prior to his appointment, he was an advisor to Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen. In both roles he advised Chairman Ohlhausen and worked with Commission staff on nearly every major technology-related case, report, workshop, or other proceeding since January 2014, when he joined her office. Neil joined the FTC from Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, where he advised clients on telecommunications, privacy, cybersecurity, and other matters.
Neil has a J.D. from The George Washington Law School, a M.S. in computer science from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a B.S. in computer science from Harding University.