Justin Bassi

Executive Director @ASPI_org | Fmr 🇦🇺 Gov & National Security Adviser/Chief of Staff | Intel, foreign, defence policy | Sports fan, Dons tragic, test match 🏏

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

'A global meteorological warning system has become an excuse for China to embed AI-feeding weather stations on foreign territory, gathering data that would help its armed forces in war,' write Tilla Hoja and @BassiJustin. https://t.co/rAduALa0Gl

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

With a civilian excuse, China is collecting militarily useful weather data abroad | Tilla Hoja and @BassiJustin | https://t.co/hYHXMMQEkO

[Geoff Wade @geoff_p_wade]

PRC: "With a civilian excuse, China is collecting militarily useful weather data abroad". By embedding what it calls the Mazu AI Weather Forecasting System in foreign countries, including several developing nations which have all signed up to the Belt and Road Initiative, China has found another way to increase their dependency on it, this time in the vital area of weather warning and disaster mitigation. https://t.co/HJ4LWBohXo

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

Australia’s foreign-investment gatekeeper needs defence expertise | @johncoyne14 and @BassiJustin | https://t.co/FDpRzY0qrm

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

In @australian, @BassiJustin says that the fact that next month's Quad meeting will be held in Manila is "a sign that Americans are telling both regional partners and Beijing that institutionally they are still here and strong."

🗞️Read more➡️https://t.co/abfm7Isbuv

[Australian Foreign Affairs @AusForeign]

Join us at the launch of "Tokyo Rising: Japan’s Big Choices" on October 26 at 530-7pm AEST at the Australian National University. Hear Hugh White, @Lauren_ANU, @AlexBristowASPI and Carolyn Bull discuss Japan-Australia ties in a changing Asia.
Tickets:
https://t.co/od9LdDzJke

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

In a contested Indo-Pacific, undersea power is critical. AUKUS is our strategy | @JohnBlaxland1 and Kate Rosengreen | https://t.co/DVYNCGLEoi

[david wroe @davidwroe]

Haven't seen the letter yet but from @FinancialReview report, the AI Committee's early recs look excellent & wisely reflect the urgency 🇦🇺 needs:
👍public investment in data centres for national interest
👍3rd party evaluators to assess frontier devt
👍sensible copyright ... 1/2

[Justin Bassi @BassiJustin]

It was great to participate in the Australian Industry Group’s National Forum in Canberra yesterday, discussing the convergence of trade, tech and security.

Thanks to @The_AiGroup’s Innes Willox, @USSC’s Olivia Shen and @AndrewGoledzi

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

🚨 NOW LIVE 🚨

ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker has expanded to include a new patent-analysis capability, with patent-based rankings across 20+ critical technologies and two decades of historical data.

🔗 Request access now: https://t.co/aodLTFYbFc

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

The latest edition of AI Under Heaven is out now!

This edition explores whether 🇨🇳 labs would disclose major AI incidents, the risks of open-weight AI models and a key 🇨🇳 scientist’s call to pace the development of ‘artificial superintelligence’.

📚: https://t.co/lDXEkDCaFa

[Justin Bassi @BassiJustin]

In my view there’s no better time - or place - to work on the intersection of AI and security research and analysis.

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

🗓️ JOB ALERT 🗓️

ASPI is seeking an experienced professional to lead its AI & Security Program.

Shape research on AI safety & innovation, US–China competition, Australia’s place in the AI ecosystem & global AI governance.

🔗 Applications close 29 October: https://t.co/hGZ1BN0nOs

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

NEW PODCAST 🎙️

This Stop the World episode features @BassiJustin’s conversation with Abi Bradshaw, Director-General of @ASDGovAu, at the TSD AI Masterclass, covering AI-enabled cyber threats, the offence-defence balance and 🇦🇺’s access to frontier AI.

🎧: https://t.co/IvBXSqLZdB

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

⏰ CLOSING SOON ⏰

Applications for ASPI’s China Senior Analyst/Analyst role close at 5pm today.

We’re looking for an experienced analyst with strong subject matter expertise, leadership, policy and fundraising experience to join the team.

🔗 Apply now: https://t.co/S9b2xSmlFQ

[Justin Bassi @BassiJustin]

Agree on the testing guardrails.

But I reckon you’d need to prove some form of knowledge, not just unauthorised access - they clearly didn’t know it was happening so I think it would be a challenge and not sure what the benefit would be either when we need govt and these companies to work together.

[Justin Bassi @BassiJustin]

Thanks Dom.

I agree with you that there shouldn’t be criminality here as there was no intent. We need govt & companies working together on protections & responses.

It also shows the complexity. So many issues involved, incl. the need for 🇺🇸 companies to pace but still lead 🇨🇳.

[Dominic Meagher @dom_ma]

Excellent conversation on OpenAI’s Medicare hack between @davidwroe & @BassiJustin

One point I slightly disagree with:
David said this might’ve been illegal if a human did it, but humans did do it. “It” was running a high-risk test without proper safety protocols or reporting processes that resulted in a security breach.

That’s the behaviour we need regulators to focus on

https://t.co/22PNecxp2X

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

ICYMI 🎙️

As AI safety and security dominates headlines around the globe, @BassiJustin joined @davidwroe on Stop the World to unpack the OpenAI Medicare breach, US–China coordination on AI safety and the Trump–Xi summit in Washington.

🎧 Listen here: https://t.co/HP624G7sjU

[Justin Bassi @BassiJustin]

@davidpugliese @OttawaCitizen Raquel is affiliated with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute too, the think tank I lead. Proud of her as a strategic mind and to call her a friend.

How dare a Canadian work with 5-eyes partners…

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

'Protecting Australia’s research edge demands more than either pole in the current debate litigating purity while those whose intentions are anything but pure exploit the gaps,' write @BassiJustin, @BuchananLiz and @CoreraJames.
https://t.co/L9VUvC16wY

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

JOB ALERT 🔊

ASPI is looking for an experienced China analyst or senior analyst to join the team.

The role will focus on China’s foreign and security policy, defence and military affairs, Australia–China relations and China’s impact on the region.

🔗: https://t.co/GCidWuwS6p