Research
Papers
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Face-to-Face: Confronting Machine-Generated Evidence
On how the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment should adapt to evidence generated by AI systems rather than human witnesses.
Jamasbi, Kian, Face-to-Face: Confronting Machine-Generated Evidence (July 19, 2024). Indiana University Maurer School of Law's Law & Society - Constitutional Law eJournal (Vol. 20, Issue 4), Vanderbilt University Law School's Artificial Intelligence - Law, Policy, and Ethics eJournal, Fordham Law Legal Studies Research Paper 5843422, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5843422.
This Note proposes an expanded interpretation of the Sixth Amendment's Confrontation Clause to address challenges presented by machine-generated evidence. Drawing upon the historical concept of "face-to-face" confrontation, including its biblical origins, it argues that the right to confront one's accusers should extend to the algorithms and data underlying machine-generated evidence. The Note develops an analogy between this expanded right and open-source software principles, contending that defendants should be able to examine and challenge the inner workings of machines producing evidence against them. The argument is developed through an analysis of Supreme Court decisions and cases involving machine-generated evidence, paralleling Jacob's transformative wrestling match in Genesis 32:30 to highlight the importance of direct, unmediated confrontation. This includes the right to call expert witnesses to explain and critique machine-generated evidence. Ultimately, this Note aims to preserve meaningful machine confrontation in legal proceedings, thereby ensuring the Confrontation Clause remains relevant and robust.
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Reinforcing Global Nuclear Non-Proliferation: The Case for the Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty
On why the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty remains the most viable multilateral path to capping global stocks of weapons-usable nuclear material, and how to move the negotiation out of procedural deadlock.
Jamasbi, Kian, Reinforcing Global Nuclear Non-Proliferation: The Case for the Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty (December 13, 2023). Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy, Course on International Law & Nuclear Weapons, Selected Student Papers, 2023; Public International Law: Sources eJournal; National Security & Foreign Relations Law eJournal; Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5813622.
This paper provides a critical evaluation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), focusing on its legal authority and the differing treatment of nuclear and non-nuclear states. It analyzes specific NPT articles and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguard Agreements, considering challenges in nuclear governance such as issues with Iran, the AUKUS trilateral security pact, and various working papers from the 2026 NPT review cycle. The paper supports the European Union's urging of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) to begin negotiations for a Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty (FMCT), emphasizing its importance for reinforcing global nuclear non-proliferation. It proposes a strategic shift from the Conference on Disarmament to a United Nations (UN) General Assembly mandate, drawing comparisons with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). The paper concludes with practical considerations meant to strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
Selected Earlier Work
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China-United States Trade War: Soybeans, REEs & Renewable Energy
Jamasbi, Kian, China-United States Trade War: Soybeans, REEs & Renewable Energy (December 13, 2019). International Trade, Volume 18, Issue 1, Sustainability & Economics, Volume 15, Issue 1, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5800622.
This paper reviews the destabilizing economic and environmental externalities of the China-United States trade war, an economic conflict that has been ongoing since January 2018. The study identifies three primary consequences of the conflict during this period: (1) the reorganization of the global soybean trade leading to expedited deforestation of the Amazon rainforest; (2) the proliferation of toxic rare-earth element (REE) mining practices as supply chains decouple; and (3) a significant decline in renewable energy adoption due to tariff-induced capital constraints. The analysis suggests that the trade war's economic protectionism directly undermines the global community's ability to meet Paris Climate Agreement commitments. Historical parallels are drawn with the US-Soviet trade embargoes to illustrate the long-term erosion of commercial trust.
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Good Civilizations & Industrialized Societies
Jamasbi, Kian, Good Civilizations & Industrialized Societies (April 07, 2019). International Political Economy: Globalization eJournal (Vol 14, Issue 28), IO: Productivity Innovation & Technology eJournal (Vol 18, Issue 46), Economics of Innovation eJournal (Vol 14, Issue 45), Emerging Markets Economics: Industrial Policy & Regulation eJournal (Vol 17, Issue 29), Economic Sociology eJournal (Vol 6, Issue 42), Strategy & Social Policies eJournal (Vol 18, Issue 44), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=6366219.
This essay examines two primary references to synthesize views on industrialization and human autonomy. The first, authored by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1909, is titled Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule. Initially written in Gandhi's native Gujarati and banned by the British as a seditious text in 1910, the book contains views on industrialization and how it could help bring about Swaraj, a term for home-rule coined by Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, best understood as "India for Indians". The second reference is authored by Theodore John Kaczynski and titled Industrial Society and Its Future. This 35,000-word text argues that industrialization began as a destructive process, forcing humans to create sociopolitical orders that suppress human freedom and potential. Serving as the ideological framework of Kaczynski's 1978-1995 mail bomb campaign, the manuscript was published by the Washington Post after an offer was made to end his bombing campaign in exchange for national exposure of the text. This essay explores only specific portions of Kaczynski's text, namely sections 38 through 42, as they relate surrogate activities to human autonomy.
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Assessing the Utility of 3D Printed Satellite Components
Jamasbi, Kian, Assessing the Utility of 3D Printed Satellite Components (April 20, 2016). Aerospace Engineering eJournal, Environment for Innovation eJournal, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5926542.
This study investigates 3D-printed thermoplastics as a low-cost substitute for aluminum in miniature satellites (CubeSats). The use of additive manufacturing could lower structural costs, thereby making orbital research more widely accessible. A comparative analysis assessed the mechanical degradation of five different filaments: Ultem 1010, Nylon, Polycarbonate, ASA, and ABS M30. Performing simulated stratospheric ultraviolet (UV) exposure, samples were exposed to weathering cycles of 0, 250, 500, and 1000 hours. The results showed that while Ultem 1010 experienced a drop in tensile strength, it maintained the greatest rigidity among the polymers tested. Conversely, Nylon exhibited an unexpected increase in tensile strength, which raises concerns about potential increased brittleness. A full-scale prototype was manufactured to confirm the viability of the production process. Although Ultem 1010's strength is lower than the standard Aluminum 5052-H32, the data suggests it offers sufficient structural integrity for non-load-bearing orbital applications, contingent upon meeting launch vibration requirements.