The AI+ Expo & The Exchange: Forging the United States’ Path to National AI Competitiveness

A recap of last week’s AI+ Expo and The Exchange, including a special edition of Memos to the President featuring Lt.Gen. (ret). H.R. McMaster.

Hello, I’m Ylli Bajraktari, President of the Special Competitive Studies Project. If you're fascinated by the transformative power of AI, you've found your community. Welcome to both new subscribers and attendees of the recent AI+ Expo and The Exchange – below, we share a few highlights from this premier event.

I am also excited to share the latest episode of Memos to the President, featuring former National Security Advisor and my former boss, Lt.Gen. (ret). H.R. McMaster. We discussed a range of issues relating to the Axis of Disruptors - China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran - and more. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

---

Recapping the AI+ Expo and The Exchange

Last week hosted the AI+ Expo for National Competitiveness and The Exchange: Advancing the Legacy of Innovation and National Security that saw over 15,000 attendees, 500+ speakers, 350+ sessions, and it was far more than just a conference. It was a critical convocation, a stark reminder of the lightning pace of AI development and its profound implications for U.S. national security and economic vitality. The AI+ Expo gathered a vital cross-section of innovators, policymakers, and leaders – all confronting the imperative to secure America's competitive edge in artificial intelligence.

Beyond the main stage, the AI+ Expo's impact vibrated across its eight stages, special event rooms, and diverse venues. Here, experts shared vital insights on technology's future and the critical role of private-public collaboration. The Expo floor itself was a powerful display of American ingenuity, featuring over 160+ exhibitors showcasing the latest in emerging technology. This year also featured a thrilling Drone Arena, hosting the first U.S. military drone competition in the nation's capital, as well as an intensive hackathon that pushed the boundaries of AI problem-solving. The AI+ Careers stage and Talent Marketplace bustled with professionals gaining insights about the future of work, while the AI+ Bookstore offered a unique space for deep dives into new ideas and direct conversations with authors.

The atmosphere over these three days was charged with a palpable sense of urgency, reflecting the gravity of the discussions and the challenges at hand. Yet, amidst the serious discourse, there was also a profound sense of hope and shared purpose. From the cutting-edge demonstrations on the expo floor to the candid dialogues on stage, and the strategic discussions at The Exchange, these events served as an indispensable forum for strategic alignment, a clear call for decisive action, and a powerful affirmation that solutions are within reach.

This week we released a few videos from last week and in the coming days and weeks, we will begin publishing the rest of the much-anticipated videos from the AI Expo on our YouTube Channel. In the meantime, make sure to watch remarks from Dr. Eric Schmidt and General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Thank You

The success of the AI+ Expo and The Exchange, and the critical momentum generated, would simply not have been possible without the collective commitment of every individual involved. We extend our deepest gratitude to our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and to all our attendees, whose enthusiasm and active participation transformed these events into dynamic forums. Your combined efforts were instrumental in convening key stakeholders across our innovation ecosystem, fostering a renewed sense of pride and accelerating progress in our national technological competitiveness. It is this shared dedication that propels us forward.

Finally, our profound thanks go to our Chair, Dr. Eric Schmidt, whose unwavering guidance, steadfast leadership, and unyielding support of our mission remain an indispensable force in this urgent endeavor.

The AI+ Expo in 2026

We will be hosting the AI+ Expo for National Competitiveness again in 2026 and look forward to building on this year's incredible success! Interested in joining us next year? Those interested in sponsoring the event, please reach out to Hina Gir at hmg@scsp.ai. Those interested in exhibiting, please reach out to the contacts below:

Exhibitors beginning with #-K, contact Laura Willis, laura.wills@spargoinc.com. Exhibitors beginning with L-Z, contact Joanne Norin, joanne.norin@spargoinc.com.

For all other inquiries, please email events@scsp.ai.

---

The AI+ Expo and Exchange in Photos

Dr. Eric Schmidt, Chair of SCSP, on stage at The Exchange.

The Honorable Chris Wright, United States Secretary of Energy, in conversation with SCSP’s Ylli Bajraktari at the AI+ Expo.

Her Excellency Bi-khim Hsiao, Vice President of Taiwan, and Ylli Bajraktari in conversation at The Exchange.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, giving keynote remarks at The Exchange.

Members of Congress including Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL), Representative John Moolenaar (MI), Representative Mike Haridopolos (FL), Senator Dave McCormick (PA), Representative Brett Guthrie (KY), Senator Mike Rounds (SD), Senator Cynthia Lummis (WY), Representative Don Beyer (VA), Representative Don Davis (NC), Senator Pete Ricketts (NE), Representative Troy Downing (MT), and Senator Todd Young (IN) on stage at the AI+ Expo.

The Honorable Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the Army and General Randy George, Chief of Staff of the Army, on stage at The Exchange with SCSP’s Dr. PJ Maykish.

David Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, greets team Air Force at the Drone Arena after speaking at The Exchange.

The Honorable Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Philippine Secretary of National Defense, speaking with Rhombus Power Founder & CEO Dr. Anshuman Roy and SCSP’s Ylber Bajraktari at The Exchange.

A recording of an episode of Memos to the President featuring Lt. Gen. (ret). H.R. McMaster at the AI+ Expo.

The Honorable John Phelan, Secretary of the Navy, in conversation with the Honorable Mike Gallagher at the Exchange.

Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi delivers keynote remarks at the AI+ Expo.

Members of SCSP’s Board of Advisors, The Honorable Robert O. Work, Dr. Nadia Schadlow, and The Honorable Michèle Flournoy on stage with Gen (ret.) Joe Dunford at The Exchange.

Dr. Condoleezza Rice on stage at the AI+ Expo.

General B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, on stage with Dr. Nadia Schadlow at The Exchange.

SCSP Board of Advisor Member, The Honorable Mac Thornberry, Director of Savannah River National Laboratory, Johney Green, and Laboratory Director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Dr. Kimberly S. Budil, on stage at the AI+ Expo.

Alexandr Wang, Founder and CEO of ScaleAI, on stage with Morgan Brennan at The Exchange.

Deputy Secretary of Labor, Keith Sonderling, on the AI+ Careers Stage with AMD’s Keith Strier at the AI+ Expo.

Commissioners of SCSP’s Commission on the Scaling of Fusion Energy, Mark Menzes, Dr. Kimberly S. Budil, and Mike Kuiken speak with SCSP’s David Lin on stage at the AI+ Expo.

A recording of an upcoming episode of NatSec Tech featuring Margaret Busse, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, and host Jeanne Meserve at the AI+ Expo.

A recording of an upcoming episode of Strait Forward at the AI+ Expo with hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange featuring Cyber Ambassador of Taiwan, Audrey Tang.

Attendees of the AI+ Expo Hackathon working on their projects.

Fareed Zakaria in discussion with SCSP’s Joel Nelson at the AI+ Expo Bookstore.

Competitors racing at the AI+ Expo Drone Arena.

A crowd watches on at the AI+ Expo.

Brendan Shulman of Boston Dynamics and Spot in the Boston Dynamics booth.