The Countdown to the Biggest AI Event in DC is on!
Don't miss this week's exciting announcements.
Hello, I’m Ylli Bajraktari, President of the Special Competitive Studies Project. This week, we released the agenda for the upcoming AI+ Expo, and released a new episode of Memos to the President.
SCSP has taken over the DMV on WMATA buses and Metro cars! If you see an AI+ Expo ad, take a photo and post it on social media and tag SCSP and use #SCSPSpotted. Those who do will receive a giveaway at the event!
There's something for everyone below. Read on to learn more and spread the word.
AI+ Expo Announcements!
Make June 2-4, 2025, at the Washington Convention Center your most impactful days of the year by joining us for the AI+ Expo – the can't-miss event of the year! This premier gathering will be the ultimate meeting space for networking and building the meaningful connections that will drive progress as we bring together the brightest minds in artificial intelligence, policy, and industry. This week we also announced Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, and NobleReach Foundation as sponsors. Visit our website to see who will be speaking and check out some of the exciting things that will be at the AI+ Expo below!
The Exchange: Advancing the Legacy of Innovation and National Security
In addition to the AI+Expo, we are also hosting - same time, same venue - the 4th Exchange on innovation and national security. As with the previous editions, this premier gathering will bring together leaders of innovation from the government, private sector, and scientific community to examine how to advance collaboration in pursuit of national security. You do not want to miss discussions with the Honorable Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the Army, General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Randy George, the Chief of Staff of the Army, General David Allvin, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, Dr. Eric Schmidt, Chair of SCSP, Sasha Baker, Head of National Security Policy at OpenAI, Joshua Marcuse, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Google Public Sector, Thiyagu Ramasamy, Head of Public Sector at Anthropic, Christopher Eisgruber, 20th President of Princeton University, and many more. Check out the list of incredible speakers and the history that inspired the series here.
Drone Arena
You also do not want to miss the drone arena at the AI+Expo. We will have a drone assembly workshop where you can try your drone building skills, first person view (FPV) drone simulators, skilled pilots performing stunts, and drone enthusiasts and U.S. service members competing. This will be the first inter-military services competition taking place in our nation’s capital that we are hosting in partnership with the U.S. National Drone Association (USNDA).
Military service members, cadets and midshipmen from military academies, as well as high school and college students, interested in competing, this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your skills. The USNDA Leaderboard Time Trials Track is now live – apply today!
Hackathon
Want to tackle real-world challenges with the power of AI? SCSP and AGI House are teaming up to host our biggest Hackathon yet! Join up to 300 hackers to solve worthwhile problems, make professional connections with other hackers and supporting tech partners, and maybe even build the next big thing! SCSP is offering $50,000 in prizes, while other soon-to-be-announced tech partners are offering additional cash prizes and API credit prizes. Don't wait – apply today!
ai+careers
Are you ready to shape your future in the age of AI? Head to the ai+careers stage at the AI+ Expo! This dedicated space is your hub for navigating the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence, talent, and opportunity. The Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Juan Pablo Segura, University of Chicago President, Paul Alivisatos, and Girl Security CEO, Lauren Buitta and many more are all speaking on this stage!
Also Connect with Your Next Career Move: Explore the Talent Marketplace, hosted by ClearanceJobs, where you can meet and interview with leading organizations from industry, academia, and government. Build your profile in the Cvent app to access on-site interviews, resume reviews, career coaching, and valuable networking opportunities.
Whether you're looking to advance your career or understand the evolving workforce, ai+careers offers the resources and experiences you need to thrive. Don't miss out!
Bookstore
Don't miss our dedicated bookstore space at the AI+ Expo! Engage with authors through book talks and Q&A sessions, and get your copies signed! A wide range of books on AI, geopolitics, history, semiconductors and technology will be available for purchase. Our lineup so far includes Stanley McChrystal, Edward Luce, Shadi Hamid, Emily Feng, Victoria Coates, Dhruva Jaishankar, and Stephen Witt. It's the perfect place to meet your favorite authors and expand your library.
SCSP Podcasts at the AI+ Expo
Stop by the media stages at the AI+ Expo to watch live tapings of SCSP’s podcasts! Be part of the live audience as experts and innovators delve into the most pressing issues at the intersection of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, national security, and global competition. Don’t miss out!
Special Events
Experience the special events that are happening at the AI+ Expo! Events will cover topics including networks, compute, authenticity, deep tech, and biotechnology (to name a few). Check out some of our 2025 Special Event Partners here!
New Episode of Memos to the President!
This week on Memos to the President, Ylli was joined by Thomas Mason, the Director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory for a conversation on the role of national labs, the current state of the geopolitical tech competition, AI adoption, and what a Manhattan Project for AI would look like.
Also listen to a recent episode featuring India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar!
Catch up on the episodes on YouTube, where you can find the latest and stay tuned for upcoming episodes where we highlight experts who help underscore the urgency for this new administration to prioritize key technologies in the tech competition.
Catch up on Strait Forward!
Last week we released two new episodes of Strait Forward, continuing the exploration of Taiwan's political landscape by diving deep into its two largest political parties, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Kuomintang (KMT).
Stay tuned for next Monday as we have a new episode of Strait Forward, featuring Chieh-Ting Yeh, coming your way!
Last week on NatSec Tech…
Dr. Nandita Balakrishnan, Director of Intelligence at the Special Competitive Studies Project, and Anna Knack, Senior Research Associate at the Alan Turing Institute join Jeanne Meserve to discuss their recent report, “Applying AI to Strategic Warning.” The conversation covers applying AI for strategic warning, examining how artificial intelligence could forecast geopolitical risks, and the report’s benefits, challenges, and future implications.
You can listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts:
AI+AGI in National Security Microcredential Launching at AI+Expo
Our free, asynchronous Coursera course—AI in National Security: Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Public Sector Missions— is designed to give all learners, particularly current and aspiring public sector professionals at all levels, flexible, expert-led training and hands-on experience to help them harness AI in government missions.Stay tuned for our three-course microcredential AI+AGI in National Security, which includes the original course plus two additional courses diving into AI’s economic and societal impacts and exploring the future of Agentic AI, AGI, and ASI - and it will be available in 25 different languages! Whether you’re shaping policy, guiding strategic planning, or simply eager to understand where AI is headed, this microcredential equips you with the deep insights needed to lead in tomorrow’s security landscape.
Catch up on SCSP’s Newsletter!
Recently, we shared reflections on a recent trip to India, highlighted President Trump’s Executive Order on AI and the two policy guidelines issued by the Office of Management and Budget in response, and shared our response to the recent Executive Order on Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth.
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