What’s Happening at SCSP? The Exchange, Podcasts, and More.
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 latest episode of Memos to the President, and announced new sponsors of the upcoming AI+ Expo.
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 meaningful connections that will drive progress as we bring together the brightest minds in artificial intelligence, policy, and industry - 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 conjunction with the AI+Expo, we are also hosting at the DC Convention Center the 4th Exchange on innovation and national security. As with the previous editions, this Exchange will bring together pioneers and champions of innovation from the government, private sector, and scientific community to examine how to advance collaboration in pursuit of national security. We are excited to continue the extraordinary discussions and connections made during previous events, further solidifying its position as a leading forum for exploring the intersection of AI and national security. For this Exchange, we are honored to be welcoming the Honorable Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the Army, General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General (ret) Joe Dunford, 19th 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, General Christopher Mahoney, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Dr. Eric Schmidt and many more. Check out more of the incredible speakers joining us at the Exchange and the history that inspired the series here.
Drone Arena
Prepare for takeoff at the AI+ Expo's dynamic Drone Arena! Immerse yourself in the world of unmanned aerial vehicles with a hands-on drone assembly workshop. Test your speed and agility on state-of-the-art simulators, and marvel at the expertise of professional pilots.
In partnership with the U.S. National Drone Association (USNDA), the arena will also host an inter-military services drone competition! Cheer on U.S. Service Members and talented drone enthusiasts as they navigate challenging obstacles and showcase live tactical exercises.
And for military service members, 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 300+ hackers to solve worthwhile problems, forge professional connections with other hackers and supporting tech partners, and maybe even build the next big thing! Prizes and track partners will be announced soon. Don't wait – apply today!
ai+careers
Are you ready to shape your future in the age of AI? Head to the ai+careers area at the AI+ Expo! This dedicated space is your hub for navigating the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence, talent, and opportunity.
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.
Gain Insights from the Experts: Tune into the ai+careers Stage for live discussions on how AI and emerging technologies are revolutionizing work, education, and beyond, featuring thought leaders from tech, policy, and academia.
Engage with Innovation: Discover cutting-edge advancements at our Interactive Booths, featuring organizations at the forefront of AI and emerging tech.
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, semiconductors and technology will be available for purchase. It's the perfect place to meet your favorite authors and expand your library.
Other Exciting Announcements
This week we announced that members of our Commission on the Scaling of Fusion Energy will be speaking at the AI+ Expo! We also announced that RTX, JBG Smith, ClearanceJobs, Wirescreen, and Equinix will be joining us as sponsors at this year’s event. Stay tuned for additional exciting announcements coming soon!
Catch up on SCSP’s Newsletter!
This week in our newsletter, 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.
Make sure to subscribe to never miss a newsletter!
New Episode of Memos to the President!
This week on Memos to the President, Ylli was joined by India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar for a conversation where Minister Jaishankar provides his insights into the profound changes shaping the global landscape. The discussion covers the forces of globalization, the impact of the AI revolution, the evolving dynamics of U.S.-India relations, and India's growing role on the world stage.
Also listen to a recent episode featuring Dr. Anshu Roy, CEO of Rhombus Power. Ylli and Anshu discussed key issues related to national security, including the potential for predictive technologies to support more timely and informed decisions.
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.
New Episode of Strait Forward!
China's military pressure on Taiwan is escalating. How is Taiwan responding? Tune into last week’s episode as Fei-Fan Lin, Deputy Secretary-General of Taiwan’s National Security Council, joins hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange to provide crucial insights into Taiwan's defense strategies. This episode explores Taiwan's multifaceted approach to national security, lessons learned from the Ukraine war, and the importance of societal resilience.
Stay tuned for next Monday and Thursday as we have two new episodes of Strait Forward, featuring Iris Shaw of the DPP & Howard Shen of the KMT, coming your way!
Tune in to NatSec Tech!
On the most recent episode of NatSec Tech, SCSP Chair Dr. Eric Schmidt, joined Jeanne Meserve to discuss AI, biotech, and global competition. Stay tuned for a new episode that releases next week!
You can listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts:
Coursera Course Now Available!
Our free, asynchronous Coursera course—AI in National Security: Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Public Sector Missions—has already enrolled over 1,400 learners and brings together AI luminaries like SCSP Chair Eric Schmidt, Andrew Ng, and senior national security leaders to demonstrate essential tools and their real-world applications. Through screencast tutorials and worksheet exercises, participants gain hands-on experience experimenting with AI on actual use cases. Designed for current and aspiring public sector professionals at all levels—and anyone seeking a practical introduction to why AI matters today—this course offers flexible, expert-led training to help you harness AI in government missions.
Coming soon at Expo, our three-course microcredential AI+AGI in National Security will expand your journey from foundational concepts to the cutting edge of intelligent systems. The sequence includes the original AI in National Security course plus two advanced modules diving into AI’s economic and societal impacts and exploring the future of Agentic AI, AGI, and ASI. 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.