What’s Happening at SCSP? Two New Exciting Events, Podcasts, and More.
Recapping this week and what’s ahead.
Hello, I’m Ylli Bajraktari, President of the Special Competitive Studies Project. This week, we announced two new exciting events – the AI+ Science Summit and AI Unlocked – and released new podcast episodes that were recorded at the AI+ Expo.
There's something for everyone below. Read on to learn more and spread the word.
Save the Date for the AI+ Science Summit!
SCSP’s AI+ Summit Series is a set of high-level events dedicated to enabling rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) as it transforms our country and becomes a keystone of our national security. The AI+ Science Summit, the fifth in this series, will take place on July 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. - stay tuned for more information coming soon!
AI Unlocked: Where Innovation Meets Imagination
Join us October 3-4, 2025 at National Landing for AI Unlocked, a new event designed to demonstrate the role of AI in everyday life. Brought to you by SCSP and JBG Smith, this event is for everyone! Government. Private Sector. Academia. Community members. School educators. Children. Neighbors. Friends.
AI Unlocked will be two days of conversations and remarks from the private and public sector, academia, tech demos, and a unique and immersive opportunity to explore innovative AI technologies at work through a mix of indoor and outdoor activations.
Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
Just Released: A New Episode of Memos to the President!
This week on Memos to the President, we released a new episode recorded live at the Exchange.
In this episode of Memos to the President, SandboxAQ CEO, Jack Hidary, sits down with Ylli to discuss the critical role of Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) in securing national defense and advancing key technologies. Discover how SandboxAQ is addressing vital applications like new materials for defense, more power-dense batteries for warfighters, and advanced cyber defense.
Catch up on the episodes on YouTube, where you can find the latest and stay tuned for upcoming episodes featuring experts who help underscore the urgency to prioritize key technologies in the tech competition.
This Week on NatSec Tech
In this week’s episode of NatSec Tech, Jeanne Meserve welcomes Greg Little, Senior Counselor for Palantir and former Deputy Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer at the Pentagon. Recorded live at the AI+ Expo, this discussion tackles the state of American shipbuilding, highlighting the contrast between the U.S. and global leaders like China in shipbuilding capacity and efficiency.
You can listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts:
Next Week on Strait Forward:
In next week’s new Strait Forward episode, filmed at our 2025 AI+ Expo, Channing Lee and Libby Lange speak with Chiayo Kuo, Founder of the Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association. She shares her experiences conducting diplomacy in cyberspace and her vision for the future of AI-enabled diplomacy.
Ask us anything! Email Channing and Libby what you'd like to know about Taiwan at straitforward@scsp.ai, and we may answer your question in an upcoming episode!
Missed AI+ Expo? Catch All the Insights – Videos Now on YouTube!
Couldn't make it to the AI+ Expo, or just want to re-experience the groundbreaking talks and insights? Good news! We've just uploaded all the session videos to our YouTube channel. Dive into the future of AI with expert presentations, in-depth discussions, and the latest innovations.
Also stay tuned for upcoming deep dives into the discussions from each of the stages!
Read “China’s AI Infrastructure Surge”!
Recently, we released our latest paper, China’s AI Infrastructure Surge. A joint report with Strider Technologies offers comprehensive insights into the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) state-directed campaign to dominate global artificial intelligence (AI) through infrastructure expansion, military-civil fusion, and targeted overseas engagement. It dives deep into the extent of the PRC’s AI hardware and software buildout, and offers policymakers and industry stakeholders concrete recommendations to ensure the United States stays ahead in the AI race.
Enroll in the new AI+AGI in National Security Microcredential!
Our free, asynchronous Coursera course—AI in National Security: Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Public Sector Missions— is now part of our three-course microcredential AI+AGI in National Security. Over a thousand people have already enrolled! Learners will master generative AI and LLMs, gauge AI’s strategic, geopolitical, and economic impacts, and explore the trajectory of Agentic AI and towards AGI. 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.
This Week at SCSP:
Make sure to read our Summer Reading recommendations and insights from the discussions that happened at the AI+ Expo Bookstore!
