Two Days That Will Shape America's AI Future: Your Guide to the US AI Congress
By Zack Huhn, Co-Founder and Chairman, Enterprise Technology Association; Executive Director, US AI Congress
We are two days out. On May 27 and 28, the leaders building America's AI future will gather at The National Press Club in Washington, D.C. for the inaugural US AI Congress and National AI Leadership Summit. Federal officials, state and regional economic development leadership, university and research partners, enterprise executives, defense and security practitioners, and the founders, technologists, and policy professionals shaping the next decade of artificial intelligence will be in the same room for two days. If you are joining us, here is what to expect.
What We Are Building Together
The US AI Congress is organized around three converging objectives: accelerating American AI innovation and prosperity, building AI Ready states and regions, and developing the institutions, partnerships, and workforce that will sustain American leadership in AI and emerging technology. That is not a slogan; it is the structure of the program itself.
Across both days, the agenda runs along three tracks. Main Stage programming runs throughout each day in the primary ballroom and is open to all attendees. Alongside it, the AI Ready America Breakouts and National AI Accelerator Sessions run concurrently each afternoon by invitation, convening the people doing the work of AI readiness, investment, and applied innovation across the country.
Day One: Accelerating American AI Innovation and Prosperity
Wednesday opens the Congress with a focus on America's role in global AI leadership, the build-out of AI Ready states and regions, and the institutional, economic, and national security dimensions of the AI transition.
Summer Crenshaw and I will welcome everyone to kick off the morning, followed by an officials welcome address from Senator Marsha Blackburn and a virtual address from Keith Sonderling, Acting Secretary of Labor. From there the morning moves fast: Dr. Matthew Versaggi on America's role in global AI leadership, Grant Ecker on architecting America's digital future, and short features from Caleb Max and Dr. David Edelman on competitiveness and international AI alliances.
A few sessions I am especially looking forward to:
The Vision for AI Ready America, a morning keynote fireside with Taylor Stockton and Ryan Hale.
AI Super Sector: How Ohio Is Powering America's AI Future, a featured keynote from Payal Thakur.
Building AI Ready States and Regions, a featured fireside bringing together Payal Thakur (Ohio), Kwanza Hall (Georgia), Dr. Kollin Napier (Mississippi), and Amy Forsee. This one captures the whole thesis: the states and regions that move first set the model for everyone else.
The afternoon turns into a run of working panels on the issues that matter most right now: AI security as a national priority, talent pipelines at AI speed, education in the age of AI, public service and local government, accelerating the AI economy, AI in healthcare, and AI and automation in defense, warfare, and national security. We close Day One with a national call for aligned action and open networking.
Day Two: Building an AI Ready America Together
Thursday goes deeper, with programming on AI security and trust, agentic systems, quantum computing, applied AI in manufacturing, and the development of AI-ready institutions, communities of practice, and talent pipelines.
The day begins with our Women in AI, Business, and Policy Coffee, hosted by Summer Crenshaw alongside a remarkable group of leaders, and a meet-the-authors book signing. From there:
Mission Ready: AI in the US Army, a featured fireside with Assistant Secretary Marc Andersen.
AI Access, Impact, and Our Shared Responsibility to Future Generations, a keynote from Sol Rashidi.
Developing Technical Leadership in the AI Economy and in the US Air Force, a keynote from Dr. Wendy Walsh.
Technological Convergence: Exploring the Bleeding Edge of Science and Technology, a featured keynote from Dr. Matthew Versaggi.
After lunch we get into security and governance at AI speed, a featured address on navigating the intersection of American AI and foreign investment security with Assistant Secretary Christopher Pilkerton of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and a strong afternoon of panels on building AI ready institutions, quantum computing and superintelligence, and manufacturing as the proving ground for applied AI, robotics, and advanced automation. We close with final remarks and a networking reception.
The Breakouts and the National AI Accelerator
This is where a lot of the real work happens. The AI Ready America Breakouts convene state and regional leaders, university partners, enterprise executives, and economic development professionals advancing AI readiness across the United States. The National AI Accelerator launches here at the Congress on May 27, with roundtables bringing together founders, investors, healthcare innovators, quantum computing practitioners, and local government leaders working on the next wave of applied AI.
These sessions are by invitation and space is limited. Our goal is to make sure every guest has access to at least one roundtable or breakout. If you would like to request a seat, email me directly at zack@joineta.org.
A Few Practical Notes
Eventify is the official event app for the US AI Congress. Download it on iOS or Android, or use the web version at usaicongress.eventify.io, to manage your profile, build your schedule, and connect with other attendees. You should have received an email with the passcode you need to log in; if it is not in your inbox, check your spam folder or reach out to hello@joineta.org.
Dress is business professional. Programming includes private briefings with federal officials, military leadership, and Fortune 500 executives, so plan accordingly. Bring a government-issued photo ID for check-in and plenty of business cards. Check-in and morning networking begin at 8:00 AM both days.
Venue access: Registered attendees received full venue access instructions by email, including how to enter The National Press Club and the security gate access code. The same details are available anytime in the event app under "Venue Guide." Please have that information ready on your phone or printed before you arrive.
See You in Washington
Two days, one shared mission. We are bringing together the people who can actually move this forward, and I could not be more excited about who will be in the room. If you are joining us, take a few minutes today to download the app, build your schedule, and review your Venue Guide. Then come ready to build.
See you at the National Press Club.
The US AI Congress and National AI Leadership Summit is hosted by the Enterprise Technology Association. For event questions, including breakout registration, dietary accommodations, accessibility, or special requests, contact hello@joineta.org. Learn more at joineta.org and usaicongress.org.
