The Axios AI+DC Summit is an annual event organized by Axios, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence and public policy. The 2026 summit, held on March 25 in Washington, D.C., brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and technologists to discuss AI's transformative impact on various sectors, including defense, healthcare, and the economy.
Key topics included the need for a new workforce to support AI infrastructure, with Meta's Dina Powell McCormick highlighting the demand for 500,000 electricians in the next two years. Discussions also addressed the economic disruptions caused by AI, with Senator Mark Warner expressing concerns over rising unemployment rates among recent college graduates. Additionally, the summit featured conversations on AI's role in defense, emphasizing the growing collaboration between commercial tech companies and the defense sector to enhance innovation and efficiency.
The event provided networking opportunities with leaders from organizations such as Accenture Federal Services, Adobe, Anthropic, and UnitedHealth Group. Notable speakers included Senator Josh Hawley, who discussed social media regulation, and Representative Deborah Ross, who advocated for state-level AI regulation. The summit also featured a live demonstration of AI's capabilities in identity verification and deepfake detection by MicroLink CEO Hartley Thompson.
The Axios AI+DC Summit is ideal for policymakers, technologists, business leaders, and academics interested in understanding AI's societal implications and exploring collaborative solutions to the challenges and opportunities it presents.
Speakers(16)
Amjad Masad
Co-founder and CEO at Replit
Amjad Masad is the Co-founder and CEO of Replit, a platform that enables users to write, run, and share code in any programming language.
Bryan Heisey
Principal of Operations at Cortina Productions
Bryan Heisey is the Principal of Operations at Cortina Productions, specializing in event production and management.
Craig Martell
Chief Technology Officer at Lockheed Martin
Craig Martell is the Chief Technology Officer at Lockheed Martin, overseeing the company's technological advancements and innovations.
Dina Powell McCormick
President and Vice Chairman at Meta
Dina Powell McCormick serves as President and Vice Chairman at Meta, focusing on the company's global operations and strategic initiatives.
Dr. Mark Esper
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense at U.S. Department of Defense
Dr. Mark Esper served as the 27th U.S. Secretary of Defense, leading the Department of Defense from 2019 to 2020.
Franck Cordes
Capital Campaign Project Director at National Archives Foundation
Franck Cordes is the Capital Campaign Project Director at the National Archives Foundation, leading fundraising efforts for the National Archives.
Hartley Thompson
Chief Executive Officer at Microblink
Hartley Thompson is the Chief Executive Officer of Microblink, a company specializing in AI-powered document recognition technology.
Jacob Helberg
Former Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs at U.S. Department of State
Jacob Helberg served as the 22nd Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, focusing on economic diplomacy and policy.
Joe Dominguez
President and CEO at Constellation
Joe Dominguez is the President and CEO of Constellation, a leading energy company providing sustainable energy solutions.
Kathleen Hicks
Deputy Secretary of Defense at U.S. Department of Defense
Kathleen Hicks serves as the Deputy Secretary of Defense, overseeing the Department of Defense's operations and policies.
Michael Kratsios
Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy at White House
Michael Kratsios serves as the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, overseeing the administration's science and technology policy initiatives.
Rep. Deborah Ross
U.S. Representative at U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Deborah Ross represents North Carolina's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving on the House Judiciary Committee.
Rep. Kat Cammack
U.S. Representative at U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Kat Cammack represents Florida's 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving on the House Agriculture Committee.
Senator Josh Hawley
U.S. Senator at U.S. Senate
Senator Josh Hawley represents Missouri in the U.S. Senate, focusing on issues related to technology, privacy, and national security.
Senator Mark Warner
U.S. Senator at U.S. Senate
Senator Mark Warner represents Virginia in the U.S. Senate, serving as the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and focusing on technology and cybersecurity.
Stephen Miller
Chief Technology Officer at Washington, D.C.
Stephen Miller serves as the Chief Technology Officer for Washington, D.C., overseeing the city's technology initiatives.
Event Details
- Date
- March 25, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Washington D.C., United States
- Washington, D.C.
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Policymakers, technologists, business leaders, academics
- CLE Credits
- CLE accreditation pending
- Attendees
- Not specified