Look back on Forum Global’s inaugural USA Artificial Intelligence Summit

Convening in Washington, D.C. on June 3rd 2025, the inaugural USA Artificial Intelligence Summit brought together senior policymakers, industry leaders, and AI experts to discuss the nation’s approach to AI development, adoption, and governance amidst an evolving global AI landscape. 

Building on the success of the International AI Summit, this event marked Forum Global’s first time hosting AI governance discussions in the U.S., laying the groundwork for future dialogue and collaboration with a new and influential audience. With keynote addresses from Jay Obernolte, Vice Chair of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus, U.S. House of Representatives, and Melissa Holyoak, Commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission, the summit served as a premier platform for over 150  delegates representing the full breadth of the artificial intelligence ecosystem in the US and beyond. Together, they explored the United States’ evolving strategy for securing global leadership in AI.

The event’s resonance was clear, with a combined total LinkedIn reach of thirty thousand, and 418 likes, #AI2025USA saw significant traction.

Key discussions focused on the forthcoming AI Action Plan anticipated under the Trump administration, the evolving relationship between state-level initiatives and federal oversight, and the critical expansion of AI infrastructure needed to enhance U.S. competitiveness on the global stage. The event also cast a spotlight on America’s role in shaping international AI norms, raising timely questions around the influence of geopolitics, trust in AI systems, national security imperatives, and economic competitiveness on policymaking. As the global AI race intensifies, delegates also examined how these forces are reshaping the international landscape and driving divergent regulatory approaches across borders.

Representative Jay Obernolte, Vice Chair of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus, U.S. House of Representatives addresses the audience via video message.

Thanking attendees for their continued dedication to advancing AI governance and reflecting on key findings from the House Artificial Intelligence Taskforce, Representative Obernolte’s keynote underscored the importance of striking a balance between mitigating the risks posed by AI and unlocking its transformative potential to drive innovation, productivity, and societal progress.

‘’I know that I probably speak for everyone in this room when I say that AI is one of the most promising technologies humankind has ever invented. But it also comes with very real risks, and we, as a society, need to balance those risks against the benefits and come up with a governance structure for AI that balances, on the one hand, the need to protect people against the risks of malicious use and deployment of AI, against, on the other hand, the need to allow this amazing technology to create innovation and to increase human productivity. I’m a firm believer that we can do both of these seemingly insurmountable goals.’’
Representative Jay Obernolte, Vice Chair of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus, U.S. House of Representatives.

His address echoed many of the core themes that would resonate throughout the day’s discussions. Chief among them, the imperative to reconcile AI’s vast potential with its inherent risks, and the crucial role that thoughtful regulation must play in achieving this balance. Indeed, these ideas set the stage for the opening panel session, which examined the evolving and often fragmented regulatory landscape across the United States. Representative Giovanni Capriglione (Texas), Delegate Michelle Lopes Maldonado (Virginia), and Senator Kirk Cullimore (Utah) offered perspectives on the growing role of state governments in shaping AI policy - in the context of the release of the draft of the 2025 budget reconciliation bill which proposes a 10-year moratorium on state AI-related bills.

Session 2 at the USA Artificial Intelligence Summit 2025, titled ‘’Powering the Future: Delivering the Infrastructure
To Support US AI Leadership.

In Session 2, titled “Powering the Future: Delivering the Infrastructure to Support U.S. AI Leadership,” panelists including Tess deBlanc-Knowles of the National Science Foundation and Neelesh Nerurkar of the U.S. Department of Energy emphasised the urgent need for resilient infrastructure to unlock AI’s full transformative potential. The discussion focused on the strategic challenges the U.S. faces in scaling up the physical and digital foundations of AI innovation, particularly the need to expand national compute capacity, enhance data infrastructure, and ensure access to stable, affordable, and sustainable energy. Panelists highlighted that meeting the demands of next-generation AI systems will require coordinated public and private investment, forward-looking policies, and a long-term vision to ensure the U.S. remains competitive in the global AI race.

Opening a full afternoon of discussion, FTC Commissioner Melissa Holyoak explored the future of AI development and its implications for business competition. In the subsequent session, this theme resurfaced. Bringing together industry leaders, public sector representatives, and governance experts, “AI in Practice: Innovation and Real-World Impact’’ explored how AI is currently being deployed responsibly and at scale across key sectors of the economy. Offering insights into both the present landscape and future trajectory of AI, speakers such as Dr. Mike Horton, Chief AI Intelligence Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation, and Dr. Sterling Thomas, Chief Scientist at the Government Accountability Office, discussed strategies for effective AI deployment, along with the broader opportunities to harness AI’s transformative power for economic growth and societal progress. The conversation highlighted both the successes and challenges of AI adoption, providing real-world examples of implementation and reflecting on how AI systems are expected to evolve in the medium and long term.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Melissa Holyoak delivers a keynote address at the USA Artificial
Intelligence Summit. 

Turning to the vital issue of public trust, Session 4 addressed the complex challenge of fostering confidence in AI systems. The discussion focused on the critical importance of transparency, fairness, and accountability in building a trustworthy AI ecosystem. Roman Jankowski, Chief Privacy Officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and other panelists tackled key concerns including data privacy, bias mitigation, ethical deployment practices, intellectual property rights, and legal accountability. Questions surrounding job displacement, worker empowerment, and the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling were central to the conversation, highlighting the need for holistic policies that support not only technological advancement but also social resilience and inclusion.

Concluding the inaugural USA Artificial Intelligence Summit, Session 5: “From Competition to Cooperation: The U.S. Role in Defining the Global AI Order”, shifted the lens outward, offering a platform to reflect on America’s international responsibilities and strategic influence in shaping the future of global AI governance.

Divided into two parts, Session 5a explored the delicate intersection of innovation, cooperation, and security. Key questions revolved around how the U.S. can simultaneously safeguard national security, maintain its economic leadership, and foster a trusted, innovation-driven AI ecosystem. Panelists, including MEP Brando Benifei, Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the United States in the European Parliament, and Gregory C. Allen, Director of the Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), addressed the strategic implications of export controls, the evolving foreign policy landscape under the Trump administration, and the enduring geopolitical challenge posed by China. The conversation illuminated how these dynamics are shaping U.S. policy decisions and reverberating through the broader global AI landscape.

"It was a pleasure to join the USA AI Summit and exchange views with leading voices on both sides of the Atlantic. As global competition intensifies, export controls and fragmented approaches risk undermining trust and supply chain resilience. The discussion confirmed the urgent need for coordinated, value-based frameworks to ensure both security and innovation across borders."
Brando Benifei, Member, European Parliament and Chair of the Delegation for relations with the United States.

In Session 5b, the conversation turned toward diplomacy, international engagement, and shared responsibility. Ambassador Karen Kornbluh, former U.S. Ambassador to the OECD and former Deputy Director of the Office of Science and Technology at the White House, joined other thought leaders to explore how U.S. regulatory approaches may influence international frameworks. With global stakeholders looking to the U.S. for leadership, discussions examined how to strengthen ties with both established and emerging powers while promoting the development of a consistent, values-driven international regulatory framework. The session also emphasised the importance of democratising AI access and supporting inclusive development in low and middle income countries. Conversations therefore highlighted the need for a cooperative, ethical, and globally aligned AI future.


Session 5a, titled ''AI, Allies, and Adversaries: Ensuring Innovation, Cooperation, and Security'' at the inaugural USA AI Summit.

Forum Global would like to thank all speakers and delegates who participated in the event, and particularly to our event sponsors and partners: Platinum Sponsors, Intuit and Workday; Gold Sponsor Kirkland and Ellis; and Media Partner MLex.

Should you wish to be involved in upcoming editions of this event, please reach out to the team via email at ai-conference@forum-europe.com.

Stay up to date on future Forum Global and Forum Europe events by signing up to our event emails for the industries that interest you, here.