2024 Congressional Boot Camp: Day 2 Agenda

Stanford HAI staff will lead a discussion debriefing the key concepts that staffers learned in earlier sessions. They will also offer a preview of Day 2 and leave ample time for questions.

AI has the potential to dramatically improve education. From teacher support to personalized student engagement, AI could democratize extraordinary teaching and learning. But dangers and concerns loom. Collecting data from children raises privacy concerns, and current inequities in the education system might be exacerbated by the introduction of AI. This session will look into how AI can be leveraged to improve the education system without causing harm to teachers and students.

15-minute break

Some of the most exciting advances of this technological wave are focused on healthcare: faster and better diagnoses, enhanced therapies, increased hospital standards which reduce patient harms, and protein folding which has the potential to cure debilitating diseases. Healthcare is on the cusp of a revolution that will advance human well-being. At the same time, the United States faces an incredible shortage of qualified healthcare workers, lacks proper evaluation of medical devices, and struggles with unclear liability risk/clinician responsibility. These mounting challenges raise the question, can AI help “save” the U.S. healthcare system? This session will highlight the coming changes in healthcare, the opportunities and risks AI presents, and how policies can ensure safe and robust health systems.

AI and automation will have a rippling effect on today’s workforce and the future of work. Mainstream narratives forecast AI will displace workers and funnel profits up to a select few. Alternatively, AI has the potential to augment and supercharge labor, ensuring the benefits of AI are spread and enjoyed widely. This session dives into deeper detail regarding what exactly we should expect as AI and automation integrate into the economy and the subsequent consequences for the workforce. The panelists will also discuss how policies can reshape and guide what the future holds.

45-minute break

The U.S. government is in great need of a technological upgrade. From streamlining administrative processes to providing personalized services to constituents, there is ample opportunity for AI to help government agencies achieve their missions. However, integrating AI into the government is not as easy as obtaining and deploying the technology. Talent, infrastructure, public trust, and morale play equally important roles in ensuring the successful modernization of government. This session will dive into current use-cases of AI in government, the challenges and successes of these cases, and how to improve the integration of new technologies that will help the government serve its citizens.

Silicon Valley, which is home to venture capital, startups, and leading tech firms, is a global center of tech innovation. From the startup lab to the boardrooms of major companies, this session will bring together startup founders and tech executives to map out Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem, discuss its vibrancy, and critically think about the consequences of AI developments on society. Panelists will offer their perspectives on starting, funding, and running successful companies as well as providing counsel to companies on ensuring ethical business practices.

The introduction of AI into society has had ripple effects on governments worldwide. Disinformation spreading on digital platforms—further amplified by AI—has had real-world consequences on democracy. Additionally, authoritarian countries are leveraging AI to further surveil and control their populations. The future of democracy hangs in the balance of making sure AI is used to affirm democratic systems and reinforce norms and values for the betterment of humanity. This dinner discussion will unpack the complexities of AI as it intertwines with different governments and considers how to ensure democracy prevails in a digital world.