The Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) is on a mission to ensure the U.S. is organized to lead in a rapidly evolving global landscape shaped by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. I sat down with SCSP’s Ryan Carpenter and Nandita Balakrishnan to discuss the organization’s major initiatives, including the AI + Expo taking place June 2–4 in Washington, D.C., and a newly launched Coursera course tailored for national security professionals.
The AI + Expo brings together voices from government, academia, and industry to explore the intersection of AI with sectors like energy, biotech, defense, and robotics. More than a typical tech conference, the Expo includes an “AI + Career Stage” featuring rapid-fire talks, a talent marketplace (powered by ClearanceJobs), university recruitment booths, and a hackathon—making it accessible and actionable for students and mid-career professionals alike.
Carpenter emphasized the importance of building infrastructure that outlasts individual careers, comparing the initiative to transformative projects like the Interstate Highway System. Balakrishnan underscored the need to support and upskill those in the national security sector—especially mid-career professionals—through the SCSP’s free, self-paced Coursera course, AI and National Security. The course offers hands-on exercises and case studies to help learners apply AI concepts to their real-world roles.
Whether you’re a student, technologist, policymaker, or career professional, the AI + Expo and SCSP’s educational offerings provide critical pathways for adapting to AI’s growing role in shaping national competitiveness. Click the links above to register and sign up for the course, and hear the whole conversation.
