The 2025 AI Expo for National Competitiveness, held from June 2–4 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., brought together over 15,000 attendees from government, academia, and industry to explore the future of artificial intelligence and its role in national security and economic leadership.
For today’s episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast we give you the highlights of AI Expo, put on by the Special Competitive Studies Project – a non-partisan U.S. think tank and private foundation focused on technology and security, created by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. ClearanceJobs hosted the Talent Marketplace at the expo where companies and talent were able to meet, and career coaches were able to guide attendees, wherever they are at in thei job search.
We were surrounded by robots that walk, AI that talks, and algorithms that are not just predicting the future… but practically designing it. If you’ve ever wondered what the cutting edge of artificial intelligence looks like—from generative models and autonomous systems to ethical frameworks and quantum-enhanced AI—you’re in the right place.
Let’s talk trends. Because AI in 2025 is not just about smarter tools—it’s about deeper integration into every layer of society. We’re seeing AI co-pilots for teachers, AI-assisted surgery, even AI negotiators in the legal world. And let’s not forget multi-modal intelligence—we’re way past just text or images. Now we’re seeing models that can process video, speech, charts, and even 3D environments—all at once. One phrase we keep hearing here at the Expo is “Edge AI.” That’s AI happening on-device, in real time, with no cloud connection needed. Think AI in your earbuds, cars, or wearables—privacy-friendly, super fast, and surprisingly powerful.
Voices at the expo
We enjoyed a riveting panel discussion with National Laboratory Directors during National Labs and AI. And at Lightning Round: Accelerating Discovery with AI and Biotechology, key experts shared their vision for what’s ahead.At The Exchange, we heard from leaders such as Her Excellency Bi-khim Hsiao, Vice President of Taiwan; The Honorable John Phelan, Secretary of the Navy; The Honorable Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the Army; Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of USINDOPACOM; and Doug Beck, Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, and many others on how innovation in national security is the key to success.
The AI Expo Hackathon kicked off the first day, and we were really impressed by the skills and ingenuity that were on display.
On the AI Careers stage, we heard from Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, Assistant Director Dr. James Moore from the National Science Foundation, and Dr. Kelly Williams from Oklahoma City’s Office of Innovation. The Talent Marketplace buzzed with energy as attendees networked, explored opportunities, and made meaningful career connections.
Okay, let’s talk about the fun stuff. My favorite demo? The drone competition in the middle of the expo floor where folks from all backgrounds tested their drone skills. It was wild. And you also could get your face drawn by a machine, saw how AI was helping those with disabilities, and how veterans can leverage AI in their job search or post transition.
If there’s one takeaway from the 2025 AI Expo, it’s this: the future isn’t about humans versus machines—it’s about meaningful partnerships. Tools that extend what we can do, not replace who we are. But with great power comes great… yep, responsibility. Regulation, explainability, data rights—all of it is moving from the sidelines to center stage.
If you were at the expo—we’d love to hear what’s blown your mind. Follow us on socials @ClearanceJobs for video clips, speaker highlights, and more from the 2025 AI Expo. Until next time—stay curious, stay critical, and stay one step ahead.
