October 28, 2024

Horizon hosts third annual webinar series on emerging technology policy careers

This summer, Horizon partnered with the Inclusive Abundance Initiative, the Policy Entrepreneurs Network, and the Scowcroft Institute for International Affairs at Texas A&M University to host its third annual webinar series on careers in emerging technology policy. 

Our 2024 summer webinar series, which ran from mid-July to early September, featured 14 interactive sessions designed to help individuals interested in federal AI and biosecurity policy explore potential routes into public service. Each session featured experienced policy practitioners who discussed what it’s like to work in emerging technology policy and provided actionable advice on pursuing policy careers.

A record 800 people registered for the series, which brought together more than 30 expert speakers from diverse emerging technology policy backgrounds. These speakers included:

  • Jen Easterly, Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
  • Jason Matheny, President and CEO of RAND and former White House Coordinator for Technology and National Security 
  • Gerald Parker, Director of the Pandemic and Biosecurity Policy Program at Texas A&M’s Scowcroft Institute and former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the Department of Health and Human Services and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological Defense 
  • Beth Cameron, Professor at the Brown University School of Public Health and former Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense on the National Security Council

Speakers shared lessons learned from their work across federal agencies, congressional offices, think tanks, and international organizations. They described their “day in a life” experiences in policy work, and discussed ongoing policy efforts and debates related to AI, biotechnology, and other emerging technology areas. Sessions explored exciting pathways into policy careers, including strategies for transitioning from the private sector and considerations for graduate programs, and offered concrete tips on federal job applications, navigating DC professional culture, networking, and interview preparation. Each session included extensive audience Q&A, allowing speakers to share insights specific to the backgrounds and interests of the attendees.

Lisa Einstein, Chief AI Officer at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and former Horizon Fellow, in conversation with CISA Director Jen Easterly about her career and advice for aspiring public servants.

The series was focused on inspiring and supporting people who are considering transitioning from non-traditional backgrounds into public service careers related to emerging technology. Opportunities and challenges related to emerging technology policy are interdisciplinary and require government to have access to talent with wide-ranging backgrounds. Attendees at the series included STEM PhDs and scientists in academia; lawyers, philosophers, historians, and social scientists with an interest in technology; engineers and data scientists working in industry; teachers, law enforcement officers, and nurses; and many others.   

Through events like the summer webinar series, we aim to demystify public service careers and level the playing field for people who don’t have easy access to relevant information and support networks. This work is central to building a robust emerging technology policy ecosystem.  

The 2024 summer webinar series joins a growing list of Horizon events and resources created in pursuit of this mission. Based on hundreds of hours of research and dozens of interviews with policy professionals, our website project emergingtechpolicy.org provides expert advice and resources for people interested in public service and emerging technology. Our events and workshops allow attendees to learn about relevant opportunities, build their network, and receive actionable tips on pivoting their careers. These recently included our Game Changers Workshop, co-hosted with the Brown University Pandemic Center, and the first virtual hiring forum focused on bringing more AI talent into government organized through the TechToGov coalition. We also run an annual fellowship program that places subject-matter experts in roles across federal agencies, congressional offices, and think tanks.

To stay updated on new resources, upcoming events, and opportunities, sign up for our newsletter. If you’re interested in emerging technology and public service work, you can also fill out our career interest form.

We thank the Inclusive Abundance Initiative, the Policy Entrepreneurs Network, and the Scowcroft Institute for International Affairs at Texas A&M University for their partnership. We look forward to co-hosting more events with our partners to support a vibrant ecosystem enabling emerging technology policy talent to reach their full potential and pursue public service.