Week 2: Chief AI officers, health law policy summits, conversation with INFlow COO, and more
Federal agencies gear up for AI transformation, Waymo lays the groundwork for robotaxis in DC, and major publishers want the U.S. government to “stop AI theft.”
⏰Time to read for: ~5 minutes (1,325 words)
🔔White House mandates AI officers in federal agencies
On April 7, the White House directed federal agencies to appoint chief AI officers and develop strategies to expand the government’s use of artificial intelligence.
Why it matters: While President Biden also called on agencies to name chief AI officers, the new White House memo rescinded two orders that would require agencies to adopt safeguards to protect people’s rights and place restrictions on AI acquisitions.
Notable quote: “Agencies must ‘maximize the use of American-made AI.’”
📃Policy
Bipartisan Policy Center launches AI and energy task force
Why it matters: This task force aims to shape federal policy at the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy, addressing challenges and opportunities in these sectors.
Washington, DC, faces budget crisis after House leaves $1.1 billion hole in city coffers — AP News
Hearing: Reducing waste, fraud, and abuse through innovation: How AI & data can improve government efficiency — U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee
AI Health law policy summit 2025 — Hogan Lovells
⚡️Company spotlight — INFlow Federal
INFlow Federal is a government contractor specializing in cybersecurity and digital modernization, providing services to various U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense.
In our newest DC Decoded episode, I chat with Ryan Malani, the company’s Chief Operating We discuss INFlow's mission, the opportunities for and challenges of securing government networks, and the state of AI in DC.
Ep 5: Cybersecurity with Ryan Malani
There’s a lot of change going on with the federal government. It’s hard to keep up.
💸Business
Waymo plans robotaxi launch in DC by 2026
Point of interest: Waymo will also “work closely with policymakers to formalize the regulations needed to operate without a human behind the wheel in the District.”
D.C. defense logistics startup Gallatin AI emerges from stealth with $15M in funding — DCINNO
Charlottesville's Avant Genomics a finalist in $1M TitletownTech pitch competition — RICHMONDINNO
Major publishers call on the US government to ‘Stop AI theft’ — The Verge
🌹Culture
IAPP global privacy summit 2025 is in DC (April 23-24)
By the numbers: “The 2025 agenda features more than 80 breakout sessions on specific topics. Among them are: Fine-tuning AI and Algorithms with Real-Live Data; Empowering the Next Generation: Global Strategies for Child Safety and Privacy; and Users First: An Interactive Session on User-Centric Privacy Threat Modeling. Explore the agenda for sessions relevant to you.”
Georgetown University juried AI art competition — Georgetown’s Tech, Ethics, and Society program
BLOOMING WONDERS exhibit — ARTECHOUSE DC
Recap 2: The perfect AI happy hour
In just our second-ever Substack live, GenAI DC lead Catherine and GenAI DC chapter Operations lead Anna D’Aprile join DC chapter Creative Director and host of DC Decoded, Sam Li to recap the chapter’s most recent event: the “perfect” happy hour.
Upcoming GenAI DC events
AI insiders roundtable — Wednesday, April 16
Notion x DC Decoded series: Notion AI, Notion Calendar, Notion Mail — starting next month. Details coming very soon!
What is this newsletter?
Every week on Tuesday morning, you can expect to get a curated list of stories happening across policy, business, and culture…all about AI in DC. Plus, the latest GenAI DC content and upcoming events!
Brought to you by Sam Li, Creative Director of the GenAI DC chapter.
Have a good story for next week’s edition? Send Sam a message below.
