Exiger and Axios are uniting government officials and industry leaders for a high-level discussion on AI’s transformative role in global trade and defense systems. The May 21 Washington DC event, featuring prominent speakers including the U.S. Army Secretary and members of Congress, highlights growing recognition that AI technology is reshaping critical supply chains and international power dynamics. This invitation-only gathering represents an important confluence of public and private sector expertise at a time when technological innovation is accelerating rapidly.
The big picture: Senior policymakers and industry executives will convene at Washington DC’s InterContinental Hotel on May 21, 2025, for an exclusive event focused on AI’s impact on trade, defense, and supply chain resilience.
Key participants: The speaker lineup includes high-ranking government officials and industry leaders positioned at the intersection of technology, defense and international relations.
- Hon. Daniel Driscoll, the 26th U.S. Secretary of the Army, will share insights alongside Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who serves on both Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees.
- Representative John Moolenaar, who chairs the China Select Committee, brings expertise on U.S.-China relations, while Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman offers an international perspective.
Event format: The gathering will feature mainstage presentations followed by specialized panel discussions addressing defense innovation and healthcare supply chains.
- The program begins at 5:00 pm ET with mainstage remarks before transitioning to breakout sessions on “The Future of Global Defense Industry Innovation” and “The Future of a Robust Health Care Supply Chain.”
- A networking reception concludes the event from 6:30-8:00 pm ET, providing attendees opportunities for deeper engagement with speakers and fellow participants.
Media engagement: Axios co-founder Mike Allen will lead the event alongside senior journalists specializing in economics, defense, and politics.
- The collaboration between Exiger, a supply chain management company, and Axios, a digital news platform, brings together expertise in both industry implementation and policy communication.
- Those unable to attend in person can access live streaming coverage through a dedicated event platform.
Why this matters: By bringing together decision-makers across government, defense, and industry, the event represents a significant forum for addressing how AI technologies are reshaping international power dynamics and critical infrastructure security.
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