As Washington sharpens its focus on the regulatory, strategic, and ethical dimensions of AI, the Washington AI Network Podcast continues to provide a critical platform for meaningful conversations on the technology’s role in public policy, national security, and global competitiveness.
The show received the Communicator Award of Excellence in Science & Technology — the competition’s highest honor — in both 2025 and 2026, recognizing its role in shaping thoughtful, high-level discussions about the future of technology. The 2026 Award was for The Launch of the U.S. Tech Force in partnership with Johns Hopkins University, featuring Scott Kupor, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, about the launch of the US Tech Force and the push to bring the best technologists into government service. The conversation also features Arun Gupta, CEO of the NobleReach Foundation, a founding partner of US Tech Force; Justin Fanelli, CTO of the U.S. Navy; and Christopher Watkins, CMEIO of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.
The podcast also earned an Award of Distinction for its episode on healthcare in the age of AI featuring Ted Leonsis, founder and partner of Revolution Growth (an investor in healthcare technology company Zephyr AI) and founder and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, and Grant Verstandig, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Red Cell Partners, and co-founder and executive chairman of Zephyr AI. Their wide-ranging conversation with Haddad focused on both the promise and complexity of integrating AI into national health systems.
The Communicator Awards are presented by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA). The Communicator Awards are judged by leaders from top organizations, including Microsoft, Spotify, Google, Amazon, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Many of these episodes are recorded live at Washington AI Network gatherings — bringing together policymakers and technologists to discuss and debate the most pressing issues around AI.
The Washington AI Network is available on all podcast formats. Please subscribe on YouTube HERE.
