As the potential for generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) expands, so does the interest in harnessing GenAI in facilitating and stimulating economic growth. In this half-day conference, leading academics and public and private industry experts considered pressing questions related to GenAI's potential to support economic development and its implications for the workforce.
The first panel session discussed how GenAI can be explicitly used to stimulate economic growth and explore the potential for public-private relationships to do so. The panel also explored the role of both federal and local governments in promoting the use of GenAI for this purpose.
The second panel session considered the impact of GenAI on the workforce and how to anticipate and fill the skill gaps that are likely to arise. The panel also focused on the role of public-private relationships in ensuring that the workforce can move to a GenAI economy in a productive and ethical manner.
The conference concluded with a summary of key takeaways and concluding remarks followed by a reception.
This event was co-sponsored by Georgetown University's Global Economic Challenges Network and Tech & Public Policy Program at the McCourt School of Public Policy with Accenture LLP.
Schedule
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Registration
1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Tom DeLeire, Interim Dean, Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy
- Francis Vella, Edmond V. Villani Professor, Georgetown University
- Steven Walker (opening remarks), Chief of Staff, U.S. Health and Public Service Group, Accenture
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Panel Session 1: GenAI Investment, Technology, and Economic Development
Moderated by Kevin Gallagher, Senior Advisor, Accenture
Panelists:
- Jennifer Franks, Director, Center for Enhanced Cybersecurity, U.S. Government Accountability Office
- Bryan Rich, Global AI Lead, PublicSector, Accenture
- Elham Tabassi, Associate Director for Emerging Technologies, National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Stephen Miller, Chief Technology Officer, Government of the District of Columbia
Topics:
- What are global trends associated with leveraging GenAI for economic development? What are lighthouse examples of public-private partnerships leading on GenAI?
- How are the states leading on GenAI?
- How can the United States leverage funding and policies (i.e. the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors Act, or CHIPS Act) to accelerate adoption of GenAI?
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Coffee Break
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Panel Session 2: Preparing and Upskilling Local Workforces for AI Revolution
Moderated by Harry J. Holzer, John LaFarge, Jr. S.J. Chair and Professor, Georgetown University
Panelists:
- Scott Jensen, Director of Workforce Strategy for the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors Act (CHIPS), U.S. Department of Commerce
- Alejandra Montoya-Boyer, Senior Director, Center for Civil Rights and Technology, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
- Jennifer Sanford, Senior Director, International Trade and Workforce Policy, Cisco Systems
- Chike Aguh, Labor and Workforce Global Luminary, Accenture
Topics:
- How can we identify skills gaps in the workforce and address future AI-driven job market needs?
- How can reskilling and upskilling programs, alongside government and higher education efforts, address states’ need for advanced tech roles? What is the necessary collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure successful workforce transitions to AI-integrated roles?
- What is the role of training in helping to promote effective and ethical GenAI implementation?
5:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Closing Remarks
- Eyal Darmon, Americas Public Service Data and AI Lead, Accenture
- Michelle De Mooy, Director, Tech & Public Policy Program, Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy
5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Reception
Featured
Chike Aguh is the labor and workforce global luminary at Accenture. A recognized authority on the future of work, economic opportunity, and innovation, Aguh is committed to an economy that creates opportunity for all.
Eyal Darmon (closing remarks) is the Americas public service data and AI lead at Accenture. He works with clients across the public sector and higher education to help them take advantage of GenAI and AI innovations.
Tom DeLeire (opening remarks) is the interim dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. His research centers on improving health care access and outcomes, especially through policies like Medicaid expansion and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.
Michelle De Mooy (closing remarks) is the director of the Tech & Public Policy Program at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. With over 20 years of experience in emerging tech and public policy, she focuses on AI, privacy, and platform accountability.
Jennifer Franks is a director in the information technology and cybersecurity team at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. She leads cybersecurity efforts focused on privacy, data protection, and securing federal IT infrastructure, including health care systems.
Kevin Gallagher (moderator) is a senior advisor at Accenture. Most recently, he served as the senior advisor to Secretary Gina Raimondo at the U.S. Department of Commerce, focusing on critical areas like telecommunications, emerging technologies, and workforce development.
Harry J. Holzer (moderator) is the John LaFarge, Jr. S.J. Chair and professor at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy and a former chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor.
Scott Jensen is the director of workforce strategy for CHIPS at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he drives nationwide efforts to align skilled talent pipelines with semiconductor goals. Previously, he served as CEO of a tech-for-social-impact nonprofit.
Stephen Miller is the chief technology officer for the government of the District of Columbia. During his more than 20-year career he has worked as a software developer, technologist, and operations manager in the government sector.
Alejandra Montoya-Boyer is the senior director for the Center for Civil Rights and Technology at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. With a strong background in policy and technology, she has driven initiatives to advance digital equity and racial justice.
Bryan Rich is a senior managing director at Accenture, leading AI for public sector, defense, and health, and heads the new generative AI lab in Europe. With over 20 years of experience, he has driven AI solutions for government clients globally.
Jennifer Sanford is the senior manager for international trade and energy and environment policy at Cisco Systems. Previously, she directed trade policy at the American Electronics Association, driving key legislative wins like Trade Promotion Authority.
Elham Tabassi is a senior scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the associate director for emerging technologies in NIST's Information Technology Laboratory. She leads NIST's Trustworthy and Responsible AI program.
Francis Vella (opening remarks) is the Edmond V. Villani Professor at Georgetown University and a research associate of Centre for Microdata Methods and Practice (CEMMAP), Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), and Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
Steven Walker (opening remarks) is the chief of staff for the U.S. health and public service group at Accenture. A project and change management professional, Walker has over 20 years of experience at Accenture.