As artificial intelligence reshapes global governance, economic systems, and social frameworks, the urgent need for accessibility and inclusion has become a pivotal challenge in technology policy.

On June 26, ORF America hosted policy experts for a discussion on the critical intersection of artificial intelligence accessibility. The conversation emphasized the need for truly inclusive artificial intelligence, especially in the context of rising aging populations, increasing conflicts and mass disabling events, and the ongoing energy-accessibility paradox in our evolving digital landscape.

This was the 14th convening of ORF America’s Briefings & Beer series, which offers young professionals in D.C. the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts and network with peers.

Speakers: 

• Ann Cody, Former Senior Advisor on Disability Rights, State Department

• Ariana Aboulafia, Project Lead, Disability Rights in Technology Policy, Center for Democracy and Technology

• Henry Claypool, Technology Policy Consultant, American Association of People with Disabilities

• Moderator: Katherine Salinas, Senior Program Coordinator, Technology Policy, ORF America

On June 16, ORF America co-hosted a closed-door workshop with Carnegie India on U.S.–India Technology Cooperation: Next Steps for TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology). The workshop convened representatives from government, academia, and private defense and technology firms to discuss how the United States and India can accelerate the development of AI infrastructure and advance defense industrial cooperation. The goal of the workshop was to discuss opportunities to build on these priorities — particularly through the Quad Leaders’ Summit later this year and the AI Summit in February next year, both hosted by India.

Session one focused on policies and regulations necessary to expand development of and access to AI infrastructure in India and the United States. Participants highlighted the value of leveraging India’s human capital, scale, local innovation ecosystem, and its position as a trusted partner in the Global South. Additionally, harmonizing differing approaches to AI access between the United States and India was raised as an important priority.

Session two explored next steps for U.S.-India defense cooperation through initiatives such as TRUST and ASIA (Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance). Participants emphasized the need to learn from past cooperation initiatives to understand what worked and what could be done differently. They discussed the need for new procurement mechanisms, better export control alignment, and greater clarity on operational requirements to help facilitate deeper industrial cooperation. The discussion also touched on the role for autonomous capabilities within India’s force modernization plans.

On the sidelines of the SCSP AI+ Expo for National Competitiveness, ORF America and the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) launched the U.S.-India Technology Cooperation Track 1.5 Dialogue. Over 60 senior participants and thought leaders from government, industry, civil society, and academia candidly discussed issues and opportunities tied to greater U.S.-India cooperation on AI and other technologies.

After welcome remarks from Samir Saran, President of ORF, Ylli Bajraktari, President & CEO of SCSP, and Mathew Oommen, Group CEO of Jio Platforms Limited, both spoke about deepening U.S.-India bilateral ties and the need to advance the agenda under the TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative announced by Prime Minister Modi and President Trump in February 2025. Through the lens of practical cooperation in four key areas — AI infrastructure and data centers, specific domains and applications, relevant policies and mechanisms, and talent — U.S. and Indian participants shared perspectives on meaningful actions in priority sectors such as semiconductors, defense tech, large language models and data, and energy.

The U.S.-India Technology Cooperation Track 1.5 Dialogue will be complementary to existing fora, leverage ORF America’s existing efforts on AI, and provide inputs to the U.S. and Indian governments and relevant industry ahead of the Fall 2025 Quad Summit and the 2026 AI Impact Summit, both to be hosted in India. The initiative aims to identify clear needs for each side and provide targeted recommendations for leveraging the United States and India’s respective strengths in bilateral cooperation on critical and emerging technologies.

On May 1, ORF America hosted policy experts for a discussion on critical minerals, whose expansive applications in defense, tech, and energy, impact national security and present some very pressing geopolitical questions. The conversation included insights on the U.S. Critical Minerals strategy, mineral processing streams, mineral categorization, and dual use minerals. 

This was the 13th convening of ORF America’s Briefings & Beer series, which offers young professionals in D.C. the opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts and network with peers.

Speakers: 

• Leilani Gonzalez, Chief of Staff and Policy Director, Zero Emissions Transportation Association

• John Jacobs, Senior Policy Analyst (Energy), Bipartisan Policy Center

• Mahnaz Khan, Vice President of Policy, Critical Mineral Supply Chains, Silverado Policy Accelerator and Nonresident Senior Fellow GeoTech Center, Atlantic Council 

• Moderator: Medha Prasanna, Program Coordinator and Junior Fellow, ORF America

On April 17, ORF America hosted a private roundtable discussion titled, “Cyber Diplomacy: Alternative Pathways,” bringing together cyber diplomats and experts. The session examined the theme of solutions-driven international cybersecurity cooperation efforts that complement the UN processes, including the Counter Ransomware Initiative, the Pall Mall Process, and international cyber capacity-building initiatives led by NGOs and regional organizations.

Brief opening remarks were provided by: 

• Ms. Sheila Flynn, Office Director, Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, Department of State

• Dr. James A. Lewis

• Ms. Allison Pytlak, Senior Fellow and Director, Cyber Program, Stimson Center

The session was moderated by Mr. Bruce McConnell, Distinguished Fellow, ORF America.

Learn more about ORF America’s ongoing Global Cyber Policy Dialogues here.

On February 27, ORF America hosted a private roundtable to explore how the United States can cooperate with partners and allies to diversify and strengthen critical mineral supply chains. The discussion sought to address the effectiveness of alternative critical minerals supply solutions, the impact of China’s export controls on clean-tech markets and industries, and whether existing partnerships must be reevaluated to consider long-term goals and potential domestic contradictions.

Critical minerals are key inputs into advanced technology manufacturing and products, including crucial advances in emerging energy technology and electric vehicles. With friction and competition between the United States and China continuing in critical and emerging technologies advancement, export controls (as well as the threat of higher tariffs) have increased tensions. Over the same period, the People’s Republic of China initially implemented several soft licensing controls with an explicit ban on exports to the United States of gallium, germanium, and antimony, as well as restrictions on high-purity graphite exports, with further limits implemented in early 2025. 

The United States, allied governments, U.S. companies, and allied and partner companies, well aware of China’s chokehold over raw mining or processing of certain critical minerals, rare earths, and critical materials, established the Mineral Security Partnership to address these challenges through partners like Japan, Australia, the European Union, India, and many others as well as exploring domestic discovery, mining, and processing options. However, many large economies' medium-term needs for critical minerals in clean energy face supply risks (e.g., import dependence, availability to meet demand) for several minerals. 

The roundtable was attended by officials from the U.S. Department of State, members of the European Commission, representatives from the diplomatic corps, business groups, think tanks, and consultancy firms.

Speakers: 

• Moderator: Jeffrey D. Bean, Program Manager, ORF America

• Barbara Glowacka, Member of the Cabinet, Office of the Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, European Commission 

• Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America

• Mahnaz Khan, Vice President of Policy, Critical Supply Chains, Silverado Policy Accelerator

• Eike Klapper, First Secretary - Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs/Trade and Agriculture Section, Delegation of the European Union to the United States 

• Michael Newbill, Senior Advisor, Critical Mineral Supply Chains, U.S. Department of State

• Amb. Geoffrey R. Pyatt, Former Assistant Secretary of State, ENR Bureau, U.S. Department of State

• Aditya Ramji, Director, India ZEV Center at UC Davis 

Ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to DC, ORF America hosted a series of discussions on the future of the U.S.-India partnership. The program was attended by officials from the U.S. government, embassies, private sector, think tanks, academia, media, and international organizations.

Panel 1: Deepening Strategic Relations

• Lindsey Ford, former Senior Director for South Asia, National Security Council

• Sameer Lalwani, Senior Expert on South Asia, U.S. Institute of Peace

• Walter Russell Mead, Distinguished Fellow, The Hudson Institute

• Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America (moderator)

Panel 2: Implications for Trade and Business

• Amy Hariani, Senior Advisor, U.S.-India Business Council

• Richard Rossow, Senior Advisor and Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics, Center for Strategic & International Studies

• Anand Shah, Partner, The Asia Group

• Anthony Renzulli, Associate Partner, Albright Stonebridge Group, and Non-Resident Fellow, ORF America (moderator)

On December 10, ORF America and ORF launched the Global Diaspora Forum with a gathering between leading diaspora members of India and Armenia. At the inaugural meeting of the Global Diaspora Forum, Indian-American and Armenian-American technology leaders and practitioners discussed the role of emerging technologies as a catalyst for economic growth, shared and emerging geopolitical challenges, and how diaspora networks can be better leveraged for a more innovative and resilient future.

About the Global Diaspora Forum:

India is among many countries to enjoy a large and successful diaspora, including in the United States. Indian-Americans are among the wealthiest and most educated communities in the country, and have risen to leadership positions in business, politics, science, and the arts. Indian-Americans also serve as important bridges between India and the United States. Similar trends can be observed among Indian communities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and elsewhere. 

Creating a network of prominent members of the Indian diaspora from around the world with counterparts associated with like-minded countries represents a major opportunity. A Global Diaspora Forum - anchored by ORF and its affiliates - will help link members of the Indian diaspora to counterparts from other communities around the world. It will help create networks, identify shared areas of concern, and explore opportunities for business and policy collaboration. 

Speakers:

• Hakob Arshakyan, Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Science and Technology Development Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of Armenia and Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia

• Vinod Dham, Founder and Executive Managing Partner, IndoUS Venture Partners

• Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, ORF America

• Khanderao Kand, President, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies

• Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation

• Yervant Zorian, Chairman, APRI Armenia; Vice President, Armenian General Benevolent Union; President, Synopsys Armenia

On October 16, ORF America hosted the fifth Chips for Breakfast, a private roundtable to facilitate frank conversations among a select group of U.S. and foreign government officials, industry representatives, and policy experts about the current state of U.S. semiconductor policy,  technology leadership, and collaboration with like-minded partners.

With numerous companies seeking to develop, train, and operationalize large language models and other applied AI uses, the workhorses of artificial intelligence - particularly advanced graphics processing units and advanced compute hyperscalers - are crucial. Yet the bottleneck of data centers and ultimately, hardware, remains a key limitation for AI researchers and the private sector, as parallel processing remains essential. At the same time, the United States and its partners and allies are also wrestling with regulatory and governance considerations on a host of issues tied to AI. Differences in preferred regulatory approaches are starting to become more salient, but are not yet institutionalized.

Against the backdrop of more than two years since the passage of the CHIPS & Science Act, this meeting focused on advanced compute and artificial intelligence. It sought to address key questions along three lines of inquiry. First, what is the current landscape in the United States for advanced compute and applied artificial intelligence research? Second, it analyzed whether there are crucial breakthroughs or challenges in AI that are expected to change the status quo? Third, it assessed how hardware specific issues affect regulatory concerns emerging at the national and multilateral levels. The discussion also assessed differences in sovereign versus private sector advanced compute capacity and the hurdles facing smaller states and middle powers in their efforts to formulate AI-related policies. 

On Wednesday, July 17th, ORF America hosted a group of young professionals for an after-hours discussion with Valentina Namé, Nitansha Bansal, and Shreya Lad. Ms. Namé is a Cybersecurity Program Officer within the Organization of American States’ cybersecurity program, where she co-leads the implementation of the project “Addressing the Gender Gap in the Cybersecurity Agenda in the Americas and the Caribbean Region”. Ms. Bansal is an Assistant Director with the Cyber Statecraft Initiative, part of the Atlantic Council’s Tech Programs. Ms. Lad is a Research Assistant with the Cyber Program at the Stimson Center and recently co-authored the report "Advancing Accountability in Cyberspace: Models, Mechanisms, and Multistakeholder Approaches." 

This edition of Briefings & Beer focused on Digital Threats. Setting aside technical jargon, the discussion explored the various socioeconomic factors that intersect with challenges in the digital world. Questions from the audience covered children's exposure to cyber threats, the impact of cryptocurrencies, and the role of disinformation in elections, among other topics. 

This was the seventh convening of the Briefings & Beer series, which is organized by ORF America for young professionals in Washington, DC. The series offers young professionals an opportunity to informally engage with distinguished foreign policy experts, as well as a platform to network with peers. Participants come from the U.S. Government, Congress, think tanks, graduate programs, and the private sector.

On the sidelines of the SCSP AI Expo on May 7, 2024, ORF America hosted a roundtable on New Tech Alliances, bringing together technology policy experts to explore the evolving landscape of U.S.-led technology partnerships including the Quad, iCETs, TTC, Chip 4, and AUKUS. In recent years, the United States has engaged in a series of bilateral and minilateral negotiations with like-minded partners and allies that included technology as crucial agenda items.

Tarun Chhabra, Senior Director for Technology and National Security at the United States National Security Council, Ambassador Nathan Sales, former acting Under Secretary at the U.S. Department of State, along with ORF America’s Dhruva Jaishankar and Andreas Kuehn, provided opening remarks and analysis. This discussion put these partnerships into context for the private sector, policy-makers, academia, think-tanks, and the general public. 

The interactive conversation covered the strategic importance of arrangements such as AUKUS and the U.S.-EU TTC and the impact of geopolitical tech competition on the private sector. With participants’ insightful exchanges on semiconductor supply chains, export controls, cybersecurity, AI, and cooperative research and development, the event provided an overview on the evolution of recent U.S.-led technology cooperation with like-minded partners, assessed geopolitical and geoeconomic competition with China, and laid out some of the challenges and opportunities facing companies within key technology ecosystems.

On May 7-8, 2024, SCSP hosted its first-ever AI Expo for National Competitiveness – alongside the second Ash Carter Exchange on Innovation And National Security – at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC. The AI Expo served as a forum for industry, government, and academic research entities to exhibit some of the latest technological breakthroughs — in AI, biotech, energy, networks, compute, microelectronics, manufacturing, augmented reality, and beyond — and discuss their implications for U.S. and allied competitiveness.

On February 6, ORF America and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Renewing American Innovation project co-hosted a private roundtable with representatives from government and industry as well as policy experts to assess the current state of the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) and discuss how the initiative's next iteration should tackle issues and facilitate progress for different stakeholders in the relationship.

Participants shared information on opportunities and challenges covering ongoing investment and programming initiatives, policy engagements, supply chain management, talent skilling, and R&D cooperation, for semiconductors, telecommunications, IT services, and STEM research collaboration between the United States and India. The conversation also included analysis of India’s emerging technology strategy and a rundown of U.S. government strategic cooperation.

On November 8, ORF America hosted the fourth Chips for Breakfast, a private roundtable to facilitate frank conversations among a select group of U.S. and foreign government officials, industry representatives, and policy experts about the current state of U.S. semiconductor policy, technology leadership, and collaboration with like-minded partners to strengthen international commerce and security.

With numerous countries seeking to attract semiconductor investments at home through various “Chips Acts,” a preeminent challenge arises: the operation of new semiconductor manufacturing facilities will require a stable supply of skilled human resources, technical experts, and STEM talent. The United States alone will need 115,000 new personnel to drive chip design and operate new front-end and back-end facilities as new capacity comes online, 67,000 of these jobs are estimated to go unfulfilled given current constraints. 

Challenges on talent and workforce development include how to stimulate interest in STEM broadly, but also the semiconductor industry specifically, and how to mesh local and regional undertakings with national and international initiatives. In the United States, key institutions including universities, engineering schools, and community colleges, chip companies, state and federal government, as well as the National Science Foundation, have stepped up their efforts in addressing the projected workforce shortfalls. Despite U.S. executive branch efforts to leverage existing immigration pathways, congressional action on immigration policy is required to fill much needed talent in the short term. Crucial in these efforts are aligning local, regional, national, and global contributions, ranging from training to certification to attracting underrepresented talent and communities to meet the demand in the U.S. and globally.

On September 14, ORF America hosted the third Chips for Breakfast, a private roundtable to facilitate frank conversations among a select group of U.S. and foreign government officials, industry representatives, and policy experts about the current state of U.S. semiconductor policy, technology leadership, and collaboration with like-minded partners to strengthen international commerce and security.

Against the backdrop of the one year anniversary of passing the Chips & Science Act, this meeting focused on global semiconductor supply networks and the role the United States can play to lessen supply chain vulnerabilities and shed exploitable dependencies. It sought to address pressing questions along two lines of inquiry. First, determining the role of current and future U.S. leadership along the chips supply chain in light of right shoring and de-risking efforts. Second, examining the United States’ ability to mitigate against existing vulnerabilities harmful to its interests and those of its partners and allies.

Choke points and vulnerabilities identified by ORF America through independent research include, among others, firms’ access to advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment and the limitations to manufacture advanced process nodes without it, specific processed inputs for chip manufacturing such as materials and gases, but also the availability of talent and reliable water and electricity infrastructure. The damaging effects of even short-term supply chain disruptions stand out as well. The impact of disrupted supply, due to natural disasters or a geopolitical contingency in the Taiwan Strait or Korean peninsula, can significantly affect the global semiconductor industry and the global economy. Investments in supply chain resilience are thus crucial due to multiple vectors of uncertainty, including (but not exclusively) geopolitical factors.

On June 13, ORF America hosted the second Chips for Breakfast, a private roundtable to facilitate frank conversations among a select group of current and former U.S. government and foreign government officials, industry representatives, and academic experts about the current state of U.S. semiconductor policy,  U.S. technology leadership, and collaboration with like-minded partners to strengthen international commerce and security.

This second roundtable focused on key insights and takeaways from a recent closed-door Workshop on Technology Alliances and Emerging Technologies that  ORF America hosted in Washington, DC in early June. In addition, participants discussed the genesis of the CHIPS Act in Congress, and deliberated its current status as well as political and funding challenges ahead of its further implementation. Participants pointed out the crucial role of workforce development in light of domestic investments by U.S. and foreign semiconductor companies.  

The Raisina Dialogue DC

Washington DC | February 24, 2023

Background

As part of Raisina DC 2023, ORF America, along with Tech Mahindra, hosted a private roundtable (in-person) to facilitate a candid conversation about the future of global supply chains in the context of critical geopolitical developments with particular focus on the experience of business. Participants from the private sector, current and former U.S. and foreign government officials, think-tanks, and academic experts discussed different facets of this challenge. 

Summary

Global supply chains across industry sectors are undergoing structural changes following the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical disruptions, and recent commodity price volatility, creating redundancies and alternatives to mitigate risk. Participants noted that efficiencies gained from U.S. firms going paperless, such as in logistics, are not always translated across borders when the customs and border protection agencies of most international trade partners remain paper based. Incorporating technology and digitalization into tracking processes for shipping and tracking has become key for leading firms, but for companies operating in high-value industries where components for products circle the globe multiple times in manufacturing this is fundamental. During the pandemic and subsequent semiconductor shortage, examples were provided where a lack of supply chain resiliency or redundancy was damaging for key automotive and appliance manufacturing companies. For leading companies, supplier diversification for manufacturing inputs takes years, as firms want to verify the capability of additional sources.

In many cases, national governments are providing incentives to re-shore, friend-shore, or “right-shore,” crucial elements of supply chains, while supply chain managers have begun to reconsider inventory management, scenario planning, and environmental sustainability with those factors in mind. Whether companies and consumers will be willing to absorb additional costs of products from a validated supply chain due to security concerns, remains an open question. Consumer education will play in a vital role in these areas. Past examples with diamonds and extractive industries focused on specific commodities or products, not entire supply chains.

Meanwhile, governments face challenges in determining what levers to pull for problem solving. In the United States, India, Europe, and East Asia participants shared that companies will continue to look to government for incentives to support their efforts because building manufacturing capacity for industries like aerospace, clean energy, and microelectronics is a massive, multiyear undertaking. Human talent development and acquisition of STEM workers, including in the fields of advanced engineering and logistics, is a key bottleneck in determining where and how supply chains and investments are routed. In the view of several participants, having universities co-located with manufacturing clusters will be essential going forward, as well as immigration policies allowing for the attraction of the best-trained workforce.

On December 16, ORF America hosted a Chips for Breakfast meeting, a private roundtable to facilitate frank conversations among a select group of senior industry representatives, current and former U.S. and foreign government officials, as well as academic experts about the current state of U.S. semiconductor policy and its implications for the global semiconductor value chain, U.S. technology leadership, and international security.

This first roundtable focused on the new, far-reaching October 7 export controls and industry and U.S. partners’ responses to these measures as well as the need to balance U.S. national security and economic objectives vis-a-vis foreign partners and allies’ interests. It also addressed the need to multilateralize semiconductor export controls to ensure their long-term effectiveness. Future roundtables will address a broad range of pressing policy questions concerning the global semiconductor ecosystem and U.S. technology leadership.