On Friday April 25th, The Washington AI Network celebrated White House Correspondents’ Weekend at its 2nd Annual TGAIFriday Lunch, presented by Meta. The gathering transformed the entire four-story historic mansion into an innovation hub with new AI applications. Meta showcased its Ray-Ban | Meta AI glasses, giving attendees a firsthand look at wearable AI in action. Zauron Labs, a Texas-based healthcare innovator, demonstrated Guardian AI, a Llama-powered tool that flags likely false negatives in medical imaging — a “spell-check” for radiologists. WriteSea, an Oklahoma tech company, introduced Job Search Genius, an AI career coach helping candidates enhance their job search experience. And Authorship – iA, a North Carolina-based startup, presented its secure AI legal assistant platform, helping legal teams and congressional offices like those of Senator Ted Budd and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi protect sensitive data while increasing efficiency.

The centerpiece of the event, however, was the unveiling of Space Llama, a groundbreaking AI-powered tech stack developed by Meta and Booz Allen Hamilton for the International Space Station. Designed to enhance astronaut operations and research capabilities in orbit, Space Llama marks a major leap forward for the role of AI in space missions.

As a DJ pumped lively tunes, special AI-themed cocktails — including the “Llama-lini,” the “AI-Irish Coffee,” and the “Insta-rita” — added a playful, inventive touch to the tech-forward gathering.

Throughout the historic mansion, curated AI demos offered guests an interactive glimpse into the latest applications of artificial intelligence across healthcare, careers, and security. 

Tammy Haddad led a lively fireside chat with U.S. Navy CTO Justin Fanelli and Booz Allen AI engineer Zane Price, who shared behind-the-scenes insights on how open source AI is reshaping space operations and national security initiatives.

Here is how Politico covered it: Playbook: Trump and Zelenskyy’s Vatican diplomacy – POLITICO

Amid a jam-packed White House Correspondents’ Weekend, the TGAIFriday Lunch stood out — combining serious innovation and discourse with a fun, high-energy atmosphere. The Washington AI Network will send out a podcast version of the interviews in the next week.

Notable Guests Included: Guests included Costa Rica Ambassador Catalina Crespo, David Ginsberg, Donnie Fowler, Jon Kelly, Mike Allen, Ina Fried, Jonathan Karl, Jack Hidary, Teresa Carlson, Didem Nisanci, Maryam Mujica, Arun Gupta, Reema Dodin, Caitlyn Stephenson, ATFrenchies’ Alexandre Durand and Tom Carles, Miriam Vogel, Lara Tennyson, Sarah Hudgins, Adam Branch, Andrea Saul, Nkechi Nneji, Govind Shivkumar, Helen Milby, John Rizzo, Olivia Igbokwe, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Senay Bulbul, Susan Li, Austin Carson, Steven Overly, Sumi Somaskanda, Tiffany Moore, Elizabeth Falcone, Fin Gomez, James Perry Adams, Ali Hattamer, Ted Johnson, Cuneyt Dil, Julissa Marenco, Sara Fischer, Jonathan Clifford, Gilles Bauer, Sabrina Singh, Lisa Allen, Laurie McKay, and April Ryan. 

Washington, DC – April 23, 2025 — While families gathered on the South Lawn for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, YouTube Kids brought an extra dose of fun to downtown DC with the 3rd Annual “Hoppy Hour” — a festive, Easter-themed event held in the lobby of the Hotel Washington.

The hotel’s iconic lobby was transformed into a colorful springtime space, welcoming families for an afternoon of creativity, music, and play. This year’s “Hoppy Hour” brought together guests and their kids for original stories with Kid Time Story Time, hands-on crafts with Kylee Makes It, and joyful yoga sessions from Yogapalooza with Bari Koral—all celebrating the spirit of imagination and togetherness.

Throughout the day, the event attracted a lively mix of attendees, including families, hotel guests, and a who’s who of Washington’s Easter weekend crowd—politicians, media figures, influencers, and local VIPs.

Guests explored interactive YouTube Kids stations, colorful photo moments, and themed activities tailored for children, creating a festive energy that carried throughout the hotel. From character-inspired crafts to spring snacks and playful surprises, “Hoppy Hour” delivered a joyful experience just steps from the White House.

With its family-first atmosphere and high-profile turnout, “Hoppy Hour” has become a standout tradition during one of DC’s most celebrated weekends.

Notable Guests Included: Rep. Riley Moore, Rep. Nick Langworthy, James Roscoe, Senay Bulbul, Ruth Ward, Ashley Callen, Stephanie Penn, Nick Hawatmeh, Kristin Sapperstein, Darin Miller, Carolyn King, Jamie Susskind, Emily Benavides, Anna Palmer, Alexandra Veitch, Josh Blumenfeld, Olivia Igbokwe, Jessica Moore, Dustee Jenkins, Kristin Cecchi, Liz Johnson, Fritz and Brooke Brogan and Emilie Simons

Arun Gupta, CEO of NobleReach Foundation, has been honored with the 2025 Industry Eagle Award by Nextgov/FCW, a leading publication covering federal technology and policy. The award recognizes Gupta’s work in mobilizing emerging tech leaders to bring their skills to public service roles, addressing national challenges through cross-sector collaboration.

Nextgov/FCW, formed through the 2023 merger of Nextgov and Federal Computer Week, presents the Industry Eagle Award each year as part of the Federal 100 Awards, which celebrate individuals making significant contributions to federal innovation and operations.

Gupta’s career spans venture capital, academia, and the nonprofit world, giving him a unique vantage point on how the strengths of each sector can be aligned. While teaching his popular “Valley Meets Mission” course at Stanford, Gupta noticed a troubling disconnect: students passionate about innovation rarely considered government service. That insight sparked his push to build career pathways that combine tech expertise with public impact.

His initiatives, including the NobleReach Scholars program, focus on developing the next generation of mission-driven leaders. The program recruits top tech talent who might otherwise join major private firms and places them in government roles, offering mentorship and real-world experience tackling public sector challenges.

In 2024, Gupta co-authored the bestselling book Venture Meets Mission, a guide for professionals seeking to align purpose, people, and profit in their careers. His work continues to influence a growing movement of innovators committed to public service at a time when national needs are increasingly shaped by technology.

Gupta’s recognition with the Industry Eagle Award underscores a broader shift: as federal agencies look to modernize, leaders like Gupta are helping ensure that top talent is part of the solution.

The White House 1600 Sessions podcast, hosted by Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, is the newly minted recipient of a Webby Honoree distinction in the Public Service & Activism category.

Widely regarded as the “Internet’s highest honor,” the Webby Awards celebrate excellence in digital media. This recognition places The White House 1600 Sessions among the top podcasts globally and highlights its powerful storytelling and commitment to public education through history. 

White House 1600 Sessions brings listeners behind the scenes of the Executive Mansion to explore its rich past and enduring legacy. The show invites historians, authors, eyewitnesses, and cultural leaders to share rarely heard stories and insights into the people and events that have shaped American history from within the walls of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. 

This season has already featured standout episodes, including a deep dive into the sacred traditions of a State Funeral and a compelling interview with a visual artist who recreates pivotal White House moments that were never photographed or painted. These stories are more than historical anecdotes—they’re reminders of how the presidency intersects with the American experience.

The podcast has built a loyal following of listeners and viewers who value thoughtful storytelling and a deeper understanding of our nation’s past. And the best is still to come: upcoming episodes will include a special behind-the-scenes tour of the presidential yacht Honey Fitz, famously used by President John F. Kennedy.

The Webby Honoree distinction is the latest in a series of accolades for McLaurin and the Podcast. Last summer, the podcast earned two Communicator Awards for Excellence—one for the special episode Remembering President John F. Kennedy: A 60th Anniversary Special, and another for Best Overall Series. McLaurin also received three Telly Awards for the video podcast, including one recognizing the same Kennedy anniversary episode.

Stay up to date with new episodes and explore the archive here: The White House 1600 Sessions – White House Historical Association

The White House Correspondents’ Association board voted to cancel the scheduled comedian Amber Ruffin from this year’s dinner. The annual gathering of journalists, politicos, media executives and influencers from around the world is a fundraiser and important social occasion for the DC media community.

In a statement issued on Saturday March 29, WHCA President Eugene Daniels said the board “unanimously decided” to forgo the comedic portion of the evening, framing the move as an effort to keep the focus on journalism and honoring reporters’ work. 

The decision comes after Ruffin sparked controversy with negative remarks about the Trump administration, including referring to them as “kind of a bunch of murderers” during a recent appearance on The Daily Beast podcast. The comment drew criticism from administration officials and triggered behind-the-scenes conversations and whispers about whether she should still take the stage. 

Traditionally, the comedian does not comment on whoever is president prior to the dinner. Ruffin addressed the situation on Late Night with Seth Meyers, saying, “I thought when people take away your rights, erase your history, and deport your friends, you’re supposed to call it out. But I was wrong. “Last year’s White House Correspondents Garden Brunch honored and recognized four Maryland police officers whose actions in the wake of the tragic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore saved many lives. Corporal Jeremy Herbert, Officer Garry Kirts, Sergeant Paul Pastorek, and Officer Timothy Baublitz were in attendance and received an emotional round of applause for their heroism. Here is the video.

Washington, D.C. — Puck threw its third annual First Amendment Party the evening of March 26, transforming the French ambassador’s residence into a glittering hub for Washington’s media, political, and diplomatic elite. The evening honored Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, who was presented with the First Amendment Award for his nearly five-decades long career in journalism by Puck co-founder Jon Kelly. 

Kelly opened the evening by underscoring the importance of press freedom. Ignatius followed with a sober reminder of what’s at stake, telling the crowd, “We understand now, better than ever, that democracy could indeed die in darkness.” After reflecting on his time at the Post and the challenges facing journalism today, he offered a more reassuring note to close out his remarks by adding, “I’ve been assured by [Washington Post] management that I can write what I want without interference. If that ever changes, I’ll let readers know.”

Puck’s political team was out in full force, including John Heilemann, Julia Ioffe, Abby Livingston, Peter Hamby, and newly minted chief Washington correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell—a veteran of NBC, CNN, CBS, and C-SPAN, and one of the capital’s most deeply sourced reporters. Puck CEO Sarah Personette and COO and fellow Co-Founder Liz Gough were also in attendance.

Launched in 2022, the First Amendment Party was conceived as a toast to press freedom and a space for candid conversation across media, politics, and tech. This year’s fête stayed true to that spirit, drawing a crowd of journalists, Hill staffers, diplomats, and D.C. power players—all under one gilded roof. With champagne flowing and chandeliers glowing, the party blended European charm with Beltway muscle, cementing Puck’s growing clout and their commitment in the capital.

Notable guests included: British Ambassador Peter Mandelson, Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne-Nason, Sen. Chris Coons, Reps. Jason Crow and Jimmy Panetta , Norah O’Donnell, Jake Tapper, John Harris, David Chalian, Robert Costa, Alex Marquardt, Phil Rucker, Sumi Somaskanda, Josh Dawsey, Jake Denton, Alex Flemister, Elizabeth Falcone, Reema Dodin, Kasie Hunt, Peter Baker and Susan Glasser, Dasha Burns, Kara Voght, Mitchell Rivard, Govind Shivkumar, Dmitri Alperovitch, Jessica Dean, Alex Katz, Michael Falcone, and Jim Acosta.