Jacob Helberg is just days away from confirmation as Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, but most people in Washington know him for his famous Hill & Valley Forum conference, as co-host Teresa Carlson, president of the General Catalyst Institute, noted in her remarks.

Meridian International Center, in partnership with the General Catalyst Institute, hosted Mr. Helberg for a lively and well-attended reception Tuesday evening at Ned’s Club in downtown D.C. to celebrate. The event quickly turned into a standing-room-only affair, drawing a VIP crowd of diplomats, tech founders, investors, national security insiders and top White House brass. The guest list in part reflected Helberg’s unique positioning at the nexus of technology, global markets, and policy.

Helberg, a longtime figure in both national security and technology sectors, has built a reputation for bridging public and private efforts to address complex global challenges. His background includes senior roles focused on innovation, economic strategy, and critical infrastructure—experience many see as vital for the evolving demands of the Under Secretary role.

Though Helberg’s Senate confirmation hearing is imminent, last night’s gathering was a clear sign of the enthusiasm surrounding his nomination and the expectations for his future impact.

Backed by General Catalyst Institute’s growing commitment to health and defense innovation, the evening was equal parts celebration and scene—an elegant mix of policy talk, industry chatter, and early-summer energy as guests lingered well past sundown.

SPOTTED: Belgian Ambassador Frédéric Bernard, Luxembourg Ambassador Nicole Bintner-Bakshian, Dutch Ambassador Birgitta Tazelaar, Latvian Ambassador Elita Kuzma, Greek Ambassador Ekaterini Nassika, Filipino Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, Liechtenstein Ambassador Georg Sparber, UK Deputy Ambassador James Roscoe, Maryam Mujica, Stuart and Gwen Holliday, Brandon Beach, Helen Milby, Joe Bartlett, Michael Kratsios, Yehuda Kaploun, Paolo Zampolli, Ivan Kanapathy, Nick Clemens, Elena Hernandez, Jason Geske, Stewart Barber, Tammy Haddad, Heather Podesta, Anita McBride, Mary Brady, Ashley Callen, Craig Carbone, Jake Denton, Joel Gardner, Karalee Geis, Jimmy Loomis, Parker Magid, James Rockas and Brendan Shields.

Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chief Deputy Whip and a leading Democratic voice on climate and technology, headlined Puck’s Power Breakfast on Thursday morning, hosted by Puck News CEO Jon Kelly at the Hay-Adams Hotel.

In an interview with Puck’s Chief Washington Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell, Senator Brian Schatz discussed a broad range of issues, including the Senate’s evolving approach to artificial intelligence and the future of federal climate investments. He also addressed the recent unrest in Los Angeles, connecting the protests to wider national debates over policing and public governance. The conversation also touched on whether Congress can reclaim authority from the White House—and if Democrats may be overreaching on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

With his growing influence inside the Democratic leadership circle, Schatz offered perspective on caucus dynamics, legislative strategy, and the challenges of governing in a narrowly divided Senate. The breakfast drew a curated group of policymakers, journalists, and strategists for a lively discussion that mirrored the format’s signature style—intimate, substantive, and high-level.

The Puck Power Breakfast series continues to solidify its role as a premier venue for timely conversations with Washington’s power players, blending journalism, access, and insight at a moment when all three are in high demand.

Spotted: Sarah Personette, Reema Dodin, Sara Fischer, Mike Smith, Olivia Igbokwe, Helen Milby, Sarah Milby, Maryam Mujica, Jacob Freedman, David Reid, Nick Carr, Tony Samp, Marianna Sotomayor, Alex Tureman, Asad Ramzanali, Michael Hacker, Keenan Austin Reed, Lisa Allen, Antony Lynch, Tizzy Brown, Scott Sloofman, Alex Wirth and Kevin Walling. 

CALLS FOR GUESTS IN THE ROOM TO DRIVE CHANGE

In remarks at the inaugural AI Honors hosted by the Washington AI Network, Commerce Secretary Lutnick described how the Trump Commerce Department will handle industry standards after the late afternoon announcement by President Trump that he is closing the U.S. Safety Institute set up by the Biden Administration. “So let’s embrace what we’re great at and we are announcing the Center for AI Standards and Innovation to be the standards, to be a standards place, to be a place where people voluntarily go to drive analysis and standards.”

On Tuesday, June 3rd, the Washington AI Network convened technologists, policymakers, media and other influencers at the beautiful Waldorf Astoria to celebrate the inaugural AI Honors Black Tie Gala. The brightest minds in tech and AI policy came together for an evening that reminded us why we’re so excited about the future of AI. 

Lutnick also talked about Trump’s next push, “So let our great allies participate with us in the AI industrial revolution. Let them buy our ships, let them invest in data centers. And here’s the model. The data center has to be operated by an approved operator. Now obviously those approved operators, there’ll be all the large US hyperscalers of course, but other companies can apply and they can be operators as well on a smaller scale if they wish, but only operated by great American companies. The cloud associated with those data centers also has to be operated by American companies.”

CALL TO ACTION FOR ATTENDEES

“And I’m going to need the people in this room to be the drivers of that outcome because America needs that outcome. Because we are going to train millions of Americans in what I’ll describe as trade craft, because we need technicians who can do closed-loop HVAC systems and cooling systems. We need electricians, we need robot technicians, we need manufacturing. We need to build and operate the greatest automation build in the history of modern mankind. And that is coming to America. And that is part of what is going to drive, it’s going to drive America.”

June 3rd marks a milestone moment for artificial intelligence in America – and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.

This Tuesday, the Washington AI Network will host our first-ever AI Honors, a black-tie gala celebrating the remarkable individuals and organizations driving AI innovation, policy, and research forward. Taking place in the elegant ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, this inaugural event represents more than just a celebration – it’s a recognition of the pivotal moment we’re experiencing in AI development and American leadership in this transformative field.

Honoring Excellence Across the AI Ecosystem

We’re proud to recognize six outstanding honorees who exemplify leadership at the intersection of technology, governance, and ethics:

Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) will receive our AI Impact in Governance Award for his work as co-chair of the Senate AI working group, demonstrating how thoughtful policy leadership can shape technology’s future.

Congressmen Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) and Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) will be honored with our Bipartisan Leadership on AI Award. As co-chairs of the House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, they’ve shown that interest in getting things right transcends party lines and requires collaborative solutions.

Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth, director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, receives the Guardian of America Award for his crucial work protecting our nation’s interests in the age of AI.

Jack Hidary, CEO of SandboxAQ, earns our AI Visionary Award for his groundbreaking work in quantum-AI technologies and enterprise solutions.

Dr. Patricia K. Falcone, deputy director for science and technology at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, receives the AI Honors in Public Science Award for her contributions to advancing AI research in service of the public good.

Father Paolo Benanti, the Vatican’s official adviser on AI ethics, will be honored with our Ethics in Artificial Intelligence Award, recognizing the critical importance of ethical framework and thinking as AI reshapes our world.

A Community United by the AI Moment

The AI Honors wouldn’t be possible without our incredible sponsors, including Amazon, Meta, OpenAI, Microsoft, IBM, AMD, TikTok, Salesforce, ScaleAI, Bloomberg, LinkedIn, Booking Holdings, Uber, General Catalyst Institute, RhinoAI, NobleReach Foundation, Flex Association, Silverado Accelerator, GlobalWIN, and many others who understand that collaboration drives progress. Their support reflects the broad coalition necessary to navigate AI’s challenges and opportunities responsibly.

As our founder Tammy Haddad noted, “This is a pivotal moment for AI and for American competitiveness. The AI Honors are designed to recognize the people and ideas driving meaningful progress—and to connect leaders from across the ecosystem in a setting worthy of the moment.”

LISTEN BELOW: New Washington AI Network Podcast Features SCSP CEO Ylli Bajraktari on the Global AI Race, National Security, and the 2025 AI Expo in Washington, DC

On Friday, May 16, Washington’s political, media, and diplomatic circles gathered at The House at 1229 to celebrate the release of Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America’s Great Power Prophet, the acclaimed new biography by Financial Times columnist and commentator Ed Luce.

The event was hosted by Tammy Haddad, Teresa Carlson, Juleanna Glover, and Helen Milby, and brought together a lively crowd for an evening of conversation, reflection on strategic leadership, and a toast to one of America’s most influential foreign policy thinkers.

Teresa Carlson opened the program with brief remarks and introduced Luce, who spoke about the making of the book and Brzezinski’s lasting relevance in today’s shifting global landscape. The diplomatic community was well represented, with British Ambassador Peter Mandelson and Reinaldo Avila da Silva—still riding high from the recent tariff deal with President Trump—joining Polish Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Bogdan Klich and his wife Anna, who shared warm stories from their 20-year friendship with Dr. Brzezinski. The group raised their glasses to toast Niamh King, Luce’s wife and director of the Aspen Security Forum. Meanwhile, Karalee Geis, a Trump White House aide, along with Robert Costa, Josh Dawsey of the Wall Street Journal, and other guests, traded thoughts on everything from Cold War history to the future of diplomacy—and then, the party kept going.

As the night unfolded, guests sipped champagne, enjoyed ice cream sandwiches and late-night pizza, and danced through the historic halls of 1229. What began as a thoughtful book salon evolved into a spirited celebration — a fitting tribute to Brzezinski’s intellect and charisma, and to the vibrant Washington community that came together in his honor.

LINK TO BUY BOOK HERE: Zbig | Book by Edward Luce | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

Notable Guests Included: British Ambassador Peter Mandelson and Reinaldo Avila da Silva, New Zealand Ambassador Rosemary Banks, Polish Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Bogdan Klich, German Deputy Chief of Mission Axel Dittmann, Niamh King, Senay Bulbul, Maryam Mujica, Tina Anthony, Bob Costa, Stuart and Barbara Jones, Karen Knutson, Heather Florance, Chloe Autio, Alexis Marks, Kevin Walling, Liz Johnson, Robyn and Jeremy Bash, Angeli Chawa, Matt Gorman, Peter Baker, Phil Rucker, Peter Pham, Sydney Paul, George Conway, Josh Dawsey, Govind Shivkumar, Adam Branch, Don Graham, Charlotte Smith and Evan Hollander.

Tammy Haddad’s Washington AI Network Podcast, a leading voice in the national conversation on artificial intelligence, has been honored with two 2025 Communicator Awards. With over 50 episodes and a growing roster of influential guests from government, industry, and academia, the podcast has become a trusted platform for unpacking the societal, political, and economic impact of AI.

The Washington AI Network Podcast received the Award of Excellence in Science & Technology, the competition’s highest distinction, for its ongoing series on artificial intelligence. The award highlights the show’s role as a trusted forum where influential voices unpack the complex and rapidly evolving implications of AI across sectors.

In addition, the podcast earned an Award of Distinction for the episode featuring Ted Leonsis and Grant Verstandig on healthcare in the age of AI. The conversation explored how emerging technologies are reshaping healthcare delivery and diagnostics, highlighting both the promise and the challenges of deploying AI within the national health infrastructure.

PHOTOS: Ted Leonsis and Grant Verstandig siscuss healthcare in the age of AI with Tammy Haddad at the House at 1229 in Washington, DC on October 9, 2024.

Ted Leonsis, founder and partner of Revolution Growth (an investor in 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, discussed innovation at the intersection of digital medicine, personalized care, and public health preparedness.

The Communicator Awards are presented by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA) and judged by a panel of leaders from organizations including Microsoft, Spotify, Google, Amazon, and the Smithsonian Institution. This year’s competition received thousands of entries from around the globe. Other 2025 Award of Excellence recipients include NASA+, Netflix, Apple, The Walt Disney Company, and Bank of America. As Washington’s focus intensifies on the regulatory, strategic, and ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence, the Washington AI Network Podcast continues to stand out as a timely and essential platform for thoughtful dialogue on AI’s role in shaping public policy, national security, and global competitiveness. 

SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH OUR LATEST EPISODES Washington AI Network – YouTube.

Building on this momentum, the Washington AI Network will host Washington’s first-ever black-tie AI Honors awards dinner on June 3, celebrating leadership, innovation, and responsibility in the AI space with distinguished guests from across government, business, and tech. Find out more here: aihonors.us.

After a late Saturday night of speeches, after-parties, and high-wattage receptions, CNN gave Washington’s power crowd a gentler landing on Sunday, hosting its annual White House Correspondents’ Weekend brunch at the British Ambassador’s residence.

Mark Thompson, CNN’s chief executive, greeted guests alongside British Ambassador Peter Mandelson and Mandelson’s husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, welcoming a who’s-who of politics, media, and diplomacy into the lush, manicured gardens of the Kalorama residence.

With temperatures in the 70s, bright blue skies overhead, and the scent of spring flowers in the air, the brunch felt like an oasis — a breezy, sun-dappled contrast to the packed ballrooms and velvet-roped chaos of Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner and its slew of after-parties.

Guests sipped frozen cocktails from a slushy bar, grazed on mini CNN-branded tea sandwiches and English sausage rolls, and relaxed to the easy beats of DJ Jimmy. Mandelson’s Labrador, Jock, worked the crowd as expertly as any host, charming guests into games of fetch across the sprawling lawn.

The crowd: Top anchors and correspondents from CNN mixed easily with lawmakers, ambassadors, tech execs, and boldfaced names from across town — the sort of low-key, high-powered mingling that defines WHCD Sunday.

The mood: Relaxed but still electric — with everyone squeezing out the final moments of the WHCD weekend before Washington snapped back to reality on Monday morning.

Spotted: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.); Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman, Swiss Ambassador Ralf Heckner, Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, and EU Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė.

CNN’s own stars — Jake Tapper, Kaitlan Collins, Abby Phillip, Wolf Blitzer, Dana Bash, Pamela Brown, Sara Sidner, David Leavy, and Sam Feist — made the rounds alongside Bobby Flay, Andrea Mitchell, Kara Swisher, David Urban, Bob Costa, Eugene Daniels, Jacqui Heinrich, Josh Dawsey, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Scott Jennings, Weijia Jiang, and Luther Lowe.

Also spotted: Tom Nides, Virginia Moseley, Matt Friend, Shayne Coplan, Joel Kaplan, David Ginsberg, John Rizzo, David Rhodes, Senay Bulbul, Daniel Koh, Spencer Garrett, Reema Dodin, Elizabeth Falcone, Caitlyn Stephenson, Niamh King, Olivia Igbokwe, Michael Moroney, Josh Blumenfeld, Keenan Austin Reed, Michael Reed, Ryan Williams, and John McCarthy.