WHC Insider, Author at White House Correspondents Insider

‘White House 1600 Sessions’ Podcast, Hosted by Stewart McLaurin, Receives Top Webby Honor

April 8, 2025 By WHC Insider

*Stewart McLaurin interviews Chef Cristeta Comerford, who served as White House Executive Chef from 2005-2024*

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

WHCA Drops Comedian from the 2025 White House Correspondents’ Dinner

April 3, 2025 By WHC Insider

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.

*Symone Sanders, Eugene Daniels, Tammy Haddad, Savannah Guthrie, Mark Ein, Kaitlan Collins, Gus Kenworthy and friends attend the 2024 White House Correspondents Garden Brunch (Haddad Media photos)*

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.

Tammy Haddad speaks at the 2024 White House Correspondents Garden Brunch while honoring the four Maryland police officers who were first responders to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore *(Haddad Media photos)*

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.

A Who’s Who of Washington Packs Puck’s Third Annual First Amendment Party at the French Ambassador’s Residence

April 2, 2025 By WHC Insider

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.”

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 26: Puck co-founder and editor-in-chief Jon Kelly speaks during Puck & The French Embassy’s First Amendment Gala 2025 at Residence of the French Ambassador on March 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Puck)

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 26: (L-R) Jon Kelly, David Ignatius, and Amb. Laurent Bili attend Puck & The French Embassy’s First Amendment Gala 2025 at Residence of the French Ambassador on March 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Puck)

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 26: Guest of Honor David Ignatius speaks during Puck & The French Embassy’s First Amendment Gala 2025 at Residence of the French Ambassador on March 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Puck)

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.

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 26: (L-R) Puck’s Sarah Personette, Jon Kelly, Liz Gough, and Leigh Ann Caldwell attend Puck & The French Embassy’s First Amendment Gala 2025 at Residence of the French Ambassador on March 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Puck)

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.

POLITICO’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns welcomed by Washington Women Technology Network

February 27, 2025 By WHC Insider

The Washington Women’s Technology Network held an exclusive breakfast co-hosted by Jessica Nigro and Tammy Haddad on February 25 at the House at 1229 to welcome POLITICO Playbook’s new editor Jack Blanchard and Politico’s new White House bureau chief Dasha Burns. The event brought together leaders in media, politics, and business.

*L to R: Symone Sanders, Jessica Nigro, Jack Blanchard, Dasha Burns, and Tammy Haddad*

Blanchard recently relocated to Washington, D.C. from London, where he wrote the London Playbook for over 5 years. At the breakfast, he shared his take on new British PM Keir Starmer and his relationship with President Donald Trump. Burns, fresh from covering the Munich Security Conference, where she interviewed Sen. Mark Warner, provided a firsthand account of key global security discussions and their implications for U.S. foreign policy. With shifting geopolitical dynamics and fast-moving developments in Washington, their perspectives were both timely and invaluable.

*L to R: Jack Blanchard, Jessica Nigro, and Dasha Burns*

Attendees debated how recent White House actions would influence media access, the challenges of political coverage in a polarized landscape, and the broader implications for journalism’s role during Trump 2.0.

*Jack Blanchard and Adam Verdugo take a look at the Lucid Air.*

Attendees included: MSNBC’s Symone Sanders; NobleReach Foundation’s Tina Anthony; Elizabeth Falcone, chief of staff to Sen. Mark Warner; Disney’s Susan Fox; GlobalWIN’s Helen Milby; LinkedIn’s Caitlin O’Neill; AWS’s Olivia Igbokwe and Alla Seiffert; BSA’s Victoria Espinel; Politico’s Alisa Vasquez; Shannon Ricchetti; Liz Johnson; Adrienne Elrod; Adam Verdugo; and Rufus Gifford.

*Dasha Burns discusses covering Trump 2.0 at a Washington Women’s Technology Network breakfast*.

Video: 2024 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch

February 26, 2025 By WHC Insider

The 31st annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch was held at the historic Beall-Washington House in Georgetown on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

Co-hosted by Tammy Haddad, Ruth Porat, Kevin Sheekey, Mark and Sally Ein, Symone Sanders-Townsend, Jon Banner, Craig Minassian, and Franco Nuschese, the Brunch celebrated journalism, democracy, and heroism.

Highlights of the stage program included:

Host Tammy Haddad recognizing Maryland State police officers whose actions in the wake of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore saved many lives.

MSNBC anchor Symone Sanders-Townsend presenting the Garden Brunch Champion of Journalism Award to the White House Correspondents’ Association, which was accepted by incoming WHCA president Eugene Daniels.

CNN Anchor Kaitlan Collins and Olympic medalist Gus Kenworthy presenting co-host Mark Ein, co-owner of the Washington Commanders and owner of the Beall-Washington House, with the Friend of the Garden Brunch award.

TODAY Show host Savannah Guthrie thanking members of the military for their service and acknowledging two organizations that support veterans and military family members – Dog Tag Bakery and Blue Star Families.

Attendees included Governor of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham; British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce; Ukraine Ambassador Oksana Markarova; Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason; Luxembourg Ambassador Nicole Bintner; Australian Ambassador and Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd; DC Mayor Muriel Bowser; Senator Amy Klobuchar; Senator Mark Warner; Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester; Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Steven Horsford; Former counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway; Lyft CEO David Risher; TODAY’s Al Roker; CNN anchors Jake Tapper, Dana Bash, and Abby Phillip; women’s soccer legend Ashlyn Harris; and actors Sophia Bush, Kevin McHale, Rosario Dawson, Jordan Klepper, Wilson Cruz, Joseph Lee, Andrew McCarthy, and Desi Lydic. The 31st Anniversary Garden Brunch was made possible by the generous support of McDonald’s, General Motors, U.S. Steel, Verizon, and Flex.

LIVE FROM LONDON ‘Conclave’ and ‘The Brutalist’ Dominate at the 2025 BAFTA Awards

February 19, 2025 By WHC Insider

*Mikey Madison, winner for Best Actress for her role in Anora, poses on the red carpet at the 2025 BAFTA Awards in London on Sunday, February 16th*

The 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) delivered an unforgettable evening Sunday night at the Royal Festival Hall, with Conclave and The Brutalist each securing four prestigious awards.

Conclave, a gripping political thriller starring Ralph Fiennes, was honored with Best Film and Outstanding British Film, underscoring its critical acclaim and resonance with audiences. Director Edward Berger expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the film’s exploration of contemporary themes.

Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist also made a significant impact, earning accolades for Best Director and Best Leading Actor, with Adrien Brody’s compelling performance praised by critics and peers alike. The film’s innovative narrative and artistic vision were key talking points of the evening.

Veteran actor Warwick Davis was bestowed with the BAFTA Fellowship, recognizing his outstanding contribution to cinema. In an emotional speech, Davis paid homage to his late wife, Samantha, and reflected on his decades-long career in the film industry.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story won the award for Best Documentary. Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, the film explores Reeve’s rise to fame, his life-changing accident, and his advocacy for disability rights, featuring interviews with his children and close friend Robin William. Ian Bonhôte accepted the BAFTA for Best Documentary on behalf of the team.

Hosted by David Tennant for the second consecutive year, the ceremony was attended by an array of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Cillian Murphy, Emma Stone, Bradley Cooper, Margot Robbie, Barry Keoghan, Carey Mulligan, Paul Mescal, Ariana Grande, Demi Moore, Selena Gomez, Pamela Anderson, Saoirse Ronan, Cynthia Erivo, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Zoë Saldaña, Colman Domingo, and Anna Kendrick. Tennant, joined by his wife Georgia, led the evening’s festivities, which featured standout musical performances by Take That and Jeff Goldblum, adding an extra layer of glamour and entertainment to the night

Other guests included BAFTA’S North America Board Chair Joyce Pierpoline alongside fellow board members Sally Habbershaw EVP, Americas all3media International and Tara Grace, film executive and producer.

The 2025 BAFTAs proved to be a thrilling precursor to the Oscars, solidifying Conclave and The Brutalist as major awards season contenders. With a lineup of standout performances, heartfelt speeches, and cinematic excellence, this year’s ceremony once again reaffirmed the BAFTAs as one of the most prestigious events in film. A full list of winners can be found here: Baftas 2025: The winners list in full

(L TO R): Tara Grace, Sally Habbershaw and Joyce Pierpoline pose on the red carpet at the 2025 BAFTA Awards in London on Sunday, February 16th

Washington AI Network and Ned’s Club DC Host Power Breakfast Honoring British Ambassador Karen Pierce

February 11, 2025 By WHC Insider

(L-R) Honoree Dame Karen Pierce and Tammy Haddad, Founder, Washington AI Network and CEO, Haddad Media speak during breakfast at Ned’s Club DC.

The Washington AI Network, in partnership with the newly opened Ned’s Club DC, hosted a power breakfast on Saturday, January 25 in honor of British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce. The event brought together a distinguished group of political leaders, diplomats, media and other influential figures ahead of the annual Alfalfa festivities taking place later that evening. The breakfast honored Ambassador Pierce’s remarkable five-year tenure in Washington and her contributions to diplomacy, highlighting the strong U.S.-U.K. bond and the enduring special relationship between the two nations.

The conversation was recorded for the Washington AI Network Podcast. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch on the Washington AI Network YouTube channel.

Joiwind Ronen, Executive Director of Membership & Programming at Ned’s Club DC, welcomes the crowd at the start of the program

Joiwind Ronen, Ned’s Club DC executive director of membership & programming, opened the event with brief remarks, welcoming attendees to the newly opened club. Washington AI Network founder Tammy Haddad led a wide-ranging interview, exploring Pierce’s insights on U.S.- U.K. relations, her work over the last five years in DC, and her diplomatic career. She addressed her predictions for the future relationship, including thoughts on her successor Peter Mandelson as well as the new Trump administration. On Mandelson, she commented, “He’s a very good businessman, and above all, I think he’s a really good trade expert. He went on to be the European commissioner for trade. He’s done a lot, and he’s got very good political and policy instincts.” When asked about the relationship between President Trump and Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK, Pierce noted, “They got on very well. They’ve talked a few times on the telephone. They had dinner together in September in the margins of the UN General Assembly. The president was very gracious and invited the prime minister and the foreign secretary to his personal apartment in Trump Tower.”

Sen. Chris Coons speaks during breakfast hosted by Washington AI Network and Ned’s Club DC honoring Dame Karen Pierce

Senator Chris Coons offered a heartfelt toast following a lighthearted video montage featuring tributes from notable figures comically suggesting new roles for Pierce as she departs her DC post. The video featured Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Kellyanne Conway, Bret Baier, Kaitlan Collins, and entrepreneur and Washington Commanders co-owner Mark Ein. When asked to reflect on her time living in Washington, Pierce said “being in Washington makes me smile. The very first time I came we drove along Rock Creek Parkway for some political military talks at the State Department and I thought, ‘I can’t believe you drive through the park to get to work in the world’s most important city’ and I was hooked from that moment.”

At the end of the interview, Haddad presented Pierce with a commemorative champagne saber engraved with the language “Always the Dame of DC.”

Dame Karen Pierce holds a commemorative champagne saber gifted by Tammy Haddad

Held at the newly opened Ned’s Club, the gathering was a blend of intellect, humor, and camaraderie. As a fresh addition to Washington’s social scene, Ned’s Club DC provided the perfect venue for this power-packed occasion, reflecting its mission to host high-level and impactful convenings.

Notable guests included: Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Kellyanne Conway, Walter Isaacson, Hon. Jane Harman, Amb. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Robert Barnett, Mark Ein, Shannon Kellogg, Olivia Igbokwe, Cam Sadler, Lynda Carter, Karen Knutson, DeDe Lea, Kara Swisher, Arun Gupta, Richard Walters, Cal and Laura Ripken, Alexandra Veitch, Sally Quinn, Govind Shivkumar, Niamh King, Ed Luce, Pamela Brown, Symone Sanders, John McCarthy, Helen Milby, Andrea Mitchell, Keenan Austin Reed, Senay Bulbul, Rohit Chopra, Bob Costa, Rory Gates, Nicoletta Giordani and Ryan Williams.

Uber, X and The Free Press Bring Glamour and Star Power with ‘Inauguration Eve’ Bash

January 29, 2025 By WHC Insider

*Dierks Bentley performs during the ‘Inauguration Eve’ Bash sponsored by Uber, X and the Free Press on January 19th, 2025 at the Riggs Hotel in Downtown Washington, DC.*

Washington, D.C. – January 19th 2025 – The historic Riggs Hotel in Downtown Washington set the stage for “Inauguration Eve,” an exclusive soirée hosted by Uber, X, and The Free Press. As one of the premier events among the capital’s bustling inauguration season, the gathering attracted a stellar lineup of VIPs – blending Washington’s seasoned elite with fresh faces. The evening celebrated the eve of the nation’s 60th presidential inauguration with a mix of elegance, exclusivity, and high energy.

Despite the frigid January temperatures, the atmosphere inside was electric. Country music star Dierks Bentley captivated the crowd with a performance of his greatest hits, providing a vibrant soundtrack for the evening. The Riggs Hotel’s opulent setting played host to a dynamic mix of political leaders, tech innovators, and cultural icons, all enjoying gourmet cuisine and signature cocktails.

*Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Ambassador-designate to Sweeden Christine Toretti and Chief of Staff to Sen. Dave McCormick Mark Isakowitz*

*Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi (foreground) with Conor McGregor posing for photos with fans*

The evening’s program included remarks from The Free Press Founder Bari Weiss, X CEO Linda Yaccarino, and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. Their speeches emphasized themes of progress, innovation, and unity during this pivotal moment in the nation’s history. Moments later, cheers rang out through the venue as MMA superstar Conor McGregor made his way through the crowd to pose for photos and mingle with the partygoers.

Other notable guests included: Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Peter Thiel, Sergey Brin, Christine Toretti, Kimbal Musk, Bret Baier, Amy Chua, Lex Fridman, Dana Bash, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Douglas Murray, Mark Isakowitz, Linda Yaccarino, Conor McGregor, Francis Suarez, Mehmet Oz, Cesar Conde, Joanna Coles, James Bennet, Shawn McCreesh, Alex Tompson, Max Tani, Michael Grimes, Keith Rabois, Jacob Helberg, Coleman Hughes, Lulu Cheng Meservey and Rikki Schlott.

Navigating Global AI Policy from Paris: UNESCO U.S. Ambassador Courtney O’Donnell and OECD U.S. Ambassador Sean Patrick Maloney on AI, Equity, and Global Collaboration

December 23, 2024 By WHC Insider

In the latest episode of the Washington AI Network Podcast, Courtney O’Donnell, U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO, and Sean Patrick Maloney, U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), joined host Tammy Haddad to discuss the pivotal role the United States is playing in leveraging AI to advance education, health, climate action, and international cooperation. The interview was recorded at the shared offices of the U.S. missions to the OECD and to UNESCO offices in Paris, France on December 5.

Through their unique roles at UNESCO and OECD, Ambassadors O’Donnell and Maloney are shaping global policies that prioritize ethical governance, inclusivity, and sustainability. During the conversation, they shared insights into how American leadership is promoting human rights, sustainability, and equitable access to innovation through international cooperation.

“Many people know UNESCO for the work around the world to save and protect unique cultural heritage sites through their World Heritage program, but the reach, as you think about science, education, and culture, is incredibly vast. Artificial intelligence is no doubt impacting all of them,” explained O’Donnell. “What really is at the core of the US presence at UNESCO is ensuring that these technologies are based around a human-centered, human-rights-based approach. And I know very well the work of the 2023 Presidential executive order around AI as safe, trustworthy, and how we make sure that we bring those ideals and those values to this forum.”

Building off O’Donnell’s point on U.S. engagement in global AI governance, Maloney broke down OECD’s unique role in convening like-minded nations, “the only way to avoid the downsides of AI, which are real, is to enshrine your values in the systems that AI is built on. And what we are able to do on data and on other issues at OECD is get together with the countries who really share our values and to work on issues of inclusivity that open up the opportunities of AI globally, but that also have deeply rooted within them the values of human rights and of free expression and of obviously just accuracy, historical accuracy.”

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. And that is very true in AI,” added Maloney.

Maloney discussed the ongoing efforts to ensure AI benefits are accessible worldwide, “the United States is very focused on both spreading the benefits of AI but also making sure that it is, as Courtney points out, safe and reliable. The Secretary of State recently traveled to New York and made an announcement at the General Assembly, which is just the latest effort…a hundred million dollars commitment…to support the computing that’s required for effective AI to more countries, to open up some of the models to have more local context and language because, of course, the data has to be inclusive of people’s different languages, different cultures, different nuances and sensitivities.”

The discussion also touched on AI’s potential to drive advancements in sustainability and its critical role in supporting climate goals through enhanced modeling, resource management, and innovative energy solutions.

Maloney openly addressed the critical need for sustainable energy solutions to support AI applications, “We can’t lose sight of our energy transition goals, we can’t lose sight of the climate crisis. And that’s why the energy conversation is inextricably linked to the AI conversation because…to do the type of computing required here on these large models requires enormous amounts of energy.”

O’Donnell detailed how UNESCO is leveraging AI in environmental science, “part of UNESCO is the International Oceanographic Committee and the Intergovernmental Hydrological Program, the IHP, where we see it’s using AI to monitor water and resources. So some of the greatest science and climate-based initiatives that have been core to UNESCO’s work and have involvement of great American universities and scientists are now implementing AI into their ongoing work.”

Maloney also highlighted the broader implications of AI for climate policy, stating, “We’ve done enormously important work on this in the United States in the last few years, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and other measures where the Biden administration has really led on climate. And I think what AI opens up is the possibility that you can just accelerate these efforts through better modeling, through better technologies, through better identifying ways in which you can decarbonize while you maintain robust economic growth, which is the key.”

In addition to AI’s potential in climate solutions, Maloney also touched on the transformative potential of AI in global health. “I’ve recently learned about a program in India where, using AI tools, you can cough basically next to your phone and by the sound of your cough, the AI program can diagnose tuberculosis. They’ve already had hundreds of millions of people participate in this program to eradicate that disease in India. So it’s just one example of how exciting these tools are and the incredible diagnostic possibilities.”

On the topic of the potential dangers of AI, O’Donnell and Maloney acknowledged the concerns surrounding AI’s rapid development and its potential misuse. They stressed that, while the technology holds incredible promise, the risks of unchecked development and unintended consequences cannot be ignored. They also highlighted the importance of global cooperation and intentional governance to mitigate these challenges while fostering the benefits of AI.

“If you talk to technologists, and you have a high-level conversation about AI, the fears you typically hear about are the science fiction movie of AI taking over the world or of automated systems doing things that humans can’t stop. And those concerns are, believe it or not, actually real, and we have to be careful,” warned Maloney.

O’Donnell then turned the conversation towards the importance of integrating AI into educational frameworks, and detailed how UNESCO has taken a leading role in fostering digital literacy across various audiences.“At UNESCO, we see that a lot on the education side in terms of how are we thinking about digital literacy, digital learning, both for teachers, for parents, for students to be smarter about sources and to really question that. And so how does that manifest itself in different curricula? How do you ensure textbooks are inclusive? How do you ensure they’re credible?”

O’Donnell also emphasized the importance of preparing educators and learners to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.

Lafayette 148 New York Hosts Holiday Shop To Support The American University’s Women & Politics Institute Featuring Women Senate Chiefs

November 14, 2024 By WHC Insider

*L to R: Keenan Austin Reed, Senay Bulbul, U.K. Ambassador Karen Pierce*

Lafayette 148 New York at Tysons Galleria was the backdrop for an elegant fundraising cocktail reception in support of American University’s Women & Politics Institute and their WeLead campaign training program. The event was hosted by Anita McBride, director of the American University’s First Ladies Initiative, Betsy Fischer Martin, executive director of American University’s Women & Politics Institute, and Tammy Haddad, CEO of Haddad Media and founder of the Washington AI Network.

The evening brought together influential female leaders, advocates, and supporters to celebrate women’s empowerment in politics and to champion the Institute’s ongoing efforts to close the gender gap in political leadership.

*Elizabeth Falcone speaks during the panel discussion alongside Liz Johnson and Reema Dodin*

The bipartisan event featured a lively panel discussion with four female Senate chiefs – Lisa Goeas, chief of staff to Sen. Joni Ernst, Elizabeth Falcone, chief of staff to Sen. Mark Warner, Reema Dodin, chief of staff to Sen. Brian Schatz and Liz Johnson, Chief of Staff to Sen. Mitt Romney. They offered insights into their careers, shared challenges, and the strides being made toward gender equity in government. They further highlighted the importance of mentorship and resilience in shaping a successful career in politics, while emphasizing the critical role that women play in the decision-making process that helps shape important policy and legislation. The event served as a powerful reminder of the progress made and the ongoing work still needed to amplify women’s voices within the space.

*Anita McBride poses with her new book, First Ladies Make History, a children’s book she co-authored with her daughter Giovanna*

*Rep. Debbie Dingell and Boeing’s Nicole Nason*

*Jane Hall, Reema Dodin and Alexandra Veitch*

*Helen Milby, Maria Dakolias, Tara Rigler and Rama Elluru*

*Ali Rogin, Antonia Ferrier and Liz Johnson*

Notable attendees included: UK Ambassador Karen Pierce, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Alexandra Veitch, Helen Milby, Tara Rigler, Lisa Allen, Susan Fox, Keenan Austin Reed, Nicoletta Giordani, Niamh King, Senay Bulbul, Rama Elluru, Jane Adams, Addie Adeniji, Paige Hopkins, Narges Zamani, Susan Davis, LaToya Foster, Veronica Daigle, Virginia Coyne, Robin Goldman, Cat Zakrzewski, Debby Kernan, Ali Rogin, Jane Hall, Nicole Nason, Anina Belle Giannini, Maria Dakolias, Julie Russell, and Joan McEntee