The America at 250 Conference brings together distinguished leaders, scholars, innovators, and AI pioneers whose work has shaped democracy, public life, science, technology, and the future of humanity. At this historic moment marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, these speakers represent not only excellence in their fields, but also a shared commitment to trust, human dignity, democratic values, and responsible leadership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.
Together, their voices help frame a forward-looking dialogue on how America and the democratic world can lead with wisdom, innovation, and responsibility in shaping the AI Age.
Governor Michael S. Dukakis
Governor Michael S. Dukakis is one of America’s most respected public leaders, known for his lifelong commitment to democratic governance, public service, and civic responsibility. As co-author of America at 250: A Beacon for the AI Age, his remarks bring historical depth, moral clarity, and public leadership to the conference.
Jason Carter
Jason Carter serves as the symbolic representative receiving the 2026 World Leader for Peace and Security Award on behalf of the leaders of the United States. His special remarks, “America as a Moral Beacon: Continuing the Carter Legacy of Peace, Human Rights, and Trusted Innovation in the Age of AI,” connect the ethical tradition of American leadership with the challenges of the AI Age.
Vint Cerf
Vint Cerf serves as the symbolic representative receiving the 2026 World Leader for Peace and Security Award on behalf of the American people. A pioneering figure of the digital age, he brings exceptional authority to the conference through his remarks on “Building Information Trust Infrastructure for the AI Age.”
Cynthia Dwork
A pioneering scholar in computer science and one of the foundational figures behind differential privacy, Cynthia Dwork delivers the acceptance speech on behalf of the honorees of America at 250: AI Pioneers. Her remarks, “From Differential Privacy to Trust Infrastructure: Building Trustworthy AI for Democracy,” highlight the deep connection between technical rigor and democratic trust.
Regina Barzilay
Regina Barzilay is a leading voice in the application of AI to healthcare and high-stakes human systems. In Panel 1, she speaks on “Trustworthy AI in Healthcare and High-Stakes Human Systems,” bringing an essential perspective on how trust must be built where human lives are directly affected.
Cynthia Breazeal
A pioneer in human-centered AI and social robotics, Cynthia Breazeal has helped define how intelligent systems can interact with people in ways that strengthen connection and social trust. In Panel 1, she speaks on “Human-Centered AI and Social Trust in the Age of Intelligent Systems.”
Alex Pentland
Alex Pentland is one of the world’s most influential thinkers on human-centered technology, social systems, and data-driven trust. In Panel 1, he speaks on “Building Human-Centered Trust Infrastructure for the AI Age,” offering a major perspective on how trust can be designed into systems, institutions, and civic life.
Daphne Koller
Daphne Koller, joining by video, is one of the most accomplished pioneers in artificial intelligence, machine learning, education, and AI-driven health innovation. Her remarks, “From Probabilistic AI to Trusted Information Infrastructure,” offer a powerful perspective on trustworthy information systems and human-centered AI.
Herbert Lin
Herbert Lin brings deep expertise on the intersection of technology, national security, and information integrity. In Panel 2, he speaks on “From Influence Operations to Information Trust Infrastructure: Building Resilience in the AI Age,” addressing the urgent need for democratic resilience in an era of manipulation and misinformation.
Sherry Turkle
A renowned scholar of technology and human relationships, Sherry Turkle has spent decades examining how digital systems affect conversation, empathy, identity, and trust. In Panel 2, she speaks on “Human Relationships, Conversation, and Trust in the Age of AI,” bringing a vital human and cultural dimension to the conference.
Thomas E. Patterson
A distinguished scholar of American politics, media, and democracy, Thomas E. Patterson brings longstanding intellectual leadership on the institutions and values that sustain democratic society. He delivers the Opening Remarks and serves as Moderator of Panel 1, “AIWS Trust Infrastructure for the AI Age,” helping set the tone for the conference’s central discussion on trust, governance, and democratic responsibility.
Nguyen Anh Tuan
Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-Founder, Co-Chair, and CEO of the Boston Global Forum, is a visionary thinker at the intersection of technology, governance, and human values. He presents the book America at 250: A Beacon for the AI Age, introduces the vision and implementation pathway of the AIWS Trust Architecture, and leads the recognition of the America at 250: AI Pioneers.
Roland Schatz
A leading figure in media intelligence and international public communication analysis, Roland Schatz serves as Moderator of Panel 2, “AIWS Information Trust Infrastructure for the AI Age.” He brings a global perspective to the challenge of building trusted information systems in a world shaped by AI and media disruption.
Ramu Damodaran
With deep international experience in diplomacy, multilateral dialogue, and global governance, Ramu Damodaran presents the Beacon Declaration and Beacon Process. His role helps place the founding of the AIWS Trust Infrastructure and the AIWS Information Trust Infrastructure in a broader international and civilizational context.
Yasuhide Nakayama
Yasuhide Nakayama, Member of the National Diet of Japan and Director, LDP Global South, brings an important democratic and international voice to the conference. His commitment to accompany and help implement the Beacon Declaration reflects the growing importance of cooperation among democratic nations in shaping trust, governance, and responsibility for the AI Age.
