AI is advancing faster than anyone expected — and the 2025 AI Index Report proves it. From AI models matching Nobel-level intellect to a 280x drop in computing costs, Stanford’s latest report maps the jaw-dropping acceleration of AI capabilities. The U.S. still leads in AI models and private investment, but China is closing the quality gap—and fast. Meanwhile, AI-driven labs are already making major scientific breakthroughs, like designing nanobodies to fight COVID-19, and outperforming doctors in diagnostic accuracy.
AI is transforming the workplace by enhancing collaboration, speeding up tasks, and expanding access to expertise. A Harvard-Wharton-P&G study found individuals using AI performed as well as human teams, and AI-assisted teams were nearly three times more effective. AI also helped less experienced employees contribute more and encouraged interdisciplinary thinking. Pennsylvania’s ChatGPT pilot showed similar benefits, with employees saving 95 minutes daily and improving workflows. A national survey by JFF found that 57% of workers already see AI reshaping their jobs, though few receive formal training. These findings suggest AI isn’t just a tool for efficiency—it’s a partner reshaping how teams work, learn, and innovate.
In 2025, your next coworker might not be human, but an autonomous AI agent capable of performing specialized, real-world tasks collaboratively and independently. Groundbreaking experiments from Google, Stanford, and Chan Zuckerberg BioHub reveal that teams of AI agents—ranging from computational biologists to critical reviewers—can rapidly innovate, discover new medical treatments, and respond dynamically to emerging. As AI becomes embedded into workplace dynamics, businesses face an exciting yet challenging future, where managing AI agents as digital employees might soon become as common as managing human teams.
DeepSeek's R1 model from China has sent shockwaves through the AI industry, matching OpenAI's top models while claiming development costs of just $5 million. Though experts dispute this figure, R1's emergence has triggered market value losses and security concerns. US companies quickly responded, with Google updating Gemini to outperform R1. The situation highlights tensions around export controls, security vulnerabilities, and the strategic importance of open-source AI development that aligns with democratic values. Security risks have led several US entities to ban DeepSeek. America must accelerate innovation and education to maintain AI leadership.
AI has become an invaluable partner for me, giving me instant access to a wide array of expert “assistants.” I now have a data analyst, driver with Waymo, brainstorming partner, legislative analyst, medical assistant, start-up advisor, graphics designer, and researcher at my fingertips, ready to help whenever I need specialized skills and knowledge.
I am thrilled to share that I have been appointed to the board of the Federation of American Scientists (FAS). It is an incredible honor to have the opportunity to contribute to the vital work of this important organization, particularly during a time when science and technology are progressing at an unprecedented pace.
Recent studies reveal autonomous vehicles (AVs) boast impressive safety records, with far fewer and less severe crashes compared to conventional cars. Advanced AV systems that constantly monitor surroundings, precisely follow traffic laws, and avoid dangerous situations contribute to their superior performance. With rapid technological improvements enabling AVs to learn from analyzing massive amounts of human driving data, they are poised to drastically reduce traffic accidents and fatalities. Further real-world experience for AVs promises to refine their systems and enhance safety even more. Regulators should enable this progress while enacting reasonable safeguards.
The capabilities of AI promise not only efficiency but potentially a more accessible interface for citizens. As governments begin to integrate these technologies into their service-delivery mechanisms, it is imperative to approach the adoption with due diligence, guided by robust frameworks like NIST’s AI RMF. With a combination of strategic foresight, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, governments can harness the power of AI to truly transform public service, making it more responsive and citizen-centric than ever before.
There is an incredible amount of excitement and confusion around what this wave of generative AI means for education. These technologies are rapidly improving, and developers are introducing capabilities that would have been considered science fiction just a few years ago. In my latest Education Next piece, I provide an overview of generative AI and explore how this technology will influence how students learn, how teachers work, and ultimately how we structure our education system.
The Biden administration recently secured voluntary commitments from major AI companies to manage risks associated with AI, including ensuring products are safe and transparent about capabilities and limitations. While a step in the right direction, the vague pledges largely reaffirm existing activities and oversight mechanisms are unclear. This embodies the precautionary principle which can hamper innovation if taken too far through accumulating requirements. There should be a balance between risk mitigation and advancing AI to realize its benefits. The commitments are also oriented toward avoiding harms rather than proactively leveraging AI's potential to address pressing societal challenges like climate change and learning loss. A more ambitious, benefit-focused approach is needed alongside reasonable precautions.
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) coincides with a concerning public health crisis of loneliness and isolation, particularly among young people. According to a CDC survey, a shocking 44% of adolescents are dealing with constant feelings of sadness and hopelessness. As AI technology becomes more prevalent, concerns are growing about its potential to worsen these emotional struggles. This new technological context necessitates a deeper investigation into the role AI might play in intensifying these existing societal issues.
Honored to be included in the Washingtonian Magazine's list of Most Influential People along with so many inspiring leaders. Wonderful to see many friends and colleagues on this list.
Over the past decade, many have been disappointed by the unfulfilled promises of technology transforming education. However, recent advancements in AI, such as OpenAI's GPT-4, may signal a genuine breakthrough. These large-language models have smarter capabilities, function as reasoning engines, use language as an interface, and are scaling rapidly thanks to tech giants. As a result, AI-powered tutoring and teaching assistants are emerging to provide individualized learning, automate administrative tasks, and offer constructive critiques on student writing. While there are limitations, it is expected that future iterations will address these issues. Harnessing AI's potential could lead to a future where education is more effective, equitable, and personalized, with teachers focusing on fostering meaningful connections with their students.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the urgency for state governments to improve digital service delivery and address long-standing technology challenges. The Tech Talent Project, in collaboration with AEI, the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University, and New America, has released a report offering guidance for states to build technical capacity and avoid past pitfalls. I had the privilege of co-chairing this effort with Cecilia Muñoz Former Assistant to the President and Director, White House Domestic Policy Council.
The rise of AI technologies like ChatGPT promises to boost global GDP by 7% in a decade, according to Goldman Sachs. However, this may disrupt 63% of US jobs, including higher-skilled professions like auditors and interpreters. These AI tools will change the nature of work, shifting focus from mundane tasks to more advanced, human-centric activities. Surprisingly, AI could benefit the least skilled workers, narrowing the performance gap among employees. While job displacement is inevitable, the larger disruption may be the creation of new, hybrid jobs combining domain expertise with AI skills. Policymakers must proactively invest in education and workforce training to ease these transitions and capitalize on AI's productivity potential.
Policymakers have yet to fully understand the profound effect the AI revolution will have on our economy, national security, and social well-being. AI, for all its benefits, will also present new risks, challenges, and tensions with our values. To prevent the worst consequences of AI, clear regulations are needed to harness its benefits while managing its risks.
OpenAI. Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology and the Stanford Internet Observatory wrote a provocative report surfacing misinformation risks posed by AI. The report provides a thoughtful framework through which to think about the threat of AI-enabled influence operations and some of the steps that can minimize those risks along with their associated trade-offs.
The recent dismal results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress introduced a new learning-loss puzzle. It was assumed that states with more remote instruction would have lower academic scores than those with more in-person classes during the pandemic. But states that had more days of in-class learning also saw declines. The likely reason is due to the hidden disruptions to student learning caused by COVID quarantines.
Just over a week ago, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that uses a massive dataset to generate human-like responses to text-based inputs. In just five days, the chatbot reached over one million users, a milestone that took Facebook almost a year to achieve when it first launched. As we continue to develop and advance this technology, it will undoubtedly have a significant effect on the future of work and the way we approach tasks and responsibilities. It is important that we carefully consider how we can use AI to its full potential while also mitigating any possible negative effects. By doing so, we can ensure that AI will be a powerful and positive force for change.
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) continues to wrestle with how to best regulate prediction markets. The commission is expected to make a decision as soon as this week on whether the startup Kalshi can offer a market on the outcome of the upcoming midterms. Election prediction markets have proven to be a powerful tool for forecasting elections and are typically more accurate, timely, and complete than conventional methods. Kalshi’s proposal does not pose a risk to the integrity of the US election system. Approving Kalshi’s submission would be a step in the right direction for the commission and promotes the public interest
On September 22, the Senate confirmed Arati Prabhakar as White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) director, the first woman of color and immigrant to hold the position. Prabhakar is uniquely suited for navigating these challenges. She previously headed the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. She held several roles in Silicon Valley, including with the early-stage venture firm US Venture Partners, and she recently founded the nonprofit Actuate, which seeks to bring new actors to the table in developing solutions for areas such as climate, health, and trustworthy data. She will be able to draw on that public and private sector experience to shape how agencies stand up these new programs and design the guidelines and rules for new funding streams.
An unexpectedly productive Congress has passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), CHIPS Act, and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which aim to improve America’s infrastructure, boost competitiveness with China, and accelerate new climate technologies. Attention now shifts to implementation. State and community leaders should begin work now to prepare for funding competitions on the horizon.
An unexpectedly productive Congress has passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), CHIPS Act, and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which aim to improve America’s infrastructure, boost competitiveness with China, and accelerate new climate technologies. Attention now shifts to implementation. State and community leaders should begin work now to prepare for funding competitions on the horizon.
