Tech Policy 202: Spring 2026 Educational Seminar Series for Congressional and Federal Staff

About This Course

ITIF’s spring seminar course explores core emerging technologies and issues that are reshaping our world and, in the process, creating public policy challenges and opportunities. The course is open to congressional and federal staff only. It is designed to help those who already have basic level of understanding of technology and tech policy develop a deeper understanding of key emerging technologies and issues and the policy factors associated with them. Participating staff will be exposed to an array of complex tech policy issues confronting Congress, with the opportunity to discuss and debate the questions and policy challenges presented by new technologies with ITIF analysts and other experts. Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the course if they attend at least four out of the five classes. The course and certificate are free of charge.

Topics to Be Explored in the Spring 2026 Seminar Series

• Floating Connection: Broadband and Space-based Technologies
• The Quantum Race: Comparing National Quantum Computing Ecosystems
• Next Gen Drug Development: AI and the Life Sciences
• Children's Online Safety: Risks and Responsibilities
• Don't Panic: Powering Data Centers Without Breaking the Grid

Monday, March 2: Floating Connection: Broadband and Space-based Technologies

As thousands of satellites now orbit the Earth, the space economy is now an essential part of America's communications infrastructure. This session will discuss how current satellite technology addresses connectivity gaps and how policymakers can enable the next generation of technology to provide even greater benefits. Topics will include the various types of satellite constellations and how they provide broadband as well as how these innovative technologies are regulated from launch, orbital debris, spectrum sharing, and broadband funding.

Speakers:

• Joe Kane, Director, Broadband and Spectrum Policy
• Ellis Scherer, Policy Analyst for Broadband, Spectrum, and Space Policy

Monday, March 9: The Quantum Race: Comparing National Quantum Computing Ecosystems

This session will cover what quantum computing is and why it matters, including emerging applications and use cases. It will examine how leading countries, including the United States and key Indo-Pacific players, are building national quantum computing ecosystems, from public R&D and policy strategy to private-sector investment and commercialization pathways. The discussion will explore what distinguishes strong quantum ecosystems and how national approaches shape long-term technological competitiveness.

Speaker:

• Hodan Omaar, Senior Policy Manager, Center for Data Innovation

Monday, March 16: Next Gen Drug Development: AI and the Life Sciences

Will AI revolutionize the life sciences? This session will look at the many opportunities AI creates in the life sciences sector. From using AI to discover new molecules to accelerating literature reviews and transforming R&D productivity, recent technological advancements are already having an important impact on the sector. Participants will discuss how the U.S. compares globally in using AI in life sciences, steps to stay competitive in life sciences, strategies for supporting AI-driven healthcare suggestions, and the impact of data sharing and privacy on AI applications.

Speaker:

• Sandra Barbosu, Associate Director, Center for Life Sciences Innovation

Monday, March 23: Children's Online Safety: Risks and Responsibilities

As children spend more time online, they face growing risks ranging from exposure to inappropriate content and online harassment to sexual exploitation and promotion of harmful behaviors. This session will examine the current digital landscape for children and teens, including the benefits and risks of social media, the rise of child influencers, and the role of emerging technologies like AI and immersive reality in shaping young users’ experiences. Participants will discuss existing and proposed policy approaches to children’s online safety; the balance between protection, privacy, and free expression; and the respective roles of parents, platforms, and government.

Speakers:

• Alex Ambrose, Policy Analyst
• Ash Johnson, Senior Policy Manager

Monday, March 31: Don't Panic: Powering Data Centers Without Breaking the Grid

This session will examine how the rapid, proposed growth of U.S. data centers intersects with the capabilities of the electricity grid. It will explore rising demand from data centers driven by the acceleration of AI, highlighting the significant uncertainty surrounding projected load growth. The grid, however, is inherently slow-moving: bringing substantial new generation online typically takes 5–10 years, new transmission lines can take even longer, and permitting at both the federal and state levels further delays deployment. Utilities and regulators are focused first and foremost on keeping the lights on, and adding massive new demand without corresponding new resources threatens that mission. As a result, the tension between AI-driven demand and grid capabilities is high. Still, there are near-term options on both the demand and supply sides, as well as opportunities to begin building new generation and transmission now to meet longer-term needs.

Speaker:

• Robin Gaster, Research Director, Center for Clean Energy Innovation

About ITIF

Founded in 2006, ITIF is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan research and educational institute—a think tank—whose mission is to formulate, evaluate, and promote policy solutions that accelerate innovation and boost productivity to spur growth, opportunity, and progress. ITIF’s goal is to provide policymakers around the world with high quality information, analysis, and recommendations they can trust. On the strength and influence of its work, the University of Pennsylvania has ranked ITIF as the top science and technology think tank in the world.While ITIF takes positions on many policy issues, this course is not intended to advocate for its positions. Instead, ITIF aims to further its educational mission by fostering rigorous discussion and examining various facets of contemporary tech policy issues.

Legal Compliance and Ethical Guidelines

ITIF has worked closely with counsel at Perkins Coie LLP to ensure these seminars comply with House and Senate ethics guidelines concerning events attended by congressional staff.