DC AI Guide
Your guide to DC's AI policy community
Find the events, communities, and resources for getting involved in AI policy, governance, and civic technology in Washington, DC.
New to the space? Start here.
- 1Go to an event — AI Discussion Club walks are beginner-friendly and free.
- 2Join a community — Civic Tech DC connects builders and policy advocates.
- 3Follow a newsletter — Beltway Bits covers DC tech and AI events.
Upcoming Events
In-person and virtual gatherings in DC where you can learn, connect, and get involved.
Reboot Hour: NEXT | AI, Data & e-Waste
An eWaste Warriors networking event exploring where AI, data centers, personal data, and electronics sustainability intersect, with an interactive networking game plus on-site device data recovery, secure wiping, repair, and recycling services. At Courthaus Social, one block from Court House Metro.
Presented by eWaste Warriors
Inside the FRONTIER Act: A Bipartisan AI Framework from Congress
A Capitol Hill lunch briefing on the bipartisan FRONTIER Act, a new framework for frontier AI oversight. Congressional leaders behind the legislation give remarks, followed by a panel of technical and policy experts on independent evaluations, risk management, transparency, and federal oversight. Off the record and closed to the press.
Presented by Fathom
AI for Defense Summit 2026
A two-day summit convening senior leaders from the Department of War, Intelligence Community, federal government, industry, and academia to examine how AI is being operationalized for national security. Free for DoD and federal employees; paid for industry and academia. At the AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design.
Presented by DSI Group
An Accessible Guide to How AI Actually Works
A virtual Upskilling Labs workshop on design thinking strategies for moving from research to build, led by Javi Calderon, product strategist, educator, and founder of District Innovation.
Presented by The Upskilling Labs
NDIA Global Defense Hackathon 2026
A week-long Defense Technologies Hackathon connecting Department of War challengers with industry innovators on AI-enabled defense platforms, autonomous systems, and contested logistics. Culminates in NDIA's flagship Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference & Exhibition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Presented by National Defense Industrial Association
Meet the Projects: Civics & Elections
Project teams made up of 3-7 Upskillers share the civics- and elections-focused projects they plan to build and solicit input from invited civics, elections, and emerging-tech experts. Preceded by an Upskilling Labs workshop, open to the public.
Presented by The Upskilling Labs
Resources
Courses, newsletters, trackers, career guides, fellowships, and organizations across the DC AI landscape — filter by the kind of thing you're after.
Generative AI for Everyone
Free course by Andrew Ng — no coding required. Covers how generative AI works, prompt engineering strategies, and real-world applications for any profession.
The Upskilling Labs
Hands-on community learning in AI applied to health, climate, and civics. Anchored in local libraries and community spaces, serving underserved populations.
AWS Arlington Skills Center
Free in-person AI and cloud computing training at Amazon's Arlington, VA facility — hands-on labs, workshops, and career resources for job seekers and career changers in the DC metro.
Beltway Bits
Weekly newsletter rounding up DC tech and AI events, meetups, and community happenings. The go-to guide for staying plugged into the local scene.
AI Policy Daily
Daily email newsletter from the AI Policy Institute, a DC-based nonprofit, briefing on frontier AI governance — federal regulation, congressional developments, international relations, and industry actions, with curated top stories and links to source reporting.
Don't Worry About the Vase
Zvi Mowshowitz's Substack covering AI developments, policy, and safety — known for thorough weekly AI roundups, careful reasoning about emerging risks, and pragmatic takes on regulation.
Machine Speed
Daria's weekly threat landscape update for people who need to understand what machine-speed conflict looks like — tracking AI-enabled cyber attacks, AI-enabled defenses, and the policy frameworks struggling to keep pace.
In the Weeds
Hannah Stulberg's Substack with practical AI guides for knowledge workers — from Claude Code workflows to foundational tools and end-to-end productivity strategies.
Jasmine Sun's Blog
Essays on AI and Silicon Valley culture — an anthropology of disruption. Critical thinking about how technology reshapes society and who it affects.
MIT AI Risk Repository
Comprehensive database of 1,700+ AI risks drawn from existing frameworks, organized by causal factors and risk domain — a free reference for researchers, policymakers, and regulators mapping the AI threat landscape.
AI Policy Hub
Will Rinehart's project at the American Enterprise Institute tracking AI policy across all levels of government — state bill trackers, federal legislation, executive actions, official datasets, and economic research on regulatory tradeoffs.
AI on the Ballot
Nonpartisan platform tracking where 2026 U.S. congressional candidates stand on AI policy across ten topics — export controls, military uses, regulation, data centers, workforce, deepfakes, IP, and child safety. Look up your district by zip code. Run by Evitable.
Congressional Committee Calendar
Track upcoming congressional hearings relevant to AI — especially from Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation and House Science, Space & Technology, which regularly hold public hearings on AI policy.
AI Reading List for Policy People
Curated GitHub reading list for policy professionals getting up to speed on AI — covering agentic coding tools, intro AI classes, sector-specific impacts (semiconductors, biotech, cybersecurity), and 38+ AI newsletters and Substacks grouped by topic. Aimed at non-developers who need to talk intelligently with technical staff.
Emerging Technology Policy Careers — AI Policy
Horizon's deep-dive guide to AI policy careers — covering the landscape of DC institutions, key roles, career pathways, and curated readings for anyone exploring work in AI governance.
The US AI Policy Landscape
In-depth overview of the US AI policy ecosystem — mapping federal agencies, congressional committees, think tanks, and industry groups to help you identify where you can have the biggest impact.
Career Review: AI Governance and Coordination
Comprehensive career review covering what AI governance work looks like, who's a good fit, how to get started, and how the field compares to other high-impact career paths.
How to Get into AI Policy?
Practical, experience-based advice on breaking into AI policy — covering how to build relevant skills, find entry points, and navigate a field that doesn't have a single obvious door.
FAQs and General Advice on AI Policy Careers
Candid answers to common questions about AI policy careers — from a veteran of OpenAI and the White House OSTP. Covers what backgrounds are useful, how to stand out, and what the work actually looks like.
Horizon Fellowship
Fully-funded fellows placed at federal agencies, congressional offices, and think tanks to tackle AI, biotech, and emerging tech policy challenges. Includes policy training, mentorship, and a close-knit community — up to two years.
Career Accelerator
A nine-month, part-time, remote program that helps students, recent grads, and career-changers break into AI policy. Pick-and-choose support: mentorship, up to $50k in flexible funding, application coaching, networking intros, and optional training modules. No minimum experience required.
AI Rapid Response Fellowship
A one-year placement in a federal office helping the government respond to fast-moving AI security challenges. Horizon recruits a specialized cohort of technical and policy talent — distinct from the main fellowship.
Congressional Innovation Fellowship
Places technologists in congressional offices and committees to shape tech policy from the inside. Fellows have served under leaders from both parties — from Speaker Pelosi to Majority Leader Thune.
AI Policy Leadership Network
A part-time program strengthening relationships among AI policy leaders in government, think tanks, and industry. Monthly evening discussions in DC with key figures in AI policy, plus a Bay Area learning trip. No homework — designed to be compatible with demanding full-time roles.
Conservative AI Policy Fellowship
An eight-week, part-time fellowship for conservative policy professionals in DC seeking to understand AI and the debates around emerging technology. Work-compatible and designed for those already in the policy world.
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship
Opportunities for scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about federal policymaking while using their knowledge and skills to address today's most pressing societal challenges. One of the longest-running S&T policy fellowship programs in the country.
CAST Fellowship
Develops new generations of policy analysts at the intersection of technology and security. Fellows research AI security, technology policy and governance, or biosecurity with mentorship from RAND experts. Six-month to three-year terms, full- or part-time, with stipends from $40k to $200k based on experience. Open to undergrads through mid-career professionals.
NIST AI
Federal AI standards, research, and public events from the National Institute of Standards and Technology — including the AI Risk Management Framework, AI agent standards, and regular public webinars.
SeedAI
DC-based nonprofit advancing AI readiness through policy guidance, literacy programs, and stakeholder convenings — helping policymakers and communities navigate AI's risks and opportunities.
POPVOX Foundation
Nonpartisan nonprofit helping democratic institutions adapt to AI and emerging technology — with practical guides, training, and research for legislators and civic organizations.
Public AI Network
Coalition advancing AI as public infrastructure — provisioned like electricity, water, libraries, or the Internet — and accountable to the public interest. Backed by Metagov, Mozilla, and the Rockefeller Foundation. Offers a Slack community, seminar series, white papers, and open-source projects.
Renaissance Philanthropy Programs
Communities of ARPA program managers, policy entrepreneurs, and science accelerators working on responsible innovation and directing resources toward societal benefit.
Job Board
Open roles in AI policy, governance, and civic tech around DC — curated by the community.
Showing 95 of 95 roles
| Apply | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Institute of Standards and TechnologyNot statedcloses Aug 31, 2026$121,785–$187,093 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | Not stated | $121,785–$187,093 | Aug 31, 2026today | Apply |
US Government, National Institute of Standards and TechnologyNot statedcloses Aug 31, 2026$121,785–$197,200 | US Government, National Institute of Standards and Technology | Not stated | $121,785–$197,200 | Aug 31, 2026today | Apply |
National Institute of Standards and TechnologyNot statedcloses Sep 2, 2026$121,785–$197,200 | National Institute of Standards and Technology | Not stated | $121,785–$197,200 | Sep 2, 2026in 2 days | Apply |
80,000 HoursRemotecloses Sep 3, 2026$104k–$176k | 80,000 Hours | Remote | $104k–$176k | Sep 3, 2026in 3 days | Apply |
80,000 HoursRemotecloses Sep 3, 2026$116k–$176k | 80,000 Hours | Remote | $116k–$176k | Sep 3, 2026in 3 days | Apply |
National Nuclear Security AdministrationIn personcloses Sep 3, 2026$149,550–$194,417 | National Nuclear Security Administration | In person | $149,550–$194,417 | Sep 3, 2026in 3 days | Apply |
U.S. Patent and Trademark OfficeIn personcloses Sep 4, 2026$220,000 | U.S. Patent and Trademark Office | In person | $220,000 | Sep 4, 2026in 4 days | Apply |
Defense Counterintelligence and Security AgencyNot statedcloses Sep 7, 2026$167,446–$197,200 | Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency | Not stated | $167,446–$197,200 | Sep 7, 2026in 7 days | Apply |
Defense Information Systems AgencyNot statedcloses Sep 7, 2026$169,279 | Defense Information Systems Agency | Not stated | $169,279 | Sep 7, 2026in 7 days | Apply |
Federation of American ScientistsNot statedcloses Sep 7, 2026$5k | Federation of American Scientists | Not stated | $5k | Sep 7, 2026in 7 days | Apply |
Department of JusticeIn personcloses Sep 8, 2026$151,661–$228,000 | Department of Justice | In person | $151,661–$228,000 | Sep 8, 2026in 8 days | Apply |
Institute for AI Policy and StrategyNot statedcloses Sep 8, 2026$86k–$101k | Institute for AI Policy and Strategy | Not stated | $86k–$101k | Sep 8, 2026in 8 days | Apply |
Institute for AI Policy and StrategyNot statedcloses Sep 8, 2026$97,000–$126,500 | Institute for AI Policy and Strategy | Not stated | $97,000–$126,500 | Sep 8, 2026in 8 days | Apply |
Institute for AI Policy and StrategyNot statedcloses Sep 8, 2026$122k–$165k | Institute for AI Policy and Strategy | Not stated | $122k–$165k | Sep 8, 2026in 8 days | Apply |
National Security AgencyIn personcloses Sep 11, 2026$105,262–$197,200 | National Security Agency | In person | $105,262–$197,200 | Sep 11, 2026in 11 days | Apply |
Department of the TreasuryNot statedcloses Sep 21, 2026$89,508–$197,200 | Department of the Treasury | Not stated | $89,508–$197,200 | Sep 21, 2026 | Apply |
AAASNot statedcloses Nov 1, 2026~$101,401–$131,826 | AAAS | Not stated | ~$101,401–$131,826 | Nov 1, 2026 | Apply |
10a LabsRemoterolling$100k–$120k | 10a Labs | Remote | $100k–$120k | Rolling | Apply |
10a LabsRemoterolling$130k–$200k | 10a Labs | Remote | $130k–$200k | Rolling | Apply |
10a LabsRemoterolling$25–$32.50/hr | 10a Labs | Remote | $25–$32.50/hr | Rolling | Apply |
10a LabsRemoterolling$25–$32.50/hr | 10a Labs | Remote | $25–$32.50/hr | Rolling | Apply |
AI Futures ProjectNot statedrolling$150k–$200k | AI Futures Project | Not stated | $150k–$200k | Rolling | Apply |
AnthropicHybridrolling$245k–$305k | Anthropic | Hybrid | $245k–$305k | Rolling | Apply |
AnthropicHybridrolling$245k–$285k | Anthropic | Hybrid | $245k–$285k | Rolling | Apply |
AnthropicHybridrolling$245k–$285k | Anthropic | Hybrid | $245k–$285k | Rolling | Apply |
AnthropicHybridrolling$230k–$270k | Anthropic | Hybrid | $230k–$270k | Rolling | Apply |
AnthropicRemoterolling$285k–$330k | Anthropic | Remote | $285k–$330k | Rolling | Apply |
AnthropicHybridrolling$345k | Anthropic | Hybrid | $345k | Rolling | Apply |
AnthropicHybridrolling$300k–$405k | Anthropic | Hybrid | $300k–$405k | Rolling | Apply |
AnthropicHybridrolling$375k–$455k | Anthropic | Hybrid | $375k–$455k | Rolling | Apply |
ArmadaRemoterolling$202k–$253k | Armada | Remote | $202k–$253k | Rolling | Apply |
ArmadaRemoterolling$188k–$235k | Armada | Remote | $188k–$235k | Rolling | Apply |
ArmadaRemoterolling$188k–$235k | Armada | Remote | $188k–$235k | Rolling | Apply |
ArmadaRemoterolling$121,120–$151,400 | Armada | Remote | $121,120–$151,400 | Rolling | Apply |
AVERIRemoterolling$155k–$240k | AVERI | Remote | $155k–$240k | Rolling | Apply |
AVERIRemoterolling$220k–$330k | AVERI | Remote | $220k–$330k | Rolling | Apply |
Center for a New American SecurityNot statedrolling | Center for a New American Security | Not stated | — | Rolling | Apply |
Code for AmericaRemoterolling$128,945–$157,850 | Code for America | Remote | $128,945–$157,850 | Rolling | Apply |
Code MetalNot statedrolling | Code Metal | Not stated | — | Rolling | Apply |
Code MetalNot statedrolling | Code Metal | Not stated | — | Rolling | Apply |
Code MetalNot statedrolling | Code Metal | Not stated | — | Rolling | Apply |
Committee for a Responsible Federal BudgetNot statedrolling$75k–$115k | Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget | Not stated | $75k–$115k | Rolling | Apply |
Control AIIn personrolling$90k–$160k | Control AI | In person | $90k–$160k | Rolling | Apply |
CruxRemoterolling$150k–$220k | Crux | Remote | $150k–$220k | Rolling | Apply |
EncodeNot statedrolling$175k–$210k | Encode | Not stated | $175k–$210k | Rolling | Apply |
EncodeRemoterolling$170k–$200k | Encode | Remote | $170k–$200k | Rolling | Apply |
EncodeRemoterolling$130k–$160k | Encode | Remote | $130k–$160k | Rolling | Apply |
Federation of American ScientistsHybridrolling$75k–$90k | Federation of American Scientists | Hybrid | $75k–$90k | Rolling | Apply |
Georgetown University, Center for Security and Emerging TechnologyNot statedrolling$100k–$190k | Georgetown University, Center for Security and Emerging Technology | Not stated | $100k–$190k | Rolling | Apply |
Google DeepMindNot statedrolling$188k–$205k | Google DeepMind | Not stated | $188k–$205k | Rolling | Apply |
Google DeepMindNot statedrolling$307k–$427k | Google DeepMind | Not stated | $307k–$427k | Rolling | Apply |
GovAINot statedrolling$175k–$205k | GovAI | Not stated | $175k–$205k | Rolling | Apply |
Hudson InstituteNot statedrolling | Hudson Institute | Not stated | — | Rolling | Apply |
ObviantNot statedrolling | Obviant | Not stated | — | Rolling | Apply |
ObviantNot statedrolling$160k–$225k | Obviant | Not stated | $160k–$225k | Rolling | Apply |
ObviantHybridrolling$180k–$220k | Obviant | Hybrid | $180k–$220k | Rolling | Apply |
ObviantHybridrolling$170k–$215k | Obviant | Hybrid | $170k–$215k | Rolling | Apply |
Palisade ResearchHybridrolling$120k–$180k | Palisade Research | Hybrid | $120k–$180k | Rolling | Apply |
Palisade ResearchHybridrolling$140k–$180k | Palisade Research | Hybrid | $140k–$180k | Rolling | Apply |
Palisade ResearchHybridrolling$120k–$140k | Palisade Research | Hybrid | $120k–$140k | Rolling | Apply |
Palisade ResearchHybridrolling$120k–$160k | Palisade Research | Hybrid | $120k–$160k | Rolling | Apply |
RAND CorporationRemoterolling$177,500–$235,000 | RAND Corporation | Remote | $177,500–$235,000 | Rolling | Apply |
RAND CorporationRemoterolling$40k–$200k | RAND Corporation | Remote | $40k–$200k | Rolling | Apply |
RAND CorporationRemoterolling$137,000–$246,600 | RAND Corporation | Remote | $137,000–$246,600 | Rolling | Apply |
RAND CorporationRemoterolling$90,400–$274,300 | RAND Corporation | Remote | $90,400–$274,300 | Rolling | Apply |
RAND CorporationRemoterolling$90,400–$274,300 | RAND Corporation | Remote | $90,400–$274,300 | Rolling | Apply |
Special Competitive Studies ProjectNot statedrolling$64,000–$91,500 | Special Competitive Studies Project | Not stated | $64,000–$91,500 | Rolling | Apply |
Special Competitive Studies ProjectNot statedrolling$90,000–$169,500 | Special Competitive Studies Project | Not stated | $90,000–$169,500 | Rolling | Apply |
Special Competitive Studies ProjectNot statedrolling$64,000–$92,500 | Special Competitive Studies Project | Not stated | $64,000–$92,500 | Rolling | Apply |
Special Competitive Studies ProjectNot statedrolling$22–$26/hr | Special Competitive Studies Project | Not stated | $22–$26/hr | Rolling | Apply |
TENEX.AIRemoterolling | TENEX.AI | Remote | — | Rolling | Apply |
TENEX.AINot statedrolling | TENEX.AI | Not stated | — | Rolling | Apply |
TENEX.AIRemoterolling | TENEX.AI | Remote | — | Rolling | Apply |
TENEX.AIRemoterolling | TENEX.AI | Remote | — | Rolling | Apply |
The AI Policy NetworkNot statedrolling$165k–$235k | The AI Policy Network | Not stated | $165k–$235k | Rolling | Apply |
The AI Policy NetworkNot statedrolling$90k–$120k | The AI Policy Network | Not stated | $90k–$120k | Rolling | Apply |
The AI Policy NetworkNot statedrolling$115k–$140k | The AI Policy Network | Not stated | $115k–$140k | Rolling | Apply |
The AI Policy NetworkNot statedrolling$140k–$180k | The AI Policy Network | Not stated | $140k–$180k | Rolling | Apply |
The AI Policy NetworkNot statedrolling$60k–$90k | The AI Policy Network | Not stated | $60k–$90k | Rolling | Apply |
The AI Policy NetworkNot statedrolling$65k–$95k | The AI Policy Network | Not stated | $65k–$95k | Rolling | Apply |
The AI Policy NetworkNot statedrolling$55k–$75k | The AI Policy Network | Not stated | $55k–$75k | Rolling | Apply |
The AI Policy NetworkNot statedrolling$190k–$260k | The AI Policy Network | Not stated | $190k–$260k | Rolling | Apply |
The Alliance for Secure AIHybrid · 3 daysrolling$120k–$150k | The Alliance for Secure AI | Hybrid · 3 days | $120k–$150k | Rolling | Apply |
UnstructuredRemoterolling | Unstructured | Remote | — | Rolling | Apply |
UnstructuredRemoterolling | Unstructured | Remote | — | Rolling | Apply |
UnstructuredRemoterolling | Unstructured | Remote | — | Rolling | Apply |
Vannevar LabsRemoterolling | Vannevar Labs | Remote | — | Rolling | Apply |
Vannevar LabsNot statedrolling | Vannevar Labs | Not stated | — | Rolling | Apply |
Vannevar LabsRemoterolling$150k–$215k | Vannevar Labs | Remote | $150k–$215k | Rolling | Apply |
Vannevar LabsNot statedrolling | Vannevar Labs | Not stated | — | Rolling | Apply |
Vannevar LabsRemoterolling | Vannevar Labs | Remote | — | Rolling | Apply |
Vannevar LabsRemoterolling | Vannevar Labs | Remote | — | Rolling | Apply |
Vannevar LabsNot statedrolling$180k–$220k | Vannevar Labs | Not stated | $180k–$220k | Rolling | Apply |
Vannevar LabsNot statedrolling$180k–$220k | Vannevar Labs | Not stated | $180k–$220k | Rolling | Apply |
Vannevar LabsRemoterolling | Vannevar Labs | Remote | — | Rolling | Apply |
Join a Community
Ongoing groups and channels where you can connect with others working on AI policy, governance, and civic tech in DC.
Public AI Slack
An open Slack community exploring how publicly-owned AI infrastructure can strengthen democracy and serve the public interest.
AI Discussion Club
Hosts outdoor discussion walks and meetups exploring AI's impact on work, society, and the future. DC-based and welcoming to newcomers.
Civic Tech DC
A community of technologists, designers, and policy advocates building technology for civic good in DC.
The Upskilling Labs
Open learning pods applying AI to health, climate, and civics — join anytime, no gatekeeping. Anchored in libraries and community spaces, serving underserved populations.
Claude Builder Club at UMD
An inclusive student community at the University of Maryland for exploring AI development, building projects, and learning about AI's benefits and risks. Open to all majors and skill levels.
Claude Builder Club at Georgetown
A Georgetown University student club for building with AI — workshops, hackathons, Anthropic-led panels, and hands-on projects. Open to students of all experience levels.
The AI Collective DC
DC chapter of a global AI community connecting local professionals and enthusiasts through events like AI on the Hill Demo Night — building the human layer for the AI era.
Data Community DC
DC community calendar for data science and AI events — technical meetups, industry panels, and AI-for-government programming with local experts and practitioners.
Startups & AI Walks
In-person AI community walks in DC fostering connections, conversations, and new ideas among practitioners, founders, and the AI-curious.
SCSP AI Expo
Major DC event convening government, academic, and industry leaders to explore AI competitiveness, security, and responsible deployment.