AI Compass DC
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.
Learn About AI
Courses, newsletters, and blogs to build your understanding of artificial intelligence — from the basics to the cutting edge.
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.
Beltway Bits
Weekly newsletter rounding up DC-area tech and AI events, meetups, and community happenings. The go-to guide for staying plugged into the local scene.
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.
SCSP AI Expo
Major DC event convening government, academic, and industry leaders to explore AI competitiveness, security, and responsible deployment.
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.
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.
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.
Data Community DC
DC-area community calendar for data science and AI events — technical meetups, industry panels, and AI-for-government programming with local experts and practitioners.
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.
Emerging Technology Policy Careers
Horizon Institute's comprehensive guide to launching a career in tech policy — 100+ in-depth guides and 200+ curated opportunities covering AI, cybersecurity, entry pathways, and key government institutions.
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 area.
Mitigate Risks
Resources for understanding and reducing the potential harms of AI — from concentration of power to misuse and misalignment.
Beltway Bits
Weekly newsletter rounding up DC-area tech and AI events, meetups, and community happenings. The go-to guide for staying plugged into the local scene.
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.
Public AI Slack
Community exploring publicly-owned AI infrastructure to strengthen democracy and counter corporate concentration. Connected to Brookings research on how public AI can serve the public interest.
Renaissance Philanthropy Programs
Communities of ARPA program managers, policy entrepreneurs, and science accelerators working on responsible innovation and directing resources toward societal benefit.
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.
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.
Maximize Benefits
Communities and programs applying AI for social good — in health, climate, civic life, and economic opportunity.
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.
Renaissance Philanthropy Programs
Communities of ARPA program managers, policy entrepreneurs, and science accelerators working on responsible innovation and directing resources toward societal benefit.
Startups & AI Walks
In-person AI community walks in DC fostering connections, conversations, and new ideas among practitioners, founders, and the AI-curious.
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.
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.
Data Community DC
DC-area community calendar for data science and AI events — technical meetups, industry panels, and AI-for-government programming with local experts and practitioners.
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.
Emerging Technology Policy Careers
Horizon Institute's comprehensive guide to launching a career in tech policy — 100+ in-depth guides and 200+ curated opportunities covering AI, cybersecurity, entry pathways, and key government institutions.
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 area.
Protect the Vulnerable
Efforts to ensure AI serves everyone — especially communities most likely to be affected by automated decision-making.
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.
Public AI Slack
Community exploring publicly-owned AI infrastructure to strengthen democracy and counter corporate concentration. Connected to Brookings research on how public AI can serve the public interest.
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.
Upcoming Events
In-person and virtual gatherings in the DC area where you can learn, connect, and get involved.
OpenClaw for Everyone
A Data Science DC presentation on an always-on open-source AI agent, covering implementation and challenges of continuous AI systems.
Presented by Data Community DC
Code, Power, and the Public: Women Shaping AI for Democracy
An event highlighting women leaders working at the intersection of AI, civic technology, and democratic governance.
Presented by Civic Tech DC
DCA - Startups & AI Walks - April Edition
Casual in-person walks for the DC AI and startup community. Great for meeting people and swapping ideas in a low-key setting.
Presented by Aggregate Intellect
Outdoor Discussion Walk: AI and the Future of Work / Jobs
A walking discussion exploring how AI is reshaping employment, the future of work, and what it means for workers and communities.
Presented by AI Discussion Club
SCSP AI Expo
A major convening in Washington, DC bringing together government, academic, and industry leaders on AI competitiveness and responsible deployment.
Presented by Special Competitive Studies Project
Join the Community
Ongoing groups and channels where you can connect with others working on AI policy, governance, and civic tech in the DC area.
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 the DC area.
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.