Established 2026 · Washington, District of Columbia

DC Industrial Policy Salon

Convening leading experts and policymakers to build a better future.

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About the Salon

The DC Industrial Policy Salon was started by Nicholas Wagner, Founder of Learning Journey AI, in 2026. It convenes leading experts and policymakers to discuss issues of science, technology, and industrial production in Washington, DC.

Each salon connects one speaker to a public audience to hear prepared remarks, ask hard questions, and forge new partnerships. Subjects have ranged from research security and the emerging bioeconomy to energy permitting, semiconductors, quantum computing, and the verification of science itself.

  • 6 salons convened
  • 2026 founded

The Programme

  1. Hikers crossing the salt flats of Death Valley beneath a mountain face Upcoming · 26 Oct 2026 Bridging the Defense Tech Valley of Death Dr. Dillon Watring — Director of Research, Integer Technologies Most federally funded research never makes it past the prototype stage. What does it take to carry defense technology across the Valley of Death?
  2. Intellicat logo: a cat reading an open book Upcoming · 14 Oct 2026 AI for Science Has a Bad-Data Problem Valentin Rodionov — Founder & CEO, Intellicat Thirty leading AI models went along with flawed science 93% of the time. What happens when AI treats millions of unreliable papers as ordinary evidence?
  3. A magnifying glass resting on printed text Past · 22 Sep 2026 Verifying Science in the Age of AI Paul Litvak — Robyn Dawes Institute Retractions climb and replication lags. Can AI finally do the tedious forensic work that makes verification scale?
  4. Taipei skyline at dusk Past · 9 Sep 2026 What Would a Taiwan-Style Science Park in the U.S. Actually Look Like? Chris Gorin — former semiconductor journalist in Taiwan Taiwan's science parks built its chip industry. Which investments and industrial policies would it take to build them here?
  5. Quantum computing hardware assembly Past · 3 Aug 2026 Is Quantum Computing Ready for Real-World Impact? Professor Amlan Chakrabarti What does the technological timeline look like for quantum computing, and what are the governments of the U.S., China, and India doing to support their domestic quantum industries?
  6. Scientific instruments in a research laboratory Past · 15 Apr 2026 Is AI Good for Science? Sayash Kapoor Billion-dollar startups and the Genesis Mission promise accelerated discovery. Do the claims hold up to scrutiny?
  7. Transmission lines and power infrastructure at dusk Past · 24 Mar 2026 Unlocking American Energy Abundance Ben Schifman — Institute for Progress The statutory and permitting reforms behind meeting demand from AI, advanced manufacturing, and electrification.
  8. Illustration of laboratory glassware and biological samples Past · 17 Feb 2026 The Emerging Bioeconomy and Research Security Edward You — former FBI Supervisory Special Agent How the expansion of synthetic biology reshapes biotechnology and biomanufacturing, and what protecting it demands.

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