Panel: "The Human in the Loop: Careers at the Intersection of AI, Power, & Policy"

When: Wednesday, October 7th 2026, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm EDT

Location: Elliott School of International Affairs, Lindner Commons (Room 602), 1957 E Street Northwest, Washington, D.C

Join us for a panel discussion on navigating the job market GSS Employer Career Panel Series, “The Human in the Loop: Careers at the Intersection of AI, Power, and Policy”.This panel connects students with practitioners in technology & AI policy, national security, and International Affairs. Panelists will speak to their career paths and offer practical guidance on breaking into and sustaining work in this field. Confirmed panelists include:

Marcos Bolaños, PhD, Data Scientist/AI Integration Lead, Federal Aviation Administration

Michelle Lopes Maldonado GW-Law,  Head of US AI Policy, ITIF

Caleb Max, CEO and President, National AI Association

Bryan Calhoun MA-SPS '22, Federal Growth Lead, Jaxon.AI

Mya Saint Louis, Program Associate, Tech Congress

Moderator:
David Lin, BA-IA, MA-IA, SCSP  What you can expect to learn/Topics include:

Where Human Judgment Is Still the Job. What "human-in-the-loop" actually means in practice, the specific roles where human judgment is a structural requirement.

Trustworthy AI as a Design and Governance Problem. How "ethical AI" moves from principle to practice- safety frameworks, auditing, accountability structures, and the tension between innovation speed and oversight.

The AI Policy and Governance Career Pipeline. How people actually got these jobs- what backgrounds led panelists into AI policy roles. Which skills are in demand right now and which credentials or experience actually open doors.

Power, Markets, and the Global AI Ecosystem. Who actually shapes AI policy outcomes?  The ecosystem isn't just "government vs. tech",  it's a web of firms, coalitions, and institutions with distinct incentives, and how international affairs experience is directly relevant.
3:30-4:30- Panel/Discussion 4:30- 5PM- Q&A/Networking/Resume reviewFollowing the panel discussion, there will be time to network with panelists and for employer resume review.ESIA NO-SHOW POLICY IS IN EFFECTIn order to ensure the effectiveness of the services offered by the Elliott School's Graduate Student Services and maintain professionalism and courtesy between graduate students, alumni, professional staff, and our Employer Partners, the No-Show Policy is in effect for this event.