The upcoming Washington summit of the Hill and Valley Forum, a significant gathering of technology industry leaders and United States policymakers, will prioritize preserving American supremacy in artificial intelligence while simultaneously expanding advanced manufacturing capabilities, according to event organizers. This high-profile forum, now entering its fifth year, has evolved into a symbol of the deepening relationship between Silicon Valley and the federal government since President Donald Trump's return to office.
Nonpartisan Approach to Technological Leadership
Christian Garrett, a partner at 137 Ventures and one of the forum's founders, emphasized the event's nonpartisan nature, stating that it aims to facilitate open dialogue between technology executives and government officials regardless of political affiliation. "This is nonpartisan, everyone believes in the importance of making sure that the US has technological, industrial and economic leadership and that is important for national security and that is how we create opportunity," Garrett explained during a recent Bloomberg Television interview.
Confirmed Speakers and Industry Representation
The March 24 event has confirmed an impressive roster of speakers including:
- Cristiano Amon, Chief Executive Officer of Qualcomm Inc.
- Brad Lightcap, Chief Operating Officer of OpenAI
- Young Liu, Chairman of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. (Foxconn)
Additionally, prominent venture capitalists such as Trae Stephens from Anduril Industries Inc. and Founders Fund, along with Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures, are scheduled to participate. This diverse representation underscores the forum's comprehensive approach to addressing technological challenges and opportunities.
Evolving Government-Tech Industry Relations
The connections between Washington D.C. and Silicon Valley have strengthened considerably since the forum's inception during President Joe Biden's administration, particularly as the artificial intelligence investment surge aligns with the Trump administration's economic priorities. The forum was established by Garrett alongside Delian Asparouhov, a partner at Founders Fund, and Jacob Helberg, who currently serves as under secretary of state for economic affairs in the Trump administration.
Over the past year, the Trump administration has demonstrated increased confidence in the technology sector, granting industry leaders unprecedented access to government mechanisms. Several venture capitalists, including David Sacks of Craft Ventures, have assumed government positions overseeing artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency policy. Meanwhile, chief executives such as Nvidia Corp.'s Jensen Huang, Meta Platforms Inc.'s Mark Zuckerberg, and OpenAI's Sam Altman have become frequent visitors to the White House.
Maintaining Influence Across Political Transitions
Despite these developments, forum organizers stress the importance of maintaining the technology industry's influence in Washington regardless of which political party holds power. "We want to make sure that, irrespective of who is president, it is a place where we can maintain those ties, no matter who is in office," Asparouhov stated during the Bloomberg Television interview.
Garrett revealed plans to include technology leaders from countries allied with the United States in future forums, noting that similar government-industry partnerships are emerging globally. "The same trend is happening abroad where you are seeing governments partnering with their technological sector," he observed. "Industrial and technological ownership through companies will play a big role in how the US and allies work together."
This strategic focus on international collaboration highlights the forum's recognition that technological leadership extends beyond domestic concerns to encompass global partnerships and competitive positioning in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape.
