AI, workers, and national security in a changing world
A conversation with  Sen. Mark Kelly

Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: The Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Artificial intelligence is increasingly recognized as a general-purpose technology with the potential to alter how work is performed across the economy. Although workforce impact estimates span a wide range, the possibility of concentrated losses in specific industries or demographics has drawn growing attention from researchers, employers, and policymakers. Meanwhile, the computational demands of the AI industry have placed significant pressure on existing physical infrastructure, as companies building new data centers have encountered constraints across several core inputs and, in some cases, communities near data centers have reported rising energy costs. As AI advances, its implications are also expected to extend beyond domestic policy to national security, with several governments, including the United States, viewing AI as a potentially significant factor in military capability and strategic competition.  

Last fall, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) released a white paper that laid out an “AI for America” roadmap that advocates for policies to support workers and build out AI infrastructure. He has introduced two bills aimed at improving awareness and literacy of the benefits and risks of AI, and has served national security-focused roles both in uniform and as a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services. 

On Wednesday, March 11, join the Brookings Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiative for a discussion that explores Sen. Kelly's views on addressing the potential economic and infrastructure impacts of AI, while simultaneously navigating the technology’s national security implications amid a shifting geopolitical landscape. This fireside chat will be followed by an expert panel discussion that dives deeper on questions of AI, national security, and responsible adoption in military and defense applications.