Promise Over Peril: Part One

Like the Silicon Valley region she represents, Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo exemplifies innovation. She's creative, productive, a problem solver and a consensus builder. For over two decades in Congress, Rep. Eshoo has defended consumers, promoted American competitiveness and innovation, fought for access to health care for families and children, protected the environment, and encouraged development of clean energy technology. Rep. Eshoo's work consistently earns the highest approval from a wide range of organizations, including the League of Conservation Voters, the Humane Society, the American Association of University Women, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Science Coalition. The San Jose Mercury News named her one of the ten most powerful women in Silicon Valley "because she sits on committees that oversee the Internet and biotech—areas vital to the valley's interests." In 2017, Rep. Eshoo was awarded the Statesmanship Award by the bipartisan United States Association of Former Members of Congress for her distinguished Congressional service and commitment to improving the lives of others. In 2023, Rep. Eshoo was named one of the “100 most influential people in AI" by TIME magazine. On January 15, 2019, the Democratic Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to elect Congresswoman Eshoo as the first woman ever to serve as Chair of the Health Subcommittee. Rep. Eshoo has served on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee since 1995, and she previously served as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology for six years, the first woman in the history of the Subcommittee to serve in a leadership role.

Ravi Agrawal is the editor in chief of Foreign Policy, a role he assumed in November 2020 after two years as the magazine's managing editor. Before joining FP, Agrawal worked at CNN for more than a decade in full-time roles spanning three continents, including as the network’s New Delhi bureau chief and correspondent. Agrawal has shared a Peabody Award and three Emmy nominations for his work as a TV producer, and his writing for FP was part of a series nominated for a 2020 National Magazine Award for columns and commentary. Agrawal is the author of India Connected: How the Smartphone Is Transforming the World’s Largest Democracy. He is a graduate of Harvard University.

David is the Senior Director for Future Technology Platforms at the Special Competitive Studies Project. David joined SCSP after more than a decade serving in the U.S. Government, most recently as an economic-coned Foreign Service Officer at the Department of State where he focused on China and technology policy. David also previously worked at the Computer Sciences Corporation (now known as DXC Technology) helping launch technology modernization initiatives in support of government clients. David holds a MA in Security Policy Studies and a BA in International Affairs from the George Washington University.

Paul Scharre is the Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at CNAS. He is the award-winning author of Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. His first book, Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War, won the 2019 Colby Award, was named one of Bill Gates’ top five books of 2018, and was named by The Economist one of the top five books to understand modern warfare. TIME magazine named him in 2023 as one of the “100 most influential people in AI.” Scharre previously worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) where he played a leading role in establishing policies on unmanned and autonomous systems and emerging weapons technologies. He led the Department of Defense (DoD) working group that drafted DoD Directive 3000.09, establishing the department’s policies on autonomy in weapon systems. He also led DoD efforts to establish policies on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs and directed energy technologies. Scharre was involved in the drafting of policy guidance in the 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance, 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, and secretary-level planning guidance. Prior to joining OSD, Scharre served as a special operations reconnaissance team leader in the Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion and completed multiple tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the Army’s Airborne, Ranger, and Sniper Schools and Honor Graduate of the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Ranger Indoctrination Program. Scharre has published articles in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, TIME, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, Politico, and USA Today, and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, NPR, and the BBC. He has testified before the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and has presented at the United Nations, NATO, the Pentagon, the CIA, and other national security venues. He holds a PhD in war studies from King’s College London and an MA in political economy and public policy and a BS in physics from Washington University in St. Louis.