A Future-Driven Start: Innovation, Responsibility, and AI

The 2025 Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology Internship officially launched at Georgetown University, bringing together an exceptional group of high school interns eager to explore the cutting edge of innovation. After morning arrivals, students were greeted by Leadership Initiatives staff, checked into their dorms, and joined their teams for introductions. These early team-building moments set the stage for a week focused on collaboration, problem-solving, and exploring the world-changing power of artificial intelligence.

The highlight of the afternoon was the keynote session, “The Future of AI and Responsible Innovation,” delivered by Dr. Daniel Spar of Georgetown University. Dr. Spar discussed how AI is rapidly transforming industries such as healthcare, finance, and environmental science, while challenging students to think critically about ethics and responsibility in technological design. He emphasized that future innovators must not only create cutting-edge tools but also consider the societal implications of their work.

In the evening, interns boarded buses for a twilight tour of the National Mall. Visiting landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and WWII Memorial, students reflected on the values of leadership, perseverance, and vision, concepts that resonate with their journey this week. As they returned to Georgetown, conversations were filled with excitement and curiosity, setting the tone for a week of learning, innovation, and teamwork.