American Innovators: America’s Next Tech Upgrade

Tuesday, October 27, 2020
2:00 p.m. ET to 4:00 p.m. ET

With seven days left before Americans decide who will lead then nation, C_TEC will unveil the Chamber’s technology agenda for 2021. On October 27, C_TEC will hold an event, American Innovators: America’s Next Tech Upgrade to release the agenda.

The virtual event will feature policymakers and technology leaders to discuss what is necessary during the next presidential administration to ensure technology can be a lifeline and accelerator for post-COVID 19 economic growth. 

Breakout sessions will be held on how to connect all Americans to broadband, the need for a national data strategy, technology-driven mobility, and the workforce of the future.

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Main Event 2:00 to 3:00 PM ET

2:00-2:15
Opening and Q&A on Universal Broadband and Connectivity

• Suzanne Clark, President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Ed Gillespie, Senior Executive Vice President External & Legislative Affairs, AT&T

2:15-2:20
Tec Talk

• Jerry Jones, Executive Vice President, Liveramp

2:20-2:25
Tec Talk

• Christina Montgomery, Chief Privacy Officer, IBM

2:25-2:35
A Legislative Upgrade

• Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA)

2:35-2:50
An Enforcement Upgrade

• Tom Quaadman, Executive Vice President, C_TEC
• Noah J. Phillips, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission

2:50-3:00
Closing Remarks

• Tom Quaadman, Executive Vice President, C_TEC

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Breakout Sessions 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET

Connecting All Americans

This panel will address how policymakers and industry can work together to connect the more than 18 million Americans that lack access to high-speed broadband at a time when students, workers, and businesses have had to rely on internet during COVID-19.

• Moderator: Jim Brady, Alliant Group
• Susie Armstrong, Senior Vice President, Engineering, Qualcomm
• Brent Olson, Vice President, Global Public Policy, AT&T
• Evan Swarztrauber, Policy Advisor, Federal Communications Commission
• Rick Cimerman, Vice President, External and State Affairs, NCTA

A National Data Strategy

This panel will address how data is critical to solving problems and improving our lives. Data is helping assist in the fight against COVID-19 and economic recovery. A national data strategy that promotes a single privacy standard, robust artificial intelligence adoption, and government IT modernization will help the nation lead in technology.

• Moderator: Jordan Crenshaw, Executive Director, C_TEC
• Michael Turner, President & CEO, PERC
• Andy Fish, Chief Strategy Officer, Advamed
• Krista Rouse, Head of Consumer Product, The Weather Company
• Sushma Selvarajan, Head of Commercial, EMD Digital

A Modern Tech Workforce

Technology is changing everything. It presents new opportunities and challenges for the workforce of the future. Panelists will discuss how innovative working relationships in the Gig economy are an economic lifeline, the need for a modern immigration policy, how to upskill the workforce and the benefit of data centers.

Moderator: Josh Westfall, USCCF Center for Education and Workforce

• Vikrum Aiyer, Vice President of Global Public Policy & Strategic Communications, Postmates, Inc.
• Brian Barnard, Senior Manager Federal Affairs, Uber
• Anurag Varma, Vice President, Head of Government and Public Affairs, Infosys Limited

Imagining the Future of Transportation

This panel will address how technology is transforming the transportation sector, include drones, urban air mobility, and automated vehicles. Also, it will look at how policymakers can facilitate the safe development and deployment of these technologies.

• Moderator: Matt Furlow, Director, C_TEC
• Jamie Boone, Director, Toyota
• Finch Fulton, Assistant Secretary, USDOT
• Luke Fox, Chief Executive Officer, WhiteFox Defense Technologies