The Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities announces the topic and speaker for its upcoming annual fundraiser, the Gallagher Dialogues, to be held on February 8, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Nevada Museum of Art.

Russell Wald, deputy director for the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), is slated to speak on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and public policy and the many challenges and opportunities Nevada faces as AI becomes more common.

“Everywhere we turn, AI seems to be at the forefront of discussion, whether in business, education, cybersecurity or governance,” Executive Director of the Guinn Center Jill Tolles said. “The purpose of the Gallagher Dialogues is to stimulate community conversation around key topics of the day and how they relate to policy in Nevada and beyond. We are thrilled to bring this topic forward at this year's event and anticipate it will generate thoughtful consideration of the uses, benefits, and risks of AI in our state.” Tolles will serve as moderator during the event.

Tickets may be purchased on Eventbrite and are expected to sell out quickly. All proceeds generated by the event will directly support the operations and nonpartisan policy research of the Guinn Center. The evening’s agenda includes a V.I.P. reception with Wald, which is open to event sponsors and invited guests, and the Gallagher Dialogues main event includes a dessert reception following the presentation where guests will have the opportunity to explore the complexities and possibilities further as AI continues to impact our lives. 

“AI captivated the world in 2023 with unique innovations that put the technology closer to the everyday person,” Wald said. “Now that the general public is more aware of this powerful technology, and with further AI breakthroughs expected in the near future, 2024 will be a critical year for a whole-of-society dialogue to determine what kind of AI future we want. 

Wald oversees HAI's research, education, communications, administrative activities, industry programs, and its policy and society hub. He is the co-author of various publications on AI, including Building a National AI Research Resource (2021), Enhancing International Cooperation in AI Research: The Case for a Multilateral AI Research Institute (2022), The Centrality of Data and Compute for AI Innovation: A Blueprint for a National Research Cloud (2022, Notre Dame Journal of Emerging Technologies). Currently, Wald is part of a HAI seed grant research project titled, Addicted by Design: An Investigation of How AI-fueled Digital Media Platforms Contribute to Addictive Consumption. He also serves as a member of the AI Index Steering Committee, hosted by HAI.

Wald has held various policy program and government relations positions at Stanford University for over a decade. He also served as special assistant to Amy Zegart and Ashton Carter at Stanford's Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC). In 2014, he co-designed and led the inaugural Stanford congressional boot camp, and has since created numerous tech policy boot camps, establishing a strong and effective tradition of educating policymakers at Stanford and enhancing the collaboration between governments and academic institutions.

About the Gallagher Dialogues

The Gallagher Dialogues began in 2023 in honor of late Guinn Center co-founder Tom Gallagher. Gallagher was passionate about promoting democracy, bipartisanship, and the exchange of ideas. In that spirit, this annual event gathers engaged Nevada leaders and community members for an evening of learning, connection, and discourse. Proceeds from Gallagher Dialogues ticket sales and sponsorships directly support the operations of the Guinn Center and its nonpartisan policy research.

About the Guinn Center

The Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy center addressing key challenges faced by policymakers in Nevada. It is affiliated with the University of Nevada, Reno, with researchers and collaborative partnerships at NSHE institutions across the state. 

Founded in 2014 by a group of Nevadans who sought to advance new policy choices based on sound research, sensible and pragmatic thinking, and bold ideas, the Center is named after the late Governor Kenny Guinn.

Its research is financially supported through grants, contracts, and generous contributions from donors. If you would like to support the work of the Guinn Center, visit GuinnCenter.org.