Health data and AI at scale: Policy choices for US competitiveness and security

  • Thu, May 21, 2026 • 1:00 pm ET
  • SVC-203, Capitol Visitors' Center
  • First St SE & E Capitol St
  • Washington, DC 20004

As AI rapidly transforms healthcare and biotechnology, this panel discussion explores the critical decisions shaping health data governance, innovation, privacy, and US competitiveness.

On Thursday, May 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative will host a panel discussion at the Capitol Visitors’ Center on the future of health data and artificial intelligence (AI).

As AI rapidly transforms healthcare, the ability to responsibly access, share, and scale health data has become a defining factor in US competitiveness and national security. How can the US unlock the value of health data while protecting privacy? What governance frameworks are needed to enable innovation at scale? And how does US policy compare globally in the race to lead in AI-driven healthcare?

This discussion brings together congressional staffers and experts to answer those questions and examine the regulatory, technical, and strategic choices ahead. The discussion will explore barriers to data interoperability, the role of federal agencies, evolving privacy and security risks, and the implications for economic leadership and geopolitical competition.

Note: In-person attendees will be required to show photo ID upon arrival. Lunch will be provided.

In-person registration is now closed.

Please reach out to Nitansha Bansal (nbansal@atlanticcouncil.org) for more information.

Introduction

Nitansha Bansal
Associate Director, Cyber Statecraft Initiative,
Atlantic Council

Welcome Remarks

Ranjit Kumble
Vice President,
Enterprise Data Science and Advanced Analytics,
Pfizer

Speakers

Ryan Berger
Former Senior Advisor to the Deputy National Security
Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies,
National Security Council, The White House;
Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Global China Hub,
Atlantic Council 

Kenton Thibaut

Kenton Thibaut
Senior Resident Fellow, China, Digital Forensic Research Lab, Atlantic Council;
Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council

Reginald Darby Jr.
Professional Staff Member, 
Subcommittee of Technology Modernization,
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

Moderated by

Rebecca Katz
Director & Professor,
Center for Global Health Science and Security,
Georgetown University;
Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Africa Center,
Atlantic Council

Closing Remarks

Justin Sherman
Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Cyber Statecraft Initiative,
Atlantic Council

Stay connected

Related content

Issue Brief

May 13, 2026

The US AI health data collision: Charting the future of US cross-border data flow policy, health data, and health and biopharma AI policy 

By Justin Sherman

The race to control America’s most sensitive data is already underway, and most people have no idea.

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Explore the program

The Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, part of the Atlantic Council Technology Programs, works at the nexus of geopolitics and cybersecurity to craft strategies to help shape the conduct of statecraft and to better inform and secure users of technology.

learn more