2025 Pacific Technology Policy Conference
Advances in digital connectivity and emerging technologies are increasingly shaping global strategic competition, necessitating greater cooperation on technology and innovation policy between the United States and Indo-Pacific partners. Recognizing the importance of these issues in the Pacific Northwest–which is both a major technology hub and serves as the nation’s gateway to the Pacific—the National Bureau of Asian Research hosted its second annual Pacific Technology Policy Conference in Seattle on March 13, 2025. The conference convened high-level and policy-relevant discussions between U.S. and Indo-Pacific public and private sector stakeholders on key technology policy questions. Around 100 attendees participated in the full-day conference, which was hosted at K&L Gates Seattle and sponsored by Microsoft, the Korea Foundation, and K&L Gates.
Agenda Overview
OPENING REMARKS
Michael Wills, President, National Bureau of Asian Research
WELCOME REMARKS
Tom Robertson, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Microsoft
PANEL 1: International Perspectives on Indo-Pacific Technology and Innovation Cooperation
A discussion among key stakeholders from countries such as the United States, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom on their respective tech and innovation priorities, as well as the biggest risks and opportunities emerging from rapid technological advancements.
Tami Overby, Senior Advisor, Albright Stonebridge Group; Advisor, National Bureau of Asian Research (moderator)
Mungo Woodifield, Minister Counsellor for Trade and Global Issues, British Embassy to the United States of America
Jungmi Cha, Research Fellow, Foreign Policy and Security Strategy Division, ROK National Assembly Futures Institute
Robert Holleyman, Advisor, National Bureau of Asian Research; former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
Daisuke Kawai, Project Assistant Professor and Deputy Director of the Economic Security Research Program, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology; Nonresident Fellow, National Bureau of Asian Research
FIRESIDE CHAT
Fireside Chat moderated by Tami Overby with:
Ambassador Mark Lippert, Executive Vice President, North American Public Affairs, and Chief Risk Officer, Samsung
PANEL 2: Tech Security, Export Controls, and Critical Supply Chains
A discussion of the latest policies and developments around ensuring secure and resilient emerging technology supply chains, particularly with relevance to the AI ecosystem. This panel will also examine both recent and potential U.S. export controls, as well as the growing risk of retaliatory Chinese controls.
Nelson Dong, Advisor, National Bureau of Asian Research (moderator)
John VerWey, East Asia National Security Advisor, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Dale Swartz, Partner, McKinsey & Company
Katherine Moy, Principal Corporate Counsel, Global Trade, Microsoft
LUNCH
Fireside Chat moderated by Michael Wills with:
Julie Brill, Chief Privacy Officer and Corporate Vice President, Global Privacy, Safety, and Regulatory Affairs, Microsoft
PANEL 3: Next-Generation Batteries and Critical Mineral Supply Chains
A discussion of the latest policies and developments around battery technologies and the critical mineral supply chains necessary to support this rapidly expanding industry.
Doug Strub, Director, Research and Programs, National Bureau of Asian Research (moderator)
Sangmin Shim, Professor, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology Graduate School of Green Growth and Sustainability
Charlie Vest, Associate Director, Rhodium Group
Clara Gillispie, Advisor, National Bureau of Asian Research
Grant Ray, VP, Global Market Strategy, Group14
PANEL 4: Ensuring Public-Private Alignment for Effective Cyber Policy
An examination of how competing approaches to global cybersecurity policy impacts private sector implementation, innovation, and security.
Karolos Karnikis, Senior Vice President, Technology, National Bureau of Asian Research (moderator)
Andrew Grotto, Research Scholar, Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford University
Jake Bernstein, Partner, K&L Gates
Elaine Korzak, Research Scholar, Berkeley Risk and Security Lab, UC Berkeley
PANEL 5: Advancing Indo-Pacific AI Governance
A conversation on how to advance AI governance and shared AI objectives in the Indo-Pacific, including through collaboration between key countries’ AI Safety Institutes and multilateral efforts such as the Hiroshima AI Process.
Jonathon Marek, Senior Manager, Technology and Geoeconomic Affairs, National Bureau of Asian Research (moderator)
William Bartholomew, Director of Public Policy, Office of Responsible AI, Microsoft
Cole McFaul, Research Analyst, Center for Security and Emerging Technology
Ngor Luong, Asia and Emerging Tech Policy Advisor, Department of State; Nonresident fellow, Global China Hub, Atlantic Council; State Department Fellow, Center for Security and Emerging Technology
CLOSING REMARKS
Doug Strub, Director, Research and Programs, National Bureau of Asian Research
NETWORKING RECEPTION
