9:00 AM
Welcome
Convergence: Tech Policy Institute
#SeattleAIWeekConvergence SummitQuantum & AI
in Cascadia
One region. Converging technologies. Coherence.
A day of cross-border conversation connecting technology, policy, and the people shaping Cascadia's next economy.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM PT
K&L Gates · Seattle
The theme
Coherence.
AI and quantum are converging faster than the institutions meant to govern them. What must Cascadia build, together, before the window closes?
From the governance gap to enterprise infrastructure, the future of work, and BC's quantum ecosystem, the summit brings delegates, technologists, investors, and researchers into one conversation.
Every panel includes an open seat for the audience. Attendees can introduce themselves and their organization and add their perspective to the discussion, on the record.
The Summit Question
"What is the one thing, a policy, a decision, a commitment, or a behavior, that would most close the gap between where this technology is and where the governance of it needs to be? And who is responsible for doing it?"
Every panel of the day closes with this question. It is the question the summit is built around. C:TPI's research measures a mean alignment of 2.01 out of 5.0 between stated AI governance visions and binding law across 212 jurisdictions. The gap is real.
The answers from six panels, spanning governance, infrastructure, enterprise, accountability, the future of work, and BC's quantum ecosystem, will be compiled into a C:TPI Policy Brief, published within 30 days of the summit.
The room speaks
Close the Gap.
Collecting summit answers
Collective priorities
The first answer starts the cloud.
Emerging Policy Actions
AI synthesis · DraftPolicy actions and responsible stakeholders will appear as answers arrive.
Wednesday, October 28 · All times Pacific
The Day's Program
9:30 AM
Opening
9:45 AM
Opening keynote
Coherence
Quantum and AI: Where We Actually Are, and Where We Will Be in Five Years
A practitioner's honest assessment of where quantum stands today and where it will meaningfully intersect with AI over the next five years.
Presented by Convergence: Tech Policy Institute (C:TPI)
Keynote speaker
- Orlagh Neary, Photonic · LinkedIn
10:15 AM
Panel
The Collision Is Already Here
AI, Quantum, and the Governance Gap
AI and quantum are converging faster than the institutions meant to govern them. What is happening at the intersection, and what must the Northwest do before the window closes?
Presented by Convergence: Tech Policy Institute (C:TPI)
Moderator: Ned Rava, UN Joint SDG Fund · LinkedIn
11:00 AM
Panel
The Cascadia Corridor
Building North America's Next Advanced Technology Superregion
Seattle and Vancouver are each world-class, but do not yet function as one region. What would it take to make Cascadia a unified advanced technology zone?
Presented by Challenge Seattle & Convergence: Tech Policy Institute
Introduction: Emily Fletcher, Challenge Seattle · LinkedIn
Moderator: Jonathan Hale, Neil Hill Global Strategies, LLC · LinkedIn
11:45 AM
Networking
Lunch
Structured networking for delegates, technologists, investors, and researchers.
12:30 PM
Lightning keynote
Tech for the Planet
AI for the Hard Problems: What the World Still Needs
What the Allen Institute Has Learned Building AI Solutions for the Planet Across 100+ Countries
Presented by AI 2030 and Convergence: Tech Policy Institute (C:TPI)
Introduction: George Durham, MGT Consulting · LinkedIn
Keynote speaker
- Chris Emura, Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence · LinkedIn
12:50 PM
Panel
Your CEO Has an AI Strategy. Does Your Infrastructure?
Why most enterprise AI deployments fail before they start, and how successful companies differ.
Presented by AI 2030 and Convergence: Tech Policy Institute (C:TPI)
Moderator: Patrick O'Briant, Fall Line Partners · LinkedIn
1:35 PM
Panel
Who's Responsible in the Intelligence Age?
You are already liable for decisions your AI made. You just don't know it yet.
Enforcement actions, liability questions, and governance frameworks that actually work.
Presented by Convergence: Tech Policy Institute (C:TPI)
Moderator: Professor Onur Bakiner, Seattle University, Technology Ethics Initiative · LinkedIn
2:10 PM
Networking
Coffee and Cross-Border Conversations
A chance to continue the discussion, meet the speakers, and make the connections.
2:30 PM
Panel
Who Gets Left Behind When the Economy Rewires Itself?
AI, Quantum, and the Convergent Future of Work
A fireside-style conversation on which regions, workers, and institutions get to participate in the next economy, and what a region must deliberately build to stay ahead.
Presented by AI 2030 and Convergence: Tech Policy Institute (C:TPI)
Moderator: Mary Nam, Governor-Appointed Regent, WSU; Emmy Award-Winning Journalist · LinkedIn
3:15 PM
Showcase
How Did a Canadian Province Beat Silicon Valley at Quantum and AI?
Demystifying BC's Quantum Ecosystem
Presented by Consulate General of Canada, Convergence Summit Anchor Partner
Moderator: Dr. Bethany Edmunds, Northeastern University and AI Network of BC · LinkedIn
4:00 PM
Closing keynote
Convergence
AI, Emerging Technologies, and the Geopolitical Stakes of Getting Governance Wrong
Presented by Convergence: Tech Policy Institute (C:TPI)
Keynote speaker
- Alvin Wang Graylin, Stanford HAI Fellow, University of Washington, Author · LinkedIn
4:30 PM
Reception
Cascadia Reception
Closing reception connecting delegates, investors, cross-border prospects, and regional partners.
Presented by Consulate General of Canada, Convergence Summit Anchor Partner
Remarks
- Remarks from the Consul General of Canada in Seattle, Craig Weichel
Across borders. Across disciplines.
Convened Together
Host
Convergence: Tech Policy Institute
Convening partner
AI 2030
Anchor partner
Consulate General of Canada in Seattle
Innovation partners
Amazon Web Services · Resect.AI
Pavilion partners
Invest Vancouver · Trade and Invest BC · MGT Consulting
Venue sponsor
K&L Gates
Named partners
WTIA · Northwest Quantum Nexus · Launch Consulting
Planning committee
Birdsight · Seattle Quantum Computing Meetup Group
Editorial curation and event host & producer: Arry Yu
Join us in Seattle
Be part of the Convergence.
October 28, 2026 · 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM PT
K&L Gates, Seattle, Washington
During #SeattleAIWeek