Open to Debate and Johns Hopkins’ SNF Agora Institute Debate the US-China A.I. Arms Race

April 30, 2025

Debaters include former Congressman and CIA officer Will Hurd and State Department veteran Susan Thornton

Live in Baltimore, Wednesday, May 14th

The Hopkins Forum: Can the U.S. Outpace China in AI Through Chip Controls?

On May 14 in Baltimore, Open to Debate and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University will host the second debate in their ongoing “Hopkins Forum” partnership. The event will explore the high-stakes U.S.-China A.I. arms race with a debate on the question “Can the U.S. Outpace China in A.I. Through Chip Controls?”

Arguing YES are Will Hurd, Former U.S. Representative and CIA Officer, and Lindsay Gorman, Managing Director and Senior Fellow of the German Marshall Fund’s Technology Program and Venture Scientist at Deep Science Ventures. Arguing NO are Hon. Susan Thornton, Former Diplomat and Visiting Lecturer in Law and Senior Fellow at the Yale Law School Paul Tsai China Center, and Paul Triolo, Senior Vice President and Partner at DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group.

he debate will take place Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM (5:30 PM doors) at Johns Hopkins University’s Shriver Hall (3400 North Charles Street, Suite 14). Media can email raypadgett@shorefire.com for in-person or virtual access.

The event follows the Hopkins Forum kickoff program in Washington DC earlier this year, where Jeff Sessions, Jeff Flake, Christina Rodriguez, and Jamal Greene debated the future of the Supreme Court in front of a sold-out audience. Six more debates in the Hopkins Forum series will be produced through 2026 in DC and Baltimore.

 

ABOUT OPEN TO DEBATE
Open to Debate addresses a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. We are the nation’s only nonpartisan, debate-driven media organization dedicated to bringing multiple viewpoints together for a constructive, balanced, respectful exchange of ideas. Open to Debate is a platform for intellectually curious and open-minded people to engage with others holding opposing views on complex issues. We know debate works to find common ground: On average, 32% of the Open to Debate audience changes their mind on contentious topics after hearing a debate. That’s the power of debate done right, and at scale, it can change the direction we’re headed in America. Open to Debate is broadcast as a weekly public radio program, carried on NPR stations including WNYC (#1 in the nation). Open to Debate is made available as a podcast, video series, and digital platform, and records episodes with live audiences nationwide. Visit opentodebate.org to become a member, access an archive of more than 220 debates, and attend live events.

Go here for photos, links and more info: https://shorefire.com/roster/open-to-debate

ABOUT THE SNF AGORA INSTITUTE

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University is an academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy through research, teaching, and practice. Founded in 2017 with a visionary $150 million grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the institute draws inspiration from the ancient Athenian agora—a space for open debate and deliberation—to bridge divides, expand civic engagement, and foster informed, inclusive, dialogue as the cornerstone of robust democracy.

SNF Agora organizes its work around three pillars:

  • Discovery: Advancing transformative, multi-disciplinary research to address democratic decline and identify sources of resilience.
  • Design: Collaborating with practitioners to develop usable knowledge that transforms academic insight into real-world impact.
  • Dialogue: Creating spaces for inclusive civic discourse, public convenings, and educational programs that empower citizens to engage meaningfully in democracy.

Through its work, the SNF Agora Institute empowers citizens with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas to participate meaningfully in civic life. Its scholars and practitioners collaborate to address challenges to democracy, bridge divides, and cultivate democratic resilience through research, innovative interventions, and public engagement.

For more information about the SNF Agora Institute, visit www.snfagora.jhu.edu.

For more information on Open to Debate, contact Ray Padgett (raypadgett@shorefire.com) or Mark Satlof (msatlof@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media.