Forward Facing: January 2026 — A note from Wendy Connors, Hertz Foundation President

What better way to begin the new year than to get right to work shaping our future?

Last week, the Hertz community gathered in San Francisco for a deep dive into The Future of AI, hosted at FutureHouse, a nonprofit AI-for-science research lab, by cofounder and CEO, 2013 Hertz Fellow Sam Rodriques, and cofounder Andrew White.

The evening sparked meaningful engagement at every turn—from interactive stations with Hertz Fellows at the frontiers of AI, including graduate students, start-up founders, and national lab experts; to a panel discussion with FutureHouse cofounder Andrew White, Transluce cofounder, 2012 Hertz Fellow Jacob Steinhardt, and Anthropic cofounder, 2005 Hertz Fellow Jared Kaplan, moderated by Tacit Labs cofounder Anne Marie Droste.

What unfolded that night was more than a conversation about technology. It was an exploration of the societal and ethical issues emerging from rapid advances in AI—and how Hertz Fellows are at the front lines of its development. Just as important, they’re influencing others in the scientific community. In fact, Time Magazine recently named Kaplan, Rodriques, and 2007 Hertz Fellow Dario Amodei among the 100 Most Influential People in AI. They are not merely working with AI—they are building it, interrogating it, and helping to steer its trajectory. They know how powerful AI is. And they are committed to using those powers for good.  

The FutureHouse conversations sharpened a question on my mind: What role could and should the Hertz Foundation play in the advancement of AI?

It’s a question we also explored at our October board meeting in Seattle. There, AI policy expert Craig Mundie led a wide-ranging and deeply thoughtful discussion about AI implementation, policy implications, and the challenges they present. He reminded us that in systems this powerful, the most consequential choices are often not technical ones, but human ones.

Hertz Fellows understand this. At the FutureHouse event, panelists Kaplan and Steinhardt both credited their Hertz Fellowship experience with uniquely preparing them for this moment—challenging them to think big, trusting them to lead, and connecting them to people who can amplify their work.

The energy was palpable that night and many were eager to know: how can I help? I invited them, and I invite all of you, to please stay engaged as we explore how we can help shape AI with intention and imagination.

Thank you for being a part of this consequential conversation. And thank you for being a part of this incredible Hertz Community.

About the Hertz Foundation

The Hertz Foundation is the nation’s preeminent nonprofit organization committed to advancing American scientific and technological leadership. For more than 60 years, it has stood as an unwavering pillar of independent support through the renowned Hertz Fellowship, cultivating a multidisciplinary network of innovators whose work has positively impacted millions of lives. Learn more at hertzfoundation.org.