In This Story
The countdown is on to George Mason University’s Center for Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Policy’s spring conference on infrastructure innovation.
“NextGen P3s: Infrastructure at the Intersection of AI and a New Federal Landscape,” a daylong event exploring the future of public-private partnerships amid the twin tectonics of artificial intelligence and shifting federal policy, takes place Tuesday, May 13, at Mason Square in Arlington, Virginia.
Organizers, including the P3 Center director, Schar School professor Jonathan Gifford, have announced a standout keynote: Ruben Roman, the newly installed CEO of I-66 Express Mobility Partners, will take the podium during the midday lunch session to offer his perspective on the region’s most watched expressway, as well as the broader implications of private sector stewardship in the age of digital transformation.
Faizan Habib, director of the P3 Office at the Virginia Department of Transportation, will moderate a panel on how AI is already reshaping infrastructure delivery—digitally and operationally—under the P3 model. Marshall Macomber, chief of the Office of Innovative Finance and Delivery at the Maryland Department of Transportation, will moderate a panel on P3s and the new federal landscape.
For details on panelists, see this web page.
The program begins with breakfast at 9:15 a.m. before launching into its first major session at 10 a.m. The opening panel, “Infrastructure and AI: Digital Resilience, Enhanced Safety, and Beyond,” will dig into how artificial intelligence is redefining the planning, design, and long-term operation of infrastructure. Panelists will tackle questions of risk, resiliency, and the responsibilities that come with AI-powered systems under long-term partnership models.
At 11:15 a.m., the conversation turns to “P3s and the New Federal Landscape,” an essential briefing on the complex dance ahead for infrastructure advocates in Washington. As the calendar turns toward a potentially transformative 2025-26 stretch—with federal infrastructure reauthorization looming and national leadership in flux—this panel will forecast how legislation, geopolitics, and economic uncertainty may influence the pipeline of future projects.
A complimentary lunch at 12:30 p.m. will give attendees the opportunity to hear directly from keynote speaker Roman. A veteran of transportation development and finance, Roman’s tenure at I-66 Express Mobility Partners places him at the heart of one of the region’s most advanced P3s. His insights on financing, policy, and performance promises to provide a unique blend of practitioner wisdom and strategic foresight.
The afternoon resumes at 2 p.m. with “The Private Sector Response: Navigating Uncertainty and the Future of P3s,” a collaborative session with Young Professionals in Infrastructure (YPI). As private firms weigh AI’s unknowns, shifting federal signals, and emerging societal expectations, this panel promises a frank conversation about strategy, risk tolerance, and innovation at the investment level.
The program concludes at 3 p.m. with a reception, a chance for professionals across sectors and generations to connect, reflect, and look ahead.
Registration is free, but space is limited. Register at this web page.
The event will be held at Van Metre Hall, Room 125/126, 3351 Fairfax Drive at Mason Square. Email support is available at p3policy@gmu.edu.