Celebrating AI Hack for Freedom

The National Endowment for Democracy, Human Rights Foundation, AI Freedom Lab, and the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, invite you to a rooftop reception on Wednesday, September 23, celebrating AI Hack for Freedom III.

The evening brings together civil society leaders from Ukraine, Venezuela, Nepal, Kenya, Russia, and beyond with the open-source AI engineers putting frontier technology to work for freedom. While many fear AI will be weaponized by authoritarians, these leaders are harnessing it as a tool for liberty. Throughout the week at NED, they will build software to address the democratic challenges their organizations face at home, from strengthening parliamentary transparency and election integrity to supporting independent journalism that reaches audiences despite censorship.

Guests will have the opportunity to engage with these frontline leaders, alongside innovators from the technology, policy, philanthropic, academic, and civil society communities who are advancing the responsible use of AI in support of freedom.

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026