WASHINGTON (August 27, 2026) — Today, the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) announced that it has named Astri Kimball Van Dyke a senior fellow for AI policy to serve in the Capitol Hill office of Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.). In her role, Van Dyke will focus on how Congress can build the technical fluency and legislative capacity to aid and regulate the development of AI and related infrastructure in the United States.
“Congress will play a critical role in making sure AI benefits all Americans. Members of Congress don’t need to be experts when it comes to AI, but the American people deserve members and staff who are fluent in these tools and understand how the technology stack works,” said Van Dyke. “Congressman Beyer has been a leader on this issue, getting a degree in machine learning while representing his district. Leadership on AI policymaking is up for grabs, and state legislatures aren’t waiting for the federal government. Alongside other Congressional offices and my colleagues at PPI, I’m looking forward to working on policy that can keep pace with a rapidly-changing field, so Washington is equipped to lead and Americans everywhere can share in the benefits of this pioneering technology.”
Prior to being named a PPI senior fellow, Van Dyke spent 12 years at Google, most recently leading its global competition policy team, after serving as a political appointee in the Obama administration, including as deputy counsel to then-Vice President Joe Biden.
“Astri is exactly the kind of expert Congress needs right now. Her approach to public policy from her days in the Obama White House to today is precisely the experience Congress needs to develop smart AI policy,” said Lindsay Mark Lewis, CEO of PPI. “Members of Congress need to get AI policy right, to show Americans the real upside it can offer across health care, government services, education, and more.”
PPI is the first think tank to embed a fellow for AI policy expert directly in a congressional office. This new role complements PPI’s existing congressional policy fellowships, which place staff with the New Democrat Coalition and Blue Dog Coalition.
Founded in 1989, PPI is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Find an expert and learn more about PPI by visiting progressivepolicy.org. Follow us at @ppi.
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Media Contact: Ian O’Keefe – iokeefe@ppionline.org
