The Potomac Officers Club is honored to announce that Robert Hayes, acting chief artificial intelligence officer at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, is joining an elite lineup of speakers at the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit happening this Wednesday. Hayes will sit down with Amos Snead, founder and CEO of The Dux Group, for a fireside chat titled From Innovation to Impact: How AI Is Transforming the U.S. Patent System?
The 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit is a premier gathering of federal leaders and industry experts focused on the application and integration of AI, machine learning, and automation within government and defense missions. Attendees can gain insights into real-world use cases, discover emerging capabilities and engage in high-level networking to forge strategic collaborations for modernizing the federal landscape.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity—Get your tickets today to the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit.
Who Is Robert Hayes?
Hayes was appointed acting AI chief of the USPTO in December and currently serves as the agency’s acting chief data officer and senior adviser to the under secretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the USPTO.
In these roles, the official leads the agency’s AI and data strategy to modernize patent and trademark operations, improve examination quality, and strengthen how the agency supports inventors, businesses and creators.
Before joining the Department of Commerce, Hayes held senior leadership roles across the media and technology industries. Most recently, he led revenue operations at X and was credited for helping launch Grok in 2023.
Prior to X, he served as chief business officer at Dow Jones from 2021 to 2023, overseeing key revenue and partnership initiatives.
Earlier in his career, Hayes held executive roles at NBCUniversal Media, Iconic Entertainment, Showtime Networks and HBO, where he focused on digital transformation, business growth and technology-driven operations.
Hayes earned an MBA in international business from American University’s Kogod School of Business.
What Are Some of Robert Hayes’ Career Accomplishments?
Hayes is spearheading efforts to advance the USPTO’s enterprise AI strategy as the agency expands the use of AI tools to improve the quality, speed and efficiency of patent examination.
As part of his role as CDAO, he supports initiatives such as the Artificial Intelligence Search Automated Pilot, or ASAP!, to test automated pre-examination searches that help identify potential prior art issues earlier in the patent application process.
Hayes is also working with Commerce bureaus, federal partners, the technology industry and academia to shape policy discussions around intellectual property protections for AI-assisted inventions and promote the development of IP-safe generative AI workflows.
During his time at X, he contributed to the operational and revenue transformation of xAI. According to federal records, he led the development and execution of strategies that generated up to $425 million in revenue streams.
What Will Robert Hayes Discuss at the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit?
In his conversation with Snead, Hayes is expected to delve into his work as CAIO at USPTO, particularly as the agency further integrates AI into its mission to manage across the United States.
The Potential of AI to Streamline Patent Applications
During the fireside chat, Hayes and Snead may explore how AI is reshaping the broader intellectual property ecosystem as the volume and complexity of patent filings continue to grow. He may discuss how AI will streamline the patent application process for both applicants and examiners. The USPTO has already begun exploring this capability through ASAP! program announced in October to automate the pre-examination prior art searches.
Because of his background in operational transformation and large-scale technology deployments, Hayes can offer a valuable perspective on how AI tools can improve workflow efficiency while maintaining examination quality.
Hear Hayes discuss AI’s impact on the U.S. patent system at the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit this Wednesday. Tickets are still available here.
How USPTO Addresses AI-Assisted Inventions
Hayes may also address how the agency is adapting intellectual property policy to the rise of AI-assisted research and development efforts.
The USPTO recently issued updated guidance on the patentability of inventions created with the use of AI. The guidance classifies AI as “analogous to laboratory equipment,” not a person and therefore cannot be a joint inventor.
Onstage at the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit, Hayes may take the opportunity to speak directly to industry about how innovators can responsibly use AI tools while ensuring their inventions remain eligible for patent protection.
He may also highlight the importance of maintaining clear standards for inventorship as AI becomes more embedded in research workflows. Additionally, Hayes could outline how the USPTO is working with policymakers and industry to ensure intellectual property frameworks continue to support innovation.
AI & Data Strategy at USPTO
Because of his dual role in managing the USPTO’s AI and data programs, Hayes might discuss how the agency is building the digital infrastructure needed to support more advanced AI capabilities and provide
He may also explain how secure data environments and risk management frameworks help ensure that AI tools support examiners without exposing confidential intellectual property or compromising the integrity of the patent system.
Why Is the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit Critical for GovCons?
Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit is an important event in GovCon as more organizations across the public and private sectors integrate AI into their workflows. Here are three reasons why firms, whether they have already integrated or plan to implement AI, must attend:
Hear Directly From Government CAIOs
Aside from Hayes, the Potomac Officers Club is convening some of the top innovators and decision makers across government and industry for the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit. Cameron Stanley, chief digital and AI officer at the Department of War, is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote, which is expected to focus on the Pentagon’s ongoing and future AI initiatives and upcoming opportunities for government to partner with industry to support AI deployment across missions.
Other government CAIOs attending are Jesus Caban from the Defense Health Agency, Mark Gray of the Federal Trade Commission and Katie Noyes of the FBI.
Engage With Fellow Tech Innovators
The 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit also provides a platform for attendees to connect with fellow technology leaders. The summit will feature industry speakers from OpenAI, MANTECH, Empower AI, Accenture Federal Services and Google Public Sector.
Through networking sessions and panel discussions, GovCon executives can exchange insights on emerging AI applications, share lessons learned from real-world deployments and explore potential partnerships that support federal missions.
Learn About New Government-Industry Partnership Opportunities
The summit also offers GovCon leaders a chance to learn about emerging partnership opportunities between government agencies and the private sector. Discussions at the summit may highlight upcoming initiatives, pilot programs and contracting opportunities where innovative AI capabilities can support government priorities.
As AI reshapes government operations and missions, the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit serves as a critical forum for GovCon leaders to hear directly from agency decision-makers, understand federal AI priorities and position their organizations for the next wave of government requirements.
Do not miss Hayes’ fireside chat with The Dux Group’s Amos Snead at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit this Wednesday. Secure your spot today.
