The West Coast of the United States has a history of global influence, its ideas shaping and transforming American power since before World War II. Now, at a moment when long-standing practices and relationships in geopolitics are being upended, it is worth reflecting on how the ideas and industries of the West Coast will inform the projection of American power and shape geopolitics more generally. Carnegie California will bring together voices from across the country and the state to examine this unique dynamic at Prism, a forum built around three core ideas: 

• Creative, rigorous, and optimistic policy ideas and movements can originate outside of Washington, DC, and national capitals more broadly; 
• State and local actors, including but not limited to those from the West Coast, will play a role in developing and implementing new policies; and 
• The future can be shaped by good policy, rooted in knowledge and facts, supported by good storytelling and branding around those policies.

Through a series of public conversations, Prism 2026 will assess the state of American power; the role of California in shaping that power; and the implications for California's democracy, economy, and global connections, and examine the role of emerging technologies, including AI; democratic innovations, including deliberations; and storytelling in shaping what comes next. 

Programming on October 14 will begin at 1:00 p.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m PT. Programming on October 15 will begin at 11:15 a.m., with a brief midday break, and resume at 3:15 p.m., concluding at 5:00 p.m. PT. 

Conference attendance is by application only. Once approved to attend, you will receive a direct email confirmation. Attendees are encouraged to attend both days of programming. Please email prism2026@ceip.org with any questions.