Former Under Secretary of Commerce for IP and Director of the USPTO, Kathi Vidal led the USPTO’s 14,000-employee-strong, $4.2B operation that underpins over $8T in annual IP-intensive U.S. economic activity. As Director, she was the principal advisor to the President, his administration, and the Secretary of Commerce on IP. She also broadened the USPTO’s mission to focus proactively on policy to accelerate U.S. innovation, bolster U.S competitiveness, and bring innovation to impact. One of the most influential people in IP, Kathi has notable experience advising on critical and emerging technologies, including AI and its intersection with IP and privacy.