By Ted Johnson
Publication Date: 2026-05-28 14:19:00
Kevin O’Leary will be feted in Washington, D.C. next week as part of the second AI Honors Gala, joining other recipients including a top Pentagon official, Capitol Hill lawmakers and the co-founder of Nvidia.
The Shark Tank star will receive the AI Global Ambassador Award for “his investments in AI implementation, data centers, and the convergence of AI with blockchain and digital payments, and for advocating AI literacy to ensure future job security,” per organizers of the event.
The honors, to be held on June 3 at the Waldorf Astoria, are an annual event of the Washington AI Network, which was launched in 2023.
Other honorees include:
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) with the Bipartisan Leadership Award, for their work on advancing AI policy touching on national security and economics.
Nvidia co-founder and fellow Chris Malachowsky will receive the Founder’s Education Accelerator Award, recognizing his investment in AI education at the University of Florida.
Michele Jawando, the CEO of Omidyar Network, will receive the Civic Technology Leadership Award for her career in government, public policy, advocacy and technology.
Major General Patrick J. Ellis will receive the AI Leadership in National Defense Award, for his work in AI, operational readiness and national defense. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will present the award. Ellis is the commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson…
