FIU student pitches trade policy after meeting G20 leaders in Washington

Andres Zubizarreta, a junior computer science major at Florida International University, spent three days in Washington, D.C. this past September engaging with diplomats, economists, and policymakers. The experience was part of an educational fly-in organized by FIU’s center in the capital. The event prepared students for the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit in Doral, which is scheduled for December.

Zubizarreta arrived in the capital before sunrise, eager to begin his schedule. Over the course of the trip, he met former Polish President Andrzej Duda, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and maritime security expert Ian Ralby. These discussions focused on the core agenda of the G20, a group representing 19 sovereign nations, the European Union, and the African Union. Together, these members account for roughly 85% of global economic output and 75% of international trade.

During the first day, Zubizarreta sat in on a Senate hearing concerning rogue AI agents and homeland security. The debate highlighted how artificial intelligence systems are now viewed as a national security issue. Zubizarreta noted that the proceedings reinforced his belief that AI chatbots should clearly indicate the source of their answers.

The following day shifted focus to economic policy. At the Senate Finance Committee, Mattie Wheeler explained how tax and trade laws convert G20 commitments into U.S. policy. Zubizarreta observed that agreements reached in Doral will not affect American lives until Congress codifies them. He also met with the president of Auxilium Worldwide, a nonprofit addressing international humanitarian issues, which introduced him to the field of maritime security.

In the evenings, Zubizarreta attended a G20 Miami Preview reception hosted by Ambassador Steven J. Green, the namesake of FIU's Green School. At the event, he learned that FIU plans to bring IonQ's Superion 256 quantum computer to campus in 2027. This development aligns with his current coursework in computer architecture, where he studies classical processors.

On the final day, Zubizarreta's group participated in a hackathon with the challenge of making innovation easier. They proposed the Lab-to-Launch Passport, a system that allows a product tested in a regulator-supervised trial to receive fast-track reviews across G20 economies. The team simplified technical language to ensure the concept was accessible to a general audience.

Zubizarreta concluded the trip with a courtesy call to Ryan Carpenter of the Special Competitive Studies Project, a nonpartisan think tank focused on AI and U.S. competitiveness. Carpenter reviewed Zubizarreta's background and requested his resume for a spring 2027 position. Zubizarreta submitted his application within days of the meeting.

He has since been accepted to the Green School's Semester in Washington, D.C. for spring 2027, pending an internship placement. Zubizarreta is one of 15 students representing FIU in G20 activities leading up to the December summit.