MIT President Sally Kornbluth warned that diminished federal support for curiosity-driven research threatens the innovation pipeline critical to American prosperity and national safety. Speaking at the Washington Post's Building America Summit alongside Arizona State University President Michael Crow, Kornbluth emphasized that breakthroughs in medicine and technology stem from decades of fundamental inquiry. She cautioned that while federal appropriations for universities exist, significant funds remain frozen, disrupting the long timelines necessary for life-saving developments. Kornbluth cited the progression of diabetes care from insulin injections to automated pumps and potential stem cell cures as evidence that such advances rely on basic research lacking immediate financial returns. She similarly pointed to the maturation of cancer immunotherapy, driven by sustained basic science, to illustrate the necessity of continued investment. Kornbluth noted that MIT's economic impact rivals the 14th largest GDP globally, reinforcing the institution's vital role in the national economy. On the subject of artificial intelligence, Kornbluth asserted that AI does not obsolete traditional disciplines but rather alters their application. MIT's curriculum prioritizes foundational knowledge in mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry, which she deemed essential for leadership in an AI-enabled era. She advocated for strengthening moral, civic, and ethical education to guide technologists in responsible innovation. Guided by the motto mens et manus, the institute promotes a human-centric approach where students engineer physical systems and employ AI as an augmentation tool to enhance collaboration rather than replace human teamwork. Kornbluth explained that effective AI utilization depends on clear communication and precise prompt engineering, skills rooted in deep subject matter expertise. She also highlighted the MIT Sloan School of Management, where students apply business acumen to meet soaring industry demand for AI capabilities. Kornbluth underscored MIT's focus on access and economic mobility, revealing that 20 percent of the Class of 2029 are first-generation students and that the institute provides free tuition for families with incomes below $200,000. The MIT for America program further extends educational opportunities by introducing calculus to under-resourced high schools nationwide. Crow noted that ASU draws insights from MIT regarding technological frontiers and small-group scientific collaboration, adapting these lessons to a much larger institutional scale. Kornbluth concluded by reaffirming MIT's commitment to serving the nation for its next 250 years through a synergy of scientific discovery and broad societal engagement, expanding its influence well beyond campus boundaries.