The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) was delighted to participate in the Beneficial Artificial Intelligence 2017 conference in Asilomar early in January.
AI leaders came together to discuss opportunities and challenges related to the future of AI and steps we can take to ensure that the technology is beneficial. This was a sequel to the landmark 2015 Puerto Rico AI conference, also organised by the Future of Life Institute (FLI).
All three of our co-founders – Martin Rees, Jaan Tallinn and Huw Price – gave talks or appeared on panels. We were joined by representatives from our sister organisations the Centre for the Future of Intelligence (LCFI) from Cambridge and the Future of Humanity Institute (FHI) from Oxford.
A major outcome of the conference are the Asilomar AI Principles: 23 principles for ensuring beneficial AI. Developed and agreed by AI leaders and scholars, they have now been signed by over 1500 people.
Our Executive Director, Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh, attended the conference and said:
"The Asilomar Conference was an important moment in the development of AI. It is encouraging to see such strong leadership from the AI community in drafting and supporting the Asilomar AI Principles. I look forward to more partners from around the world joining this crucial global conversation. I congratulate the Future of Life Institute on their leadership in developing the Principles and I’m delighted that Centre for the Study of Existential Risk researchers and advisers helped develop and agree them."
