Timeline of Future of Life Institute

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This is a timeline of Future of Life Institute (FLI).

Sample questions

This section provides some sample questions for readers who may not have a clear goal when browsing the timeline. It serves as a guide to help readers approach the page with more purpose and understand the timeline’s significance.

Here are some interesting questions this timeline can answer:

  • What are FLI's main initiatives and projects since its inception?
  • Which key reports and publications have been released by FLI that shape policy discussions on emerging technologies?
  • How has FLI contributed to policy recommendations related to AI, biotechnology, and nuclear weapons?
  • What collaborations and partnerships has FLI formed to advance its mission?

For more information on evaluating the timeline's coverage, see Representativeness of events in timelines.

Big picture

Time period Development summary More details
2014–2020 Founding and establishment of AI safety as a priority The Future of Life Institute (FLI) is established in 2014 with a focus on steering transformative technologies away from existential risks. During this period, FLI launches its first grants program, allocating $7 million to AI safety research (2015), organizes the Puerto Rico AI Safety Conference (2015), sponsors the Asilomar Conference on Beneficial AI (2017), and releases the influential "Slaughterbots" video (2017). These initiatives foster collaboration between researchers and policymakers and set the stage for global discussions on AI ethics and safety.[1][2]
2020–2024 Global advocacy and advanced AI concerns Building on its early work, FLI expands its efforts to influence global AI policy. In 2020, it releases the "AI Policy: Global Perspectives" report and begins advocating for robust governance frameworks. In 2023, FLI publishes the open letter "Pause Giant AI Experiments," calling for a six-month halt on training advanced AI systems. The organization participates in global summits, such as the AI Safety Summit (2023), and launches initiatives like the AI Safety Grants Program (2024), solidifying its role as a leader in addressing AI safety and governance.[3][4]

Full timeline

Inclusion Criteria

Here are the inclusion criteria for various event types:

  • For "Founding", the intention is to include the establishment of the Future of Life Institute (FLI) or major foundational events that outline the mission and objectives of the organization.
  • For "Launch Event", the intention is to include inaugural or significant public events organized by FLI that highlight its core mission or gather attention from the academic, technological, or public domains.
  • For "Conference", the intention is to include all conferences organized, hosted, or co-hosted by FLI, especially those focusing on AI safety, existential risks, and transformative technologies.
  • For "Grants Program", the intention is to include all major grant programs or requests for proposals initiated by FLI, especially those addressing AI alignment, ethics, and robustness.
  • For "Grants Awarded", the intention is to include the announcement of grant allocations to projects, particularly those that align with FLI's mission of mitigating existential risks and advancing AI safety.
  • For "Policy Exchange", the intention is to include events co-organized by FLI that engage policymakers and academic experts in discussions about AI governance, risks, and policy development.
  • For "Symposium", the intention is to include all symposia that address the societal impacts of transformative technologies, especially AI and machine learning, where FLI plays a significant organizing or sponsoring role.
  • For "Workshop", the intention is to include all workshops organized or sponsored by FLI that bring together experts to discuss specific topics like AI ethics, interpretability, or the societal implications of advanced technologies.
  • For "Award", the intention is to include all awards given by FLI, especially the Future of Life Award, recognizing significant contributions to global safety, such as preventing existential risks.
  • For "Video Release", the intention is to include all significant media productions released by FLI, such as videos or short films aimed at raising awareness about existential risks or AI-related challenges.
  • For "Policy Advocacy", the intention is to include significant instances of FLI advocating for regulations or policies addressing AI risks, autonomous weapons, or other related issues.
  • For "Research Grant", the intention is to include substantial funding initiatives by FLI to support AI safety research, especially in alignment, robustness, and ethical considerations.
  • For "Publication", the intention is to include all major reports, books, or documents authored by FLI or its members that focus on AI safety, global risks, or related policy recommendations.
  • For "Open Letter", the intention is to include notable open letters released by FLI that address global challenges in AI governance, urging action from policymakers, researchers, or industry stakeholders.
  • For "Initiative", the intention is to include major initiatives launched by FLI aimed at raising awareness, educating the public, or addressing existential risks from AI and other advanced technologies.
  • For "Collaboration", the intention is to include all significant partnerships with global organizations or governments aimed at addressing AI safety and existential risks, particularly in military and policy domains.
  • For "Summit Participation", the intention is to include FLI’s participation in major summits where they contribute policy recommendations or influence global discussions on AI safety and ethics.

Timeline

Year Month and date Event type Details
2014 March Founding The Future of Life Institute (FLI) is established by Max Tegmark (MIT physicist and AI researcher), Jaan Tallinn (co-founder of Skype and philanthropist), Anthony Aguirre (UC Santa Cruz physicist), Viktoriya Krakovna (AI safety researcher), and Meia Chita-Tegmark (psychologist). The institute aims to address existential risks posed by transformative technologies such as advanced AI and biotechnology. The founding reflects growing concern about humanity’s preparedness to navigate these challenges responsibly.[5]
2014 May 24 Launch Event FLI holds its inaugural event at MIT, titled "The Future of Technology: Benefits and Risks." Moderated by Alan Alda (actor and science communicator), the event features speakers such as George Church (Harvard geneticist), Frank Wilczek (Nobel laureate in physics), and Jaan Tallinn. Discussions center on existential risks from emerging technologies, establishing FLI’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue.[6]
2015 January 2}-5} Conference FLI organizes "The Future of AI: Opportunities and Challenges" in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The conference gathers prominent AI researchers and ethicists, including Stuart Russell (UC Berkeley), Nick Bostrom (author of Superintelligence), and Elon Musk. Nate Soares of MIRI later describes it as a turning point, marking the beginning of serious academic attention to AI risks. Attendees produce the Puerto Rico AI Open Letter, advocating for robust AI safety research.[7][8]
2015 January 22 Grants Program FLI announces an international Request for Proposals (RFP) to fund research on AI safety. Backed by a $10 million donation from Elon Musk, the RFP emphasizes projects addressing long-term challenges such as alignment, robustness, and transparency in AI systems. The initiative signals a new era of private investment in AI safety.[9]
2015 July 1 Grants Awarded FLI awards $7 million to 37 projects addressing AI safety and ethics. Funded projects include those led by researchers at UC Berkeley, Oxford University, and MIT, focusing on technical challenges like reward hacking and policy issues like governance frameworks. The grants are celebrated as a landmark in institutionalizing AI safety research.[10]
2015 September 1 Policy Exchange FLI and the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) co-host a policy workshop at Harvard University. The exchange addresses the geopolitical implications of advanced AI surpassing human intelligence and the necessity for coordinated global regulation. Attendees include policymakers and scholars from the US and Europe.[11]
2015 December 10 Symposium FLI co-sponsors the NIPS Symposium on "Societal Impacts of Machine Learning" in Montreal, Canada. Topics include algorithmic bias, ethical implications of autonomous systems, and the societal trade-offs of deploying AI at scale. The event lays groundwork for subsequent collaborations between AI researchers and social scientists.[12]
2016 February 13 Workshop FLI co-organizes the "AI, Ethics, and Society" workshop in Phoenix, Arizona. The event gathers ethicists, technologists, and policymakers to explore the societal impacts of AI advancements, including risks of bias, automation-induced inequality, and loss of agency. Discussions emphasize the importance of embedding ethical considerations into AI design and deployment frameworks.[13]
2016 April 2 Conference FLI hosts "Reducing the Dangers of Nuclear War" at MIT, highlighting existential risks beyond AI. Experts draw parallels between nuclear deterrence strategies and AI governance, emphasizing the role of transparency and trust in preventing catastrophic escalation scenarios in both domains.[14]
2016 May Research Initiative FLI launches an interdisciplinary research initiative to explore ethical dilemmas in AI-driven decision-making systems. The initiative sponsors projects examining accountability frameworks and the implications of delegating critical decisions to machines in areas like healthcare and criminal justice.[15]
2016 December 9 Workshop FLI sponsors the "Interpretable Machine Learning for Complex Systems" workshop at NIPS in Montreal. The workshop underscores the growing need for explainability in AI systems, focusing on preventing opaque decision-making in high-stakes domains such as finance, healthcare, and transportation.[16]
2017 January 5}-8} Conference FLI organizes the landmark Asilomar Conference on Beneficial AI, held at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in California. The event results in the creation of the Asilomar AI Principles, which outline ethical guidelines for AI development and deployment, emphasizing safety, transparency, and alignment with human values. These principles gain widespread endorsement, shaping global AI policy discussions.[17]
2017 June Policy Advocacy FLI co-signs an open letter to the United Nations calling for a ban on lethal autonomous weapons. This effort intensifies international dialogue on AI in military applications, with growing support from civil society, academics, and AI industry leaders.[18]
2018 April Publication FLI publishes the "Lethal Autonomous Weapons Report," advocating for international regulations to prevent the misuse of AI in warfare. The report highlights ethical and strategic risks, emphasizing the need for human oversight in AI-driven military operations.[19]
2018 August 30 Policy Advocacy The California State Legislature officially adopts FLI’s Asilomar AI Principles, incorporating ethical AI considerations into state-level policymaking. This marks a pivotal step in translating theoretical frameworks into legislative action, influencing debates on AI governance.[20]
2018 October Collaboration FLI partners with the IEEE Standards Association to develop ethical guidelines for AI systems. The collaboration focuses on integrating safety and accountability measures into AI standards for industries such as healthcare, finance, and education.[21]
2019 January 2}-7} Conference FLI hosts Beneficial AGI 2019 in Puerto Rico. The conference builds on the success of earlier events, focusing on technical and philosophical questions about aligning AI systems with human values.[22]
2019 March Initiative FLI launches a campaign to raise awareness about the risks of deepfakes. The initiative emphasizes the societal harm from manipulated media and advocates for policy and technological countermeasures.[23]
2019 January 2}-7} Conference FLI hosts the Beneficial AGI 2019 conference in Puerto Rico, bringing together leading AI researchers, ethicists, and policymakers. Topics include addressing unintended AI behaviors, scaling ethical considerations in machine learning, and fostering international cooperation to ensure AI systems align with human values. Keynote speakers include Stuart Russell and Yoshua Bengio, who stress the importance of transparency and control in advanced AI systems.[24]
2019 February 15 Policy Advocacy FLI releases a policy brief urging the European Union to incorporate safety and ethical considerations into its AI strategy. The brief outlines specific regulatory measures to address risks posed by biased or autonomous AI systems, highlighting the importance of accountability in AI deployment.[25]
2019 March Initiative FLI launches a campaign to raise awareness about the risks associated with deepfake technologies. The campaign highlights examples of manipulated media spreading misinformation, particularly in political and social contexts, and calls for collaborative efforts to develop AI tools to detect and mitigate such misuse.[26]
2019 April 3 Conference FLI co-hosts the "AI for Good" conference in Geneva, Switzerland, alongside the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The event explores AI applications that address global challenges such as poverty, healthcare, and education while ensuring ethical safeguards. Sessions discuss potential pitfalls of using AI in humanitarian contexts.[27]
2019 June Publication FLI publishes a white paper titled "Ethics and Transparency in AI Systems," offering guidelines for designing AI that prioritizes fairness, explainability, and user trust. The paper includes case studies highlighting the societal impact of opaque algorithms in financial and judicial systems.[28]
2019 September Policy Engagement FLI organizes a roundtable discussion at the United Nations General Assembly on the ethical implications of autonomous weapons. Experts debate the feasibility of a global ban, with particular focus on the role of private industry in shaping regulatory frameworks.[29]
2019 October 10 Research Collaboration FLI announces a partnership with major AI labs, including OpenAI and DeepMind, to explore the development of shared safety protocols for AI deployment. The initiative aims to create a baseline for testing advanced AI systems under controlled conditions to prevent unintended behaviors.[30]
2019 November 18 Award FLI honors Dr. Matthew Meselson with the Future of Life Award for his efforts in spearheading the Biological Weapons Convention. This recognition draws parallels between international disarmament efforts and emerging challenges in AI governance.[31]
2019 December Public Outreach FLI concludes its year with a public awareness campaign on the societal impact of automation and AI in the workplace. The campaign features webinars, case studies, and interactive tools to help workers and policymakers prepare for shifts in the labor market driven by AI technologies.[32]
2020 August Publication FLI releases "AI Policy: Global Perspectives," a report analyzing global AI governance approaches. The report provides a roadmap for harmonizing international efforts to ensure AI development benefits humanity.[33]
2020 October Event FLI hosts the "Global AI Safety Summit," which unites global stakeholders to discuss strategies for responsible AI development. The event emphasizes the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration in tackling AI risks.[34]
2020 November 22 Publication Max Tegmark, co-founder of FLI, publishes "Life 3.0," a book discussing the long-term implications of AI on society. It becomes a bestseller and shapes public discourse on AI safety.[35]
2021 February Collaboration FLI collaborates with leading AI research institutions to develop the "AI Safety Guidelines." These guidelines emphasize transparency, accountability, and ethical considerations in AI research and deployment, with the aim of addressing risks associated with advanced AI systems.[36]
2021 June Policy Advocacy FLI submits a policy brief to the United Nations, calling for a ban on lethal autonomous weapons and the creation of international regulatory frameworks. The brief underscores the potential for these technologies to destabilize global security and exacerbate geopolitical tensions.[37]
2021 August Policy Advocacy FLI contributes to discussions on the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act, advocating for robust AI safety regulations. Their input highlights the importance of preventing harm while fostering innovation.[38]
2021 September Research Grant FLI awards $5 million in grants to fund projects focused on AI alignment, robustness, and ethics. These grants aim to address pressing challenges in ensuring AI systems operate in ways consistent with human values.[39]
2022 January Publication FLI publishes the "State of AI Safety 2022" report, a comprehensive document outlining the latest advancements and persistent challenges in AI safety. The report serves as a key resource for researchers and policymakers.[40]
2022 April Initiative FLI launches the "AI Ethics in Education" program to raise awareness about the ethical implications of AI. The initiative provides curricula for schools and universities, fostering critical thinking about AI’s societal impact.[41]
2022 May Open Letter FLI publishes an open letter urging a moratorium on lethal autonomous weapons, citing ethical and security concerns. The letter receives widespread support from researchers and civil society organizations.[42]
2022 July Conference FLI organizes the "International Conference on AI and Human Values." Participants from academia, government, and industry discuss ways to align AI technologies with societal values.[43]
2022 October Partnership FLI partners with global tech companies to establish the "AI Safety Consortium." The consortium aims to standardize safety practices and improve collaboration on AI risk mitigation.[44]
2023 March 29 Open Letter FLI publishes the "Pause Giant AI Experiments" letter, urging a six-month moratorium on the development of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4. Signed by leading AI researchers and public figures, the letter calls for regulatory frameworks and safety standards to prevent potential societal harms. The letter ignites a global conversation on the risks and governance of advanced AI technologies.[45]
2023 June Policy Advocacy FLI collaborates with the European Union to influence the AI Act, advocating for stricter regulations on high-risk AI systems. The institute's recommendations focus on ethical guidelines, accountability, and transparency in AI governance.[46]
2023 September 22 Policy Advocacy With the expiration of the "Pause Giant AI Experiments" proposal, FLI reasserts the need for robust oversight and public accountability in AI development. The institute emphasizes creating global regulatory authorities, auditing mechanisms, and prioritizing funding for technical AI safety research.[47]
2023 October 10 Initiative FLI launches the "AI Accountability Network," a coalition of NGOs, policymakers, and researchers focused on monitoring and reporting on the ethical deployment of AI systems. The initiative aims to provide transparency and actionable insights for improving AI governance globally.[48]
2023 October 30 Policy Engagement In response to the White House's Executive Order on AI safety, FLI provides detailed recommendations to U.S. federal agencies. These include guidelines for risk management, ethical oversight, and public transparency in the governance of AI technologies.[49]
2024 February 14 Funding FLI announces the "Realizing Aspirational Futures" grant program, allocating funding to research projects focused on aligning AI development with societal values. The program emphasizes innovative solutions for mitigating risks and fostering positive long-term outcomes in AI governance.[50]
2024 March 22 Publication On the anniversary of the "Pause Giant AI Experiments" letter, FLI releases a comprehensive report analyzing its global impact. The report highlights increased awareness among policymakers and outlines progress made in AI safety governance. It also identifies gaps and offers recommendations for future actions.[51]
2024 May 21}-22} Summit Participation At the Seoul AI Safety Summit, FLI presents a policy framework advocating for a global AI safety coordinator and unified governance standards. FLI’s proposals significantly shape the "Seoul Declaration for Safe, Innovative, and Inclusive AI," underscoring the institute's influence in international AI policy discourse.[52]
2024 July Research Collaboration FLI collaborates with academic institutions to develop open-access tools for AI safety education. These tools aim to empower educators and students with knowledge about AI ethics, alignment, and governance, fostering a globally informed dialogue on AI risks and benefits.[53]
2024 November Collaboration FLI works with global organizations to draft ethical guidelines for military AI applications. The effort focuses on preventing misuse in conflict scenarios and ensuring compliance with international humanitarian laws, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and meaningful human oversight.[54]
2024 December Initiative FLI launches the "Global AI Safety Index," an annual report assessing nations' progress in adopting ethical AI practices. The index evaluates regulatory frameworks, safety standards, and research initiatives, aiming to promote accountability and encourage international cooperation.[55]

Numerical and visual data

Google Scholar

The following table summarizes per-year mentions on Google Scholar as of November 16, 2024.

Year "Future of Life Institute"
2015 111
2016 196
2017 286
2018 446
2019 539
2020 587
2021 521
2022 511
2023 1150

References

  1. ↑ "Asilomar AI Principles". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Slaughterbots Video". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Pause Giant AI Experiments". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  4. ↑ "AI Safety Grants Program". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Future of Life Institute Wikipedia". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  6. ↑ "The Future of Technology: Benefits and Risks". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  7. ↑ "AI Safety Conference in Puerto Rico". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Timeline of AI Safety". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  9. ↑ "FLI Grants". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  10. ↑ "FLI Grants Program Results". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Policy Exchange: Co-organized with CSER". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  12. ↑ "NIPS Symposium 2015". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  13. ↑ "AI, Ethics, and Society Workshop". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Reducing the Dangers of Nuclear War Conference". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  15. ↑ "FLI Research on AI Ethics". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  16. ↑ "FLI AI Activities". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Beneficial AI 2017 Conference". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Open Letter on Autonomous Weapons". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Lethal Autonomous Weapons Report". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  20. ↑ "FLI 2018 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  21. ↑ "FLI Collaboration with IEEE". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Beneficial AGI 2019 Conference". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Deepfake Awareness Campaign". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Beneficial AGI 2019 Conference". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  25. ↑ "FLI Policy Briefs". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Deepfake Awareness Campaign". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  27. ↑ "AI for Good Summit". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  28. ↑ "FLI White Papers". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  29. ↑ "FLI UN Roundtable on Autonomous Weapons". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  30. ↑ "FLI AI Research Collaborations". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Future of Life Awards". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  32. ↑ "FLI Public Outreach Campaigns". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  33. ↑ "AI Policy: Global Perspectives". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Global AI Safety Summit". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  36. ↑ "AI Safety Guidelines". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  37. ↑ "UN Policy Brief on Autonomous Weapons". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  38. ↑ "FLI on AI Regulation". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  39. ↑ "AI Alignment Grants 2021". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  40. ↑ "State of AI Safety 2022". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  41. ↑ "AI Ethics in Education Program". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  42. ↑ "Open Letter on Autonomous Weapons". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  43. ↑ "International Conference on AI and Human Values". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  44. ↑ "AI Safety Consortium". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  45. ↑ "Pause Giant AI Experiments Open Letter". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  46. ↑ "FLI Input on EU AI Act". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  47. ↑ "Six-Month Letter Expires: The Need for AI Regulation". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  48. ↑ "AI Accountability Network Launch". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  49. ↑ "FLI Recommendations for AI Policy". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  50. ↑ "Realizing Aspirational Futures: New FLI Grants Opportunities". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  51. ↑ "The Pause Letter: One Year Later". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  52. ↑ "Seoul AI Safety Summit Statement". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  53. ↑ "AI Safety Education Resources". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  54. ↑ "AI Military Ethics Partnership". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Global AI Safety Index Launch". Retrieved November 16, 2024.
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