2024 Foresight Neurotech, BCI and WBE for Safe AI Workshop

Hosted by Allison Duettmann & Anders Sandberg

When

May 21 – 22, 2024

Where

Lighthaven, Berkeley

Registration Unavailable

Neurotech Workshop

Whole Brain Emulation (WBE) represents a promising technology for creating human-aligned software intelligence directly derived from human brains. Recently, there has been a shift to consider shorter AGI timelines more plausible, raising safety concerns. That has led some people to consider whether neurotechnology, in particular BCI or WBE approaches, could be significantly sped up, producing a differential technology development re-ordering that might lessen the risk of unaligned AGI by the presence of aligned software intelligence.

Our 2023 workshop in this series, chaired by Anders Sandberg, FHI, explored AGI and WBE timelines, assessed which WBE approaches could be accelerated through coordinated efforts, and explored potential risks associated with these technologies. Recently, we also launched a Grants Program that funds work in this space. While this and other efforts shed light on a diversity of promising projects to support, the space remains nascent.

Format

Our 2024 Foresight Neurotech, BCI and WBE for Safe AI Workshop invites relevant researchers, entrepreneurs, and funders to present new approaches, and explore which neurotechnologies, in particular WBE approaches, could safely be advanced soon enough to matter in the context of relatively short AGI timelines. Explore emerging opportunities, form lasting collaborations, and further cooperation toward shared long-term goals. In addition to short presentations, working groups, and project development, we offer mentorship hours, open breakouts, and speaker & sponsor gatherings.