AI Safety Hub Launched in St Andrews

An AI safety hub co-founded by three students at the University of St Andrews — Štěpán Los, Parth Goyal and Elias Malisi — aims to understand the risks arising from the increasing presence of AI in our societies. More specifically, the hub will look at how the effective management of AI can improve the benefits for our humanity in the long-term.

At the moment, there exist few intergovernmental political or scientific regulations on AI. The EU is currently creating an AI Safety Act, but there exists no incorporation yet of AI guidelines in various sectors such as the industry, military or healthcare. Goyal emphasized, “[A] critical aspect of AI safety is the existential risk posed by uncontrolled or misaligned AI development. This risk speaks to the potential of AI to cause significant, even irreversible harm to humanity if not guided by robust safety principles”. As conversation around the benefits and risks of AI continues, the ethical dimensions of alignment with human values and of legal rights for AI machines are only likely to become more prominent in the future. This necessitates a balanced integration and coexistence between machines and humans, including the development of global standards and regulations for AI's ethical use and aligning AI systems with predicted value systems. 

Structured as an intensive 7-8 week program, the AI Safety Hub will invite participants that join a waitlist to delve into various topics of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) which involve addressing the unpredictability of complex AI systems. The program will include interactive, in-person discussions and exercises, tailored to engage critically with AI through different themes. One of the hub’s aims is to help participants gain necessary skills for those interested in AI-related careers. Participants will also have the opportunity to develop significant projects by the end of the course, reflecting their insights and desire for action concerning AI safety.

Parth Goyal said, “The AI Safety Hub is more than just an educational initiative; it's a movement towards a future where AI is advanced, beneficial, and safe. It offers participants a chance to be part of crucial global conversations, shaping policies and perspectives on AI and its role in our future. The journey promises to be insightful and transformative, paving the way towards a safer and more informed AI era.”

Illustration by Isabelle Holloway