As 2024 comes to a close, we invite you to support Foresight Institute's mission to advance critical technologies for flourishing futures. This year, we:
Distributed $1.5M in AI Safety grants
Supported 43 fellows working on frontier technologies
Hosted groundbreaking workshops with leaders like Eric Drexler
Awarded the Feynman Prize to pioneering scientists in nanotechnology
In 2025, we're launching an expanded grants program to support exceptional scientists working on frontier technologies—from AI-automated scientific discovery to molecular simulation techniques. A generous donor has offered to match all contributions up to $45,000, doubling your impact. Join us in accelerating technological progress by becoming a donor today. As a supporter, you'll be invited to special gatherings like Vision Weekend USA, where you can connect with leading scientists and funders shaping our future. Contact niamh@foresight.org to learn more or
With just one week until Vision Weekend USA opens its doors in the Bay Area (December 6-8), we're entering the final countdown to this landmark gathering of science and technology pioneers.
Leading minds shaping our technological future will take the stage, including Neil Gershenfield (MIT) advancing digital fabrication frontiers, Mary Lou Jepsen (Openwater) revolutionizing brain imaging, Jason Crawford (Roots of Progress) driving sustainable technological development, and Tom Kalil (Renaissance Philanthropy) bridging innovation and funding. We're also welcoming Cate Hall (Astera), Adam Marblestone (Convergent Research), Jennifer Garrison (Buck Institute), and Brendan McCord (Cosmos Institute) and 60+ additional presentations, office hours, tech demos, and immersive experiences bringing the future close to home.
The main program features conferences, unconferences, mentorship sessions, and focused discussions across flourishing futures, longevity, molecular machines, AI, and neurotech. All Access ticket holders will experience unique events including an evening above the San Francisco skyline, exclusive Fellow and Grantee showcases, and special gatherings like our cyber-futures dinner and marimba concert.
Secure your spot for this transformative weekend, tickets are still available.
In case you have to miss Vision Weekend USA next week, mark your calendars for our next gathering. Get ready for something special - Vision Weekend is expanding beyond San Francisco and Europe to the historic streets of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico from February 21-23, 2025. Join us for three days of breaking tech silos and planning flourishing futures against the backdrop of cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, and scenic waterfronts.
This edition’s "Paths to Progress" bring together leaders exploring:
Long-term History & Flourishing Futures
Longevity, Rejuvenation, Cryonics
Molecular Machines, Computing, APM
Neurotech, BCIs & WBEs
Cryptography, Security & AI
Energy, Space, Expansion
Funding, Innovation, Progress
Beyond the main conference track, join us for unconferences, mentorship hours, curated 1-1s, tech demos, prize awards - and stay for the fun with satellite gatherings, a special cyberfuture meets salsa night, beach party, and surprise island adventures.
Bringing together voices like Yuri Deigin (YouthBio), Elizabeth Stark (Lightning Labs), Michael Andregg (Fathom Radiant), Frances Haugen (Social Media Transparency Advocate), David Brandman (UC Davis), Emma Rose Bienvenu (Evertas), Jacob Schwartz (PPPL), and many more leading minds in tech and science.
Want to present your own path to progress? All participants can propose unconference topics, demos, or art exhibits through the onboarding form after registration.
With one month remaining until our December 31st deadline, we invite researchers and builders to submit proposals to our expanded AI Safety grant program. We've broadened our focus areas to better address the evolving landscape of AI risk, now funding projects in:
Automating research and forecasting: We're seeking projects that scale AI-enabled research to support safe AGI development, including superhuman automated forecasting, efficient forecasting methods, and AI-enabled scientific literature research
Security technologies for AI systems: Looking for implementations of computer security techniques, automated red-teaming, vulnerability discovery, and cryptographic approaches enabling trustworthy coordination architectures
Neurotechnology integration: Supporting development of Brain Computer Interfaces to enhance human cognition, Whole Brain Emulations as interpretable alternatives to AGI, and lo-fi emulations using behavioral and neural data with deep learning
Safe multipolar human-AI scenarios: Funding work on game theory addressing interactions between multiple humans and AIs, approaches to avoid collusion and deception, and research on principal-agent problems in multi-agent scenarios
Applications are reviewed on a quarterly cycle, with decisions made within 8 weeks of submission. Selected projects receive funding support to accelerate their work in AI safety while fostering collaboration within our technical community.
DeSci Bangkok: Lou de K and Aleksandra Smilek from Foresight joined forces with Juan Benet (Protocol Labs), Catalin Mitelut (NYU), and Paul Kohlhaas (Molecule) at DeSci Bangkok on November 10th. The group explored exciting ways blockchain and Web3 can revolutionize scientific research, with presentations showcasing cutting-edge projects in AI, neurotech, and biotech. Top researchers went home with prizes for their innovative work.
The Curve: Our CEO Allison Duettmann dove into transformative AI discussions at The Curve in Berkeley from November 22-24. This unique gathering brought together 220 brilliant minds from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and beyond to tackle the big questions about AI safety, regulation, and progress. The focus? Finding common ground and moving forward together.
d/acc: AI Security Salon: Foresight Institute hosted a salon on AI Security and Defense Acceleration (d/acc) in San Francisco on November 6th. The evening featured talks by Caleb Parikh (Long Term Future Fund), Sella Nevo (RAND), Jeffrey Ladish (Palisade Research), and Adam Gleave (FAR AI), exploring how AI impacts computer security and defense capabilities. Co-hosted by Lisa Thiergart and Allison Duettmann, the event brought together researchers and funders to discuss strategies for accelerating civilization's defensive capabilities while navigating AI development responsibly.
DevCon: Niamh Peren took the stage at DevCon in Bangkok on November 14th to talk about "Neurons to Networks: Whole Brain Emulation." She shared how Foresight's fellowships, prizes, and grants are helping push the boundaries of brain emulation research, bringing together the best of neuroscience and computer science. The talk was part of d/acc Discovery Day, focusing on building better futures through technology. Check out the recording here.
EAGxVirtual: At EAGxVirtual 2024, Beatrice Erkers presented "The Role of Existential Hope in Shaping Our Future," exploring how positive trajectory change can complement existential risk reduction. Her talk introduced frameworks for building flourishing futures, demonstrating how we can work toward profoundly positive outcomes while maintaining safety measures. Watch the full talk on the Centre for Effective Altruism's channel.
Existential Hope Worldbuilding Workshop: The Existential Hope Worldbuilding Workshop at Edge Lanna in Thailand brought together thinkers and creators to envision ambitious AI futures. Tushant Jha explored AI's potential in hard technologies, Morgan Livingston led discussions on future governance, and AI artists helped create "day in the life in 2045" scenarios. Participants developed positive visions for human-AI futures, emphasizing both technological advancement and social adaptation.
Superintelligence Summit: The Superintelligence Summit in Bangkok brought together leading voices in AI, blockchain, and neurotechnology. Hosted by Ocean Protocol and supported by ASI Alliance and Foresight Institute, the summit featured presentations from Ben Goertzel, Trent McConaghy, and Juan Benet. The afternoon included specialized tracks on decentralized AI, cognitive liberties, and blockchain technology. Foresight Institute led sessions on protecting cognitive liberties in the age of brain-computer interfaces, with presentations from Niamh Peren on “WBE Fast Grants and Grand Prize Endowment”, and and Beatrice Erkers on Existential Hope.
AI x Neuro: Mindful Alignment: Foresight Institute's Chief of Innovation & Strategy Niamh Peren joined Juan Benet of Protocol Labs at AI x Neuro: Mindful Alignment in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The November 2024 gathering, organized by Triplicate.xyz and supported by Seed Club Ventures, brought together leaders in neuroscience, Buddhist studies, decentralized data, and neurotechnology. Niamh presented Foresight Institute's strategic initiative supporting whole brain emulation work, including our $20 million endowment plan for parallel research efforts. The presentations emphasized the importance of developing these technologies thoughtfully and directing them toward beneficial outcomes for humanity. Watch the full recording here.
Foresight Fellow Updates
Foresight Fellow Roman Bauer, Assistant Professor at the University of Surrey, recently published groundbreaking research in the Journal of Mathematical Biology on calibrating neuron growth models. Using advanced statistical methods and high-performance computing, Dr. Bauer and colleagues developed a novel framework for understanding how neurons develop their complex structures, representing a significant advance in computational neuroscience. Read more here.
Seminars
Workshop Reports
Our 2024 Longevity Biotech Fellowship and Foresight Longevity Workshop convened top experts across science, engineering, and investment to explore paths to a future free from disease and aging. The event focused on five critical areas:
Acceleration: Tools to increase the rate of progress in biotech
Replacement: Exploring tissue replacement as an aging intervention
Bioengineering: Advancing measurement, modeling, and gene delivery
Biostasis: Developing reversible stasis for organs and humans
Healthcare 3.0: Making health and lifespan extension accessible
The workshop report, now available, captures key insights and innovative solutions from participants representing MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and leading biotech companies.
The report from our September 2024 Space Futures & Governance Workshop at Chabot Space Center is now available. In collaboration with OpenLunar Foundation, we gathered 40+ experts from NASA, JPL, Terraform Industries, and other leading organizations to explore sustainable space development. The report highlights:
Solutions for lunar infrastructure development and shared facilities
Novel funding approaches for space ventures and public goods
Technical challenges in power distribution and landing systems
Policy frameworks for commercial space stations and lunar activities
Hope Drop #32: Adam Marblestone | Solving Science’s Biggest Gaps
In this month's Existential Hope Drop, we speak with Adam Marblestone, CEO of Convergent Research. Adam discusses his transition from nanotechnology and neuroscience to pioneering Focused Research Organizations (FROs), nonprofit deep-tech startups designed to accelerate scientific discovery by building essential research infrastructure. He shares his vision of a future where understanding the human brain's fundamental structure leads to improved mental health and better-aligned technology, while more efficient scientific processes enable researchers to focus on solving significant challenges rather than navigating bureaucracy. Watch Adam's Hope Drop to explore how FROs are unlocking innovation and inspiring new approaches to advance human knowledge.
Community Updates
ARIA (Advanced Research + Invention Agency) is searching for their first Chief Technology Officer to help shape the organization's technical future. The role offers a unique opportunity to support and mentor Programme Directors while fostering an environment where visionary technical leaders can develop breakthrough technologies for meaningful societal change. Interested candidates can learn more and apply at aria.org.uk/careers.
Apollo Research is expanding their team with two key positions. They seek an EU Policy Researcher with 1-2 years of relevant experience and strong familiarity with the EU AI Act to contribute to their governance research. They are also looking for an Operations Generalist with 3+ years of experience to work across multiple operational domains. The Operations role is particularly suited for candidates with backgrounds in technical companies, research organizations, or think tanks. Learn more and apply at apollo.org/careers.
Astera has opened applications for their inaugural residency cohort, offering an exceptional opportunity for innovators focused on building public goods to advance science and technology. The program provides up to $250,000 in salary, team budget, operational expenses, and access to substantial compute resources through Voltage Park. Projects must be open-first, high-impact, and future-focused. Rolling admissions continuing until the winter cohort (5-8 projects, starting 1Q2025) is full. Learn more at astera.org/residency.
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November 2024 Newsletter
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Giving Season
As 2024 comes to a close, we invite you to support Foresight Institute's mission to advance critical technologies for flourishing futures. This year, we:
Distributed $1.5M in AI Safety grants
Supported 43 fellows working on frontier technologies
Hosted groundbreaking workshops with leaders like Eric Drexler
Awarded the Feynman Prize to pioneering scientists in nanotechnology
In 2025, we're launching an expanded grants program to support exceptional scientists working on frontier technologies—from AI-automated scientific discovery to molecular simulation techniques. A generous donor has offered to match all contributions up to $45,000, doubling your impact. Join us in accelerating technological progress by becoming a donor today. As a supporter, you'll be invited to special gatherings like Vision Weekend USA, where you can connect with leading scientists and funders shaping our future. Contact niamh@foresight.org to learn more or
Support our work directly
Upcoming Events
Vision Weekend USA 2024
With just one week until Vision Weekend USA opens its doors in the Bay Area (December 6-8), we're entering the final countdown to this landmark gathering of science and technology pioneers.
Leading minds shaping our technological future will take the stage, including Neil Gershenfield (MIT) advancing digital fabrication frontiers, Mary Lou Jepsen (Openwater) revolutionizing brain imaging, Jason Crawford (Roots of Progress) driving sustainable technological development, and Tom Kalil (Renaissance Philanthropy) bridging innovation and funding. We're also welcoming Cate Hall (Astera), Adam Marblestone (Convergent Research), Jennifer Garrison (Buck Institute), and Brendan McCord (Cosmos Institute) and 60+ additional presentations, office hours, tech demos, and immersive experiences bringing the future close to home.
See the full program here
The main program features conferences, unconferences, mentorship sessions, and focused discussions across flourishing futures, longevity, molecular machines, AI, and neurotech. All Access ticket holders will experience unique events including an evening above the San Francisco skyline, exclusive Fellow and Grantee showcases, and special gatherings like our cyber-futures dinner and marimba concert.
Secure your spot for this transformative weekend, tickets are still available.
Get your tickets here
Vision Weekend Puerto Rico 2025
In case you have to miss Vision Weekend USA next week, mark your calendars for our next gathering. Get ready for something special - Vision Weekend is expanding beyond San Francisco and Europe to the historic streets of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico from February 21-23, 2025. Join us for three days of breaking tech silos and planning flourishing futures against the backdrop of cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, and scenic waterfronts.
This edition’s "Paths to Progress" bring together leaders exploring:
Long-term History & Flourishing Futures
Longevity, Rejuvenation, Cryonics
Molecular Machines, Computing, APM
Neurotech, BCIs & WBEs
Cryptography, Security & AI
Energy, Space, Expansion
Funding, Innovation, Progress
Beyond the main conference track, join us for unconferences, mentorship hours, curated 1-1s, tech demos, prize awards - and stay for the fun with satellite gatherings, a special cyberfuture meets salsa night, beach party, and surprise island adventures.
Bringing together voices like Yuri Deigin (YouthBio), Elizabeth Stark (Lightning Labs), Michael Andregg (Fathom Radiant), Frances Haugen (Social Media Transparency Advocate), David Brandman (UC Davis), Emma Rose Bienvenu (Evertas), Jacob Schwartz (PPPL), and many more leading minds in tech and science.
Want to present your own path to progress? All participants can propose unconference topics, demos, or art exhibits through the onboarding form after registration.
Get your early bird tickets here
AI Safety Grants
With one month remaining until our December 31st deadline, we invite researchers and builders to submit proposals to our expanded AI Safety grant program. We've broadened our focus areas to better address the evolving landscape of AI risk, now funding projects in:
Automating research and forecasting: We're seeking projects that scale AI-enabled research to support safe AGI development, including superhuman automated forecasting, efficient forecasting methods, and AI-enabled scientific literature research
Security technologies for AI systems: Looking for implementations of computer security techniques, automated red-teaming, vulnerability discovery, and cryptographic approaches enabling trustworthy coordination architectures
Neurotechnology integration: Supporting development of Brain Computer Interfaces to enhance human cognition, Whole Brain Emulations as interpretable alternatives to AGI, and lo-fi emulations using behavioral and neural data with deep learning
Safe multipolar human-AI scenarios: Funding work on game theory addressing interactions between multiple humans and AIs, approaches to avoid collusion and deception, and research on principal-agent problems in multi-agent scenarios
Applications are reviewed on a quarterly cycle, with decisions made within 8 weeks of submission. Selected projects receive funding support to accelerate their work in AI safety while fostering collaboration within our technical community.
Learn more and apply here
Past Events
DeSci Bangkok: Lou de K and Aleksandra Smilek from Foresight joined forces with Juan Benet (Protocol Labs), Catalin Mitelut (NYU), and Paul Kohlhaas (Molecule) at DeSci Bangkok on November 10th. The group explored exciting ways blockchain and Web3 can revolutionize scientific research, with presentations showcasing cutting-edge projects in AI, neurotech, and biotech. Top researchers went home with prizes for their innovative work.
The Curve: Our CEO Allison Duettmann dove into transformative AI discussions at The Curve in Berkeley from November 22-24. This unique gathering brought together 220 brilliant minds from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and beyond to tackle the big questions about AI safety, regulation, and progress. The focus? Finding common ground and moving forward together.
d/acc: AI Security Salon: Foresight Institute hosted a salon on AI Security and Defense Acceleration (d/acc) in San Francisco on November 6th. The evening featured talks by Caleb Parikh (Long Term Future Fund), Sella Nevo (RAND), Jeffrey Ladish (Palisade Research), and Adam Gleave (FAR AI), exploring how AI impacts computer security and defense capabilities. Co-hosted by Lisa Thiergart and Allison Duettmann, the event brought together researchers and funders to discuss strategies for accelerating civilization's defensive capabilities while navigating AI development responsibly.
DevCon: Niamh Peren took the stage at DevCon in Bangkok on November 14th to talk about "Neurons to Networks: Whole Brain Emulation." She shared how Foresight's fellowships, prizes, and grants are helping push the boundaries of brain emulation research, bringing together the best of neuroscience and computer science. The talk was part of d/acc Discovery Day, focusing on building better futures through technology. Check out the recording here.
EAGxVirtual: At EAGxVirtual 2024, Beatrice Erkers presented "The Role of Existential Hope in Shaping Our Future," exploring how positive trajectory change can complement existential risk reduction. Her talk introduced frameworks for building flourishing futures, demonstrating how we can work toward profoundly positive outcomes while maintaining safety measures. Watch the full talk on the Centre for Effective Altruism's channel.
Existential Hope Worldbuilding Workshop: The Existential Hope Worldbuilding Workshop at Edge Lanna in Thailand brought together thinkers and creators to envision ambitious AI futures. Tushant Jha explored AI's potential in hard technologies, Morgan Livingston led discussions on future governance, and AI artists helped create "day in the life in 2045" scenarios. Participants developed positive visions for human-AI futures, emphasizing both technological advancement and social adaptation.
Superintelligence Summit: The Superintelligence Summit in Bangkok brought together leading voices in AI, blockchain, and neurotechnology. Hosted by Ocean Protocol and supported by ASI Alliance and Foresight Institute, the summit featured presentations from Ben Goertzel, Trent McConaghy, and Juan Benet. The afternoon included specialized tracks on decentralized AI, cognitive liberties, and blockchain technology. Foresight Institute led sessions on protecting cognitive liberties in the age of brain-computer interfaces, with presentations from Niamh Peren on “WBE Fast Grants and Grand Prize Endowment”, and and Beatrice Erkers on Existential Hope.
AI x Neuro: Mindful Alignment: Foresight Institute's Chief of Innovation & Strategy Niamh Peren joined Juan Benet of Protocol Labs at AI x Neuro: Mindful Alignment in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The November 2024 gathering, organized by Triplicate.xyz and supported by Seed Club Ventures, brought together leaders in neuroscience, Buddhist studies, decentralized data, and neurotechnology. Niamh presented Foresight Institute's strategic initiative supporting whole brain emulation work, including our $20 million endowment plan for parallel research efforts. The presentations emphasized the importance of developing these technologies thoughtfully and directing them toward beneficial outcomes for humanity. Watch the full recording here.
Foresight Fellow Updates
Foresight Fellow Roman Bauer, Assistant Professor at the University of Surrey, recently published groundbreaking research in the Journal of Mathematical Biology on calibrating neuron growth models. Using advanced statistical methods and high-performance computing, Dr. Bauer and colleagues developed a novel framework for understanding how neurons develop their complex structures, representing a significant advance in computational neuroscience. Read more here.
Seminars
Workshop Reports
Our 2024 Longevity Biotech Fellowship and Foresight Longevity Workshop convened top experts across science, engineering, and investment to explore paths to a future free from disease and aging. The event focused on five critical areas:
Acceleration: Tools to increase the rate of progress in biotech
Replacement: Exploring tissue replacement as an aging intervention
Bioengineering: Advancing measurement, modeling, and gene delivery
Biostasis: Developing reversible stasis for organs and humans
Healthcare 3.0: Making health and lifespan extension accessible
The workshop report, now available, captures key insights and innovative solutions from participants representing MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and leading biotech companies.
Read the full report here
The report from our September 2024 Space Futures & Governance Workshop at Chabot Space Center is now available. In collaboration with OpenLunar Foundation, we gathered 40+ experts from NASA, JPL, Terraform Industries, and other leading organizations to explore sustainable space development. The report highlights:
Solutions for lunar infrastructure development and shared facilities
Novel funding approaches for space ventures and public goods
Technical challenges in power distribution and landing systems
Policy frameworks for commercial space stations and lunar activities
Practical steps toward democratizing space access
Read the complete report here
Hope Drop #32: Adam Marblestone | Solving Science’s Biggest Gaps
In this month's Existential Hope Drop, we speak with Adam Marblestone, CEO of Convergent Research. Adam discusses his transition from nanotechnology and neuroscience to pioneering Focused Research Organizations (FROs), nonprofit deep-tech startups designed to accelerate scientific discovery by building essential research infrastructure. He shares his vision of a future where understanding the human brain's fundamental structure leads to improved mental health and better-aligned technology, while more efficient scientific processes enable researchers to focus on solving significant challenges rather than navigating bureaucracy. Watch Adam's Hope Drop to explore how FROs are unlocking innovation and inspiring new approaches to advance human knowledge.
Community Updates
ARIA (Advanced Research + Invention Agency) is searching for their first Chief Technology Officer to help shape the organization's technical future. The role offers a unique opportunity to support and mentor Programme Directors while fostering an environment where visionary technical leaders can develop breakthrough technologies for meaningful societal change. Interested candidates can learn more and apply at aria.org.uk/careers.
Apollo Research is expanding their team with two key positions. They seek an EU Policy Researcher with 1-2 years of relevant experience and strong familiarity with the EU AI Act to contribute to their governance research. They are also looking for an Operations Generalist with 3+ years of experience to work across multiple operational domains. The Operations role is particularly suited for candidates with backgrounds in technical companies, research organizations, or think tanks. Learn more and apply at apollo.org/careers.
Astera has opened applications for their inaugural residency cohort, offering an exceptional opportunity for innovators focused on building public goods to advance science and technology. The program provides up to $250,000 in salary, team budget, operational expenses, and access to substantial compute resources through Voltage Park. Projects must be open-first, high-impact, and future-focused. Rolling admissions continuing until the winter cohort (5-8 projects, starting 1Q2025) is full. Learn more at astera.org/residency.
Thanks for reading Foresight Institute! This post is public, so feel free to share it.
Share