Superintelligent AI and Loss of Control — Virtual Workshop Series
Details
A free, virtual, public workshop — no technical background needed.
What would it actually mean for machines to become smarter than humans — not just at chess or writing, but at everything? For decades, scientists and researchers have debated the idea of superintelligent AI: systems that could outperform humans across nearly all cognitive tasks. What once sounded like distant science fiction is now increasingly discussed as a real possibility within our lifetimes.
This workshop is a guided, interactive introduction to superintelligence and the problem of loss of control — what happens if we create systems more capable than we are, but whose goals don't perfectly align with human values.
Together, we'll explore:
- Superintelligence: What it means for an AI system to surpass human intelligence across domains, and how this differs from today's AI.
- Power and control: Why advanced AI could wield enormous economic, political, and strategic influence — and why "just turning it off" may not be realistic.
- Misalignment risks: How systems pursuing the wrong objectives could cause harm even without malicious intent.
- Societal choices: How decisions made today — by researchers, companies, and governments — may shape whether AI becomes a tool we control or a force we struggle to contain.
What you'll get:
- A clear, non-technical introduction to core ideas from AI safety and existential risk research
- Live demonstrations of current AI capabilities to ground abstract concerns in real systems
- Small-group discussions and thought experiments connecting AI risks to everyday life, institutions, and incentives
- A better mental model for evaluating headlines, hype, and claims about AI progress
Whether you're new to AI, casually interested, or deeply unsure what to believe, you'll leave with a clearer picture of why many researchers take superintelligence seriously — and what's actually at stake if we get it wrong.
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This is the final session in a three-part virtual series. If you missed Session 1 — Where is AI in 2026? (5/12) or Session 2 — The AGI Transition (5/14) — each workshop stands on its own and is free to attend.