Examining Leading AI Safety Initiatives: What's Next on the Horizon?

Thursday, November 7th @ Galvanize

Unlike most meetups — which start with networking, snacks, and drinks — we jump right into the content and push socializing to the end. That's because our meetup intentionally coincides with the popular new street festival Downtown First Thursdays, less than one block from the venue. The event draws tens of thousands of locals and has breathed life back into downtown.

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Thursday, November 7th: Examining Leading AI Safety Initiatives: What's Next on the Horizon? Featuring: Senator Scott Wiener, David Evan Harris, and Leah Walker.

Join us as we examine a range of AI safety initiatives fresh off the recent veto of SB-1047, authored by CA State Senator Scott Wiener. 113 current and former employees of prominent AI companies had attached their names to an open letter supporting the passage of SB-1047. However, Governor Newsom vetoed the bill at the 11th hour, following its passage through both houses of the CA State Assembly.

Read: Sen. Wiener's Statement in Response to Gov. Newsom's Veto

Why is there so much opposition to common sense AI regulation when so many working in AI support it? What other safety initiatives are lurking on the horizon? We will look at this issue through multiple lenses:

• Regulation
• Corporate Governance
• Safety & Alignment Research
• Lobbying & Public Advocacy

AI safety is crucial for ensuring that AI technologies are developed responsibly, with safeguards to prevent harmful consequences. These initiatives address various risks, including short-term concerns like bias, discrimination, and lack of transparency, as well as long-term risks like the development of autonomous, harmful systems. Understanding the pros and cons of these initiatives will help provide insight into how AI can be aligned with ethical and human-centered values.

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Meetup agenda:
5:00pm: Doors Open @ Galvanize (44 Tehama St.)
5:15pm: 1-hour Panel
6:15pm: Q&A
6:30pm: Walk to Downtown First Thursdays (Street Festival)

We look forward to seeing you there!

Meetup Sponsors:

LEANSTUDIO
Foundry415
Galvanize Co-Working

Nov. 7th Featured Speakers:

David Evan Harris is a Chancellor’s Public Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley and faculty member at the Haas School of Business, where he teaches courses on artificial intelligence (AI) ethics, social movements and social media, and civic technology. He is also a researcher and advisor at a number of organizations working on technology and policy, serving as a Senior Policy Advisor at the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy, Senior Research Fellow at the International Computer Science Institute, Senior Advisor at the Brennan Center for Justice, and Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. Harris has advised the White House, US Congress, European Union, United Nations, NATO, and California Legislature about technology policy.

Senator Scott Wiener represents District 11, including San Francisco, Daly City, and parts of South San Francisco. He has earned a reputation as a leader in policy areas critical to California’s innovation economy, including technology, housing, and climate resilience. His legislative efforts reflect a commitment to advancing California’s standing as a hub of innovation while also ensuring ethical standards and safety measures in tech development.

Senator Wiener authored SB-1047, a pioneering AI safety bill that received broad support from the tech community, including AI industry leaders and ethicists. Although Governor Newsom ultimately vetoed the bill, the legislation underscored the urgent need for AI safeguards.

Leah Walker is the Lab Director for the Berkeley Risk and Security Lab. She oversees the Lab’s interdisciplinary research portfolio, which includes nuclear arms control, nuclear weapons policy, defense analyses, emerging defense technologies, the governance of emerging technologies, industrial policy, and strategic competition. Leah also conducts research on the governance of military and commercial artificial intelligence, Russian and Chinese nuclear posture and modernization, nuclear and radiological security, and maritime security and strategy.