Our Mission

Our modern world is the product of technological advancement. Artificial intelligence is poised to accelerate this transformation, reshaping economies, global power structures, and daily life. These shifts aren't decades away; in fact, they've already begun.

AI has the potential to be a force for immense good, provided we can develop and deploy it safely. The field of AI safety addresses this challenge, requiring expertise that spans technical research, policy, and ethics.

At the Wisconsin AI Safety Initiative (WAISI), we bring people together to understand and address the risks of advanced AI. Our aim is to guide its development toward a future that benefits everyone — and the best time to work on that future is now.

Our Impact

• 9 WAISI members flew out to DC to participate in a Congressional Exhibition on Advanced AI, hosted by the Center for AI Policy (CAIP).
• One of our members contributed to Wisconsin's 2023 Assembly Bill 664, which requires disclosing AI-generated material in political ads.
• We've hosted speakers from Google DeepMind, Anthropic, Model Evaluation and Threat Research (METR), the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), and the Horizon Institute for Public Service.
• We have members in 12 research labs on campus. See our research page.
• We've collaborated with professors from the School of Computer, Data, and Information Sciences, the School of Education, the School of Business, and the Department of Philosophy.

Our Goals

1. Spark dialogue. We leverage our position at a flagship school to promote better models of AI futures, encourage productive debate, and engage with key decision-makers.
2. Help students build skills for technical AI research and AI policy positions. We connect students with mentors, share relevant opportunities, and run projects that matter. Learn more about our programs here.
3. Build a club that lasts. We aim to be a place where friendliness, critical thinking, and shared ambition bring out the best in each other. Learn more by reading our culture statement.

Contact

If you're a student interested in getting involved, check out our programs page.

For all other inquiries, email us at aisafetyuw@gmail.com.