Yoshua Bengio Launches AI Safety Lab LawZero

Groundbreaking Initiative for AI Safety

Artificial intelligence pioneer Yoshua Bengio, a Turing Award winner and key figure in modern AI development, has announced the launch of LawZero—a nonprofit lab dedicated to building safer AI systems. The Financial Times first reported this major development in AI safety research.

Funding and Support

LawZero has secured $30 million in philanthropic funding from prominent tech leaders, including:
– Skype founding engineer Jaan Tallinn
– Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt
– Open Philanthropy
– The Future of Life Institute

The lab’s name references Isaac Asimov’s Zeroth Law of Robotics, which prioritizes protecting humanity above all other directives—a fitting inspiration for an organization focused on AI safety.

Bengio’s Growing Influence in AI Safety

As one of the “godfathers of AI,” Bengio has emerged as a leading voice in the AI safety movement. He recently threw his support behind California’s SB 1047, a controversial bill aimed at preventing catastrophic risks from advanced AI systems.

In his Financial Times interview, Bengio expressed skepticism about major AI companies like OpenAI and Google adequately prioritizing safety in their race to develop more powerful AI. His new lab represents a significant counterbalance to corporate AI development.

Why LawZero Matters

This initiative comes at a crucial moment as AI capabilities advance rapidly. LawZero’s nonprofit structure and prestigious backing position it as a potentially influential force in shaping how AI systems are developed with safeguards to protect humanity—fulfilling the ethical vision behind its science fiction-inspired name.

With Bengio’s technical credentials and the support of major tech philanthropists, LawZero could play a pivotal role in steering AI development toward safer outcomes as the technology continues evolving at an unprecedented pace.