# Yoshua Yoshua Bengio Launches LawZero AI Safety Lab

Renowned AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio has announced the launch of LawZero, a new nonprofit research lab dedicated to developing safer artificial intelligence systems. The Turing Award winner revealed details of the initiative in an exclusive interview with the Financial Times.

The AI safety lab has secured $30 million in philanthropic funding from prominent tech figures including:

– Jaan Tallinn (Skype co-founder)
– Eric Schmidt (former Google CEO)
– Open Philanthropy
– Future of Life Institute

The lab’s name references Isaac Asimov’s Zeroth Law of Robotics, which prioritizes human protection above all other considerations in AI development. This philosophical foundation reflects Bengio’s growing concerns about the potential risks of advanced AI systems.

As one of the key architects of modern deep learning, Bengio has emerged as a leading voice in the AI safety movement. His recent advocacy includes support for California’s SB 1047, a controversial bill aimed at preventing catastrophic AI scenarios.

In his interview, Bengio expressed skepticism about major tech companies’ ability to prioritize safety while racing to develop increasingly powerful AI. The LawZero initiative represents his effort to create an independent research environment focused on AI alignment and safety rather than commercial competition.