Foresight Institute

Foresight Institute

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Advancing frontier science and technology since 1986.

Foresight Institute is a leading non-profit research organization focused on technologies of fundamental importance for the human future, focusing on molecular machine nanotechnology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

Foresight Fellowship Q&A · Zoom · Luma 05/06/2026

Considering applying to the Foresight Fellowship? Join us for a 30-minute live Q&A on May 19th to ask anything you want to know.

Our Fellowship is a year-long program for early-career scientists, engineers, and innovators working on AI, longevity biotechnology, neurotechnology, nanotechnology, or space. Fellows get connected with senior researchers, mentors, and funders, plus paid travel to technical workshops and events.

On May 19th we'll be on hand to answer questions about the program, what we look for in applicants, and what makes a strong application. Bring anything you want to know.

Register:

Foresight Fellowship Q&A · Zoom · Luma Considering applying to the 2027 Foresight Fellowship? Join us for a 30-minute live Q&A to hear more about the program and ask anything you want to know. If…

04/30/2026

What work in usable security deserves recognition?

Our $10,000 Norm Hardy Prize recognizes work that makes secure systems easier to use. Applications are open.

Society depends on infrastructure that depends on security — yet our current software infrastructure isn't just insecure, it's insecurable. No interface fixes a broken foundation. We know how to build vastly more secure systems; the challenge is designing interactions that let people use them securely.

If your work contributes to this, we want to hear from you. We welcome both academic and practical contributions.

Apply by July 31: https://foresight.org/prizes/norm-hardy-prize/

03/16/2026

Join us for our first ever Vision Weekend in the United Kingdom!

​2026 marks 40 years of Foresight. Over three days, we will gather leading researchers, builders, and funders to look forward: exploring what scientific and technological frontiers will shape the coming decades, and how to make them reality.

June 5–7 | London

Confirmed speakers include:

• ​Ed Boyden (MIT) on biologically accurate brain simulation
• ​​Greg Wayne (Google DeepMind) on universal AI assistants
• ​Jano Costard (SPRIND) on challenges as a tool for breakthrough innovation
• ​Christine Peterson (Foresight Institute) on Foresight, 40 years later
• ​Dorothy Chou (Google DeepMind) on capital for the long game: financing durable innovation in an age of hype
• ​Irina Rish (Mila) on beyond scaling: toward continual and adaptive intelligence
• ​Christopher Rozell (Georgia Tech) on closed-loop neuroengineering: algorithms that learn from the brain in real time
• ​Lee Cronin (University of Glasgow)
• ​Mehmet Fisek (Meridial) on Focused Research Organisation mission and setup
• ​Zoë Brammer (Google DeepMind) on AI for science 2030
• ​Joao Pedro de Magalhaes (University of Birmingham) on hacking aging biology

and many more.

Get your tickets: https://foresight.org/events/vision-weekend-uk-2026/

Powered by:
Apollo Research
Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA)
e184
Cambridge University Health Partners
Renaissance Philanthropy
SPRIND - Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovationen
And-Now

02/19/2026

We are hiring a Systems Administrator & Compute Support to manage the technical infrastructure of our AI Node in San Francisco – a physical hub for AI-driven science and safety!

You will:
• Maintain and troubleshoot UNIX-based GPU systems
• Manage NVIDIA drivers, CUDA environments, and multi-user GPU access
• Support Docker/containerized research workloads
• Maintain local servers and physical hardware
• Help onboard research projects and improve pre-existing documentation

The start date is ASAP, and we are reviewing applications on a rolling basis.

Apply here: https://foresight.org/careers/systems-administrator-compute-support-part-time-contractor-san-francisco/

01/30/2026

“Each conversation I have at the Foresight Institute feels like the start of the next 100 years. It's a concentration of people thinking a couple of decades (and sometimes centuries) ahead of the rest of the world.” – Ben Woodington

It’s just one week before we combine frontier science and tech with stunning island vibes in Puerto Rico! Engage with the most forward-looking work in AI, longevity, neurotech, progress, crypto, nanotech, energy, and space with fellow futurists and our brilliant speakers.

Final chance to join us: https://foresight.org/events/vision-weekend-puerto-rico-2026/

Speakers
• Robin Hanson, George Mason University
• Ramez Naam, author
• Samuel Hammond, Foundation for American Innovation
• Konrad Kording, University of Pennsylvania
• Brandon Green, BTC Inc
• Jin Suntivich, Cornell University
• Richard Sedlmayr, Agency Fund
• David Shor, Blue Rose Research
• Ben Woodington, Coherence
• Alex Shieh, Antifraud Company
• Nico Shi, Agartha
• Jean Hebert, ARPA-H
• Jonathan Anomaly, Herasight
• Ashley Zehnder, Fauna Bio
• Joel Shor, Move 37 Labs
• Alice Gilman, stealth
• Dodam Ih, Zetta AI
• Eva Dyer, University of Pennsylvania
• Todd Huffman, Episteme
• Sean Escola, Protocol Labs
• Maribella Domenech, Center for Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine at UPRM
• Sherri Goldman, VAST
• Michelle Lai, Electric Coin Co.
• Amiti Uttarwar, Waye
• Neha Narula, Digital Currency Initiative
• Jean Cruz, AGM International
• Brandon Goldman, Lionheart VC
• Lauren Wagner, Abundance Institute
• Aaron Wright, Tribute Labs
• Casey Caruso, Topology VC
• Saturnin Pugnet, Project Omega
• Cameron Colby Thomson, HRF & Good Ancestor Foundation
• Allison Duettmann, Foresight Institute
• Taylor Tondelli, Confluence Philanthropy

Sponsors: Herasight, Longevity San Juan and Scryer

12/09/2025

Vision Weekend returns to Puerto Rico – today is the last day to get early-bird tickets!

Our flagship event is back in the Caribbean, gathering futurist researchers and builders to celebrate frontier science and tech. From cypherpunk and brain–computer interfaces to fusion and longevity biotech, connect over big ideas with fellow entrepreneurs and scientists during sunset drinks, beach picnics, and island adventures.

📍 Old San Juan, Puerto Rico | Feb 6–8, 2026

Speakers include:
• Jean Hebert, ARPA-H
• Robin Hanson, George Mason University
• Ramez Naam
• Lauren Wagner, Abundance Institute
• Konrad Kording, University of Pennsylvania
• Neha Narula, Digital Currency Initiative
• Ashley Zehnder, Fauna Bio

Get early-bird tickets before prices rise on Dec 10: https://foresight.org/events/vision-weekend-puerto-rico-2026/

Sponsors: Vitalik Buterin, Herasight, Mount Sinai Health System, Longevity San Juan, and Scryer.

11/19/2025

New AI Nodes + important grant updates!

2026 marks our 40th anniversary, and we are entering an exciting new chapter by launching two physical hubs – one in Berlin and one in San Francisco.

With the nodes, we want to support ambitious researchers and builders who use AI to advance science and safety. The hubs combine grant funding with office and community spaces, programming, and in-house compute to help teams build faster.

The AI Nodes will open in early 2026, and we’re now inviting applications for:
- Grants: Funding, office space, in-house compute (for eligible projects), and invitations to relevant workshops and events.
- Office & event spaces: Free access to our nodes.
- Compute: Free compute for your project.

We are also making important updates to our grants – they will now be connected to the nodes, have an AI-first approach, and monthly deadlines instead of quarterly.

Come shape a future where AI progress remains open, secure, and aligned with human flourishing. Learn more and apply by Dec 31: https://foresight.org/grants/grants-ai-for-science-safety/

10/02/2025

We are very excited to announce our amazing speaker line-up for Vision Weekend! Join these field-leading researchers and builders as we explore the frontiers of neurotech, biotech, AI, security, space, and energy!

Get tickets: https://foresight.org/events/vision-weekend-usa-2025/

Speakers:
• Ed Boyden (Boyden Lab)
• Viren Jain (Google)
• Chiara Marletto (University of Oxford)
• Laura Deming (Until)
• Alan Mardinly (Science)
• Andrew Trask (OpenMined)
• Liv Boeree (Win-Win Podcast)
• Cate Hall (Astera Institute)
• Adam Brown (Google DeepMind & Stanford University)
• Greg Wayne (Google DeepMind)
• Joe Betts-LaCroix (Retro)
• Andrew Payne (E11 Bio)
• Ariel Ekblaw (Aurelia Institute)
• Eli Dourado (Astera Institute)
• Gwern Branwen (gwern.net)
• Adam Goldstein (Softmax)
• Erika Alden DeBenedictis (Pioneer Labs)
• John Hallman (OpenAI)
• Joshua Elliott (Renaissance Philanthropy)
• Juan Benet (Protocol Labs)
• Matthew Cullinen (HSBC)
• Sean Escola (Protocol Labs/ARNI)
• Steve Jurvetson (Future Ventures)
• Molly MacKinlay (Protocol Labs)
• Anastasia Gamick (Convergent Research)
• Ela Madej (Fifty Years)
• Brandon Goldman (Lionheart Ventures)
• Ant Rowstron (ARIA)

09/16/2025

Join us for Vision Weekend USA, our annual flagship event bringing together leading researchers, entrepreneurs, and funders at the forefront of science and technology!

This year’s theme – “AI for X” – explores how AI can accelerate breakthroughs in longevity biotech, neurotech, and other transformative fields.

📍 Dec 5–7 | Bay Area

Confirmed speakers include:
• Ed Boyden (Boyden Lab)
• Laura Deming (Until)
• Andrew Trask (OpenMined)
• Viren Jain (Google)
• Liv Boeree (Win-Win Podcast)
• Chiara Marletto (University of Oxford)
• Alan Mardinly (Science)
• Cate Hall (Astera Institute)
• Adam Brown (Google DeepMind & Stanford University)
• Greg Wayne (Google DeepMind)
• Joe Betts-LaCroix (Retro)

Get tickets: https://foresight.org/events/vision-weekend-usa-2025/

09/09/2025

We are hiring – 4 open positions!

• Executive Assistant
• Communications Specialist
• Node Manager – San Francisco
• Node Manager (Pop-Up) – Berlin (contractor via partner)

✨Executive Assistant. We are looking for a structured organization whiz to assist our CEO with her daily work and leverage her impact.

✨Communications Specialist. This role will work exclusively with our Existential Hope program, helping expand its reach with creative, engaging content.

✨Node Managers (San Francisco & Berlin). We are launching two physical hubs for researchers, engineers, and technologists to collaborate on decentralized, defensive AI and AI-driven science. As a Node Manager, you will play the key role in making the hub a success – running the space, building its community, and making it buzz with activity.

Check out the details for each position here: https://foresight.org/about/

09/05/2025

What are the best strategies for addressing risks from artificial superintelligence? In this 4-hour conversation, Eliezer Yudkowsky and Mark Miller discuss their cruxes for disagreement.

While Eliezer advocates an international treaty that bans anyone from building it, Mark argues that such a pause would make an ASI singleton more likely – which he sees as the greatest danger.

Watch the full discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-Eknqaksfg

07/07/2025

Become a 2026 Foresight Fellow!

Our year-long program supports early-career scientists, engineers and innovators advancing beneficial technologies. Fellows are invited to our events and seminar groups alongside senior scientists and field leaders – with opportunities to present their work. We also offer career counseling and introductions to relevant researchers and funders.

Apply by July 31st.

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San Francisco
San Francisco, CA