AI Futures
Discussion groups making sense of AI’s trajectory
October-December 2025, sign-up on Luma
What?
Where is artificial intelligence headed, and what does it mean for our future? Join us for an engaging six-part series exploring the most important questions about AI development, from current technology to long-term impacts.
Whether you're a student, professional or simply curious about how AI might shape our world, these interactive sessions will help you understand the key issues and form your own views. Each session combines clear explanations with group discussions and exercises, helping you grasp complex topics and think through their implications.
We'll start by understanding today's AI technology and how it might lead to artificial general intelligence (AGI). From there, we'll explore how experts forecast AI development, why making AI systems reliably do what we want is surprisingly challenging, and how different countries and organizations are approaching AI governance. We'll examine possible futures after AGI - from solving humanity's greatest challenges to creating new ones - and finish with practical strategies for navigating an uncertain future.
Who?
Anyone curious about where artificial intelligence is headed and what it means for our future. Whether you're working in tech, studying AI, or simply interested in understanding one of the most important developments of our time, these sessions will help you form clearer views on AI's trajectory. No technical background is required. The format emphasizes discussion and interaction, so bring your questions and your curiosity.
When
& Where?
Thursday, October 2nd: Semester kickoff
An introductory event of ZAIS. Attend to learn more about us and socialize with like-minded peers!
Thursday, October 16: Forecasting Transformative AI: Methods, Models, and Metrics
How do we predict when transformative AI might arrive? An examination of data and tools, what signals to watch for, and how to think clearly about AI timelines.
Thursday, October 30: The Alignment Problem: Engineering Safe Superintelligence
Why ensuring AI systems reliably do what we want is harder than it sounds, and what approaches we can try to solve this.
Thursday, November 13: Who Controls the Future? Governance, Coordination, and Policy
How nations and organizations are approaching AI development, what's working, what isn't, and why coordination between major players could determine our future.
Thursday, November 27: Potential Trajectories for a Post-AGI Civilization
From solving humanity's greatest challenges to causing great destruction - exploring the paths our civilization might take after AGI, and what determines which future we get.
Thursday, December 11: Navigating the Future: Strategic Planning for an Uncertain World
Making smart personal and professional choices in a rapidly changing world, while finding ways to help shape a better future.
Location: Events will take place in ETH HG. Register on Luma to see the location.