Dear Singularitarians,

The Beneficial AGI Summit & Unconference 2024 recently came to a close, leaving behind a trail of inspired minds, groundbreaking ideas and connections, and a collective vision for the future of Beneficial Artificial General Intelligence (BGI).

This gathering of the greatest minds in the AI field was not only a forum for discussion but also a launchpad for the development of a Beneficial AGI — a development that promises to align AGI closely with humanity’s best interests.

With that said, we want to share with you a brief highlight of some of the amazing talks and discussions that went on during this year’s Beneficial AGI Summit, and give you an opportunity to watch the replays and draw even more insights and knowledge from the wide variety of experts we had the pleasure of hosting during the event.

Here are some of the highlights that made the Beneficial AGI Summit 2024 such an unforgettable experience.

Day 1

· Opening Keynote: Life After AI

George Gilder, renowned author and co-founder of the Discovery Institute, set the stage with an opening keynote that presented a vision of the post-AI future. He discussed how advancements in materials like graphene are leading us towards a transformative computing paradigm, emphasizing a shift from centralized data centers to distributed computation that empowers humanity rather than dominating it.

· Perspectives on Risks and Benefits of AGI and Superintelligence

This talk dove into the dual-edged nature of AGI, weighing its unprecedented potential against existential risks. Panelists Elizabeth Shaw, Jay Friedenberg, José Luis Cordeiro, and Roman Yampolskiy provided a nuanced analysis of AGI’s impact on society.

· Software and Hardware Architectures for Beneficial AGI

Day One of the Summit also featured an insightful discussion about software and hardware architectures for AGI. This panel brought together leading figures in the AGI space to dissect the current technical strides towards the realization of Artificial General Intelligence.

The conversation spanned the spectrum of hardware and software architectures crucial for the development of AGI systems that could profoundly benefit humanity and other sentient beings. Not only that, but quantum computing was discussed as a promising frontier that could leapfrog current computational limitations, thereby accelerating progress toward AGI.

The conversation also touched upon the limitations of current Large Language Models (LLMs) and the potential of neural-symbolic LLMs to overcome these shortcomings, offering a glimpse into the future of more sophisticated and beneficial AGI systems.

· Overview of the Regulatory Landscape for AGI

SingularityNET COO Janet Adams provided a comprehensive overview of the existing and forthcoming regulatory mechanisms that could shape the development and deployment of AGI technologies.

· Prospects for Uplifting Human Consciousness

Jeffery Martin took the audience on an explorative journey into how AGI could enhance human cognitive capabilities, proposing a future where technology elevates our mental and emotional states.

· Posthumanism and AGI: Exploring the Intelligence-trajectory Political Matrix

Daniel Faggella, CEO of Emerj AI Research, steered the conversation towards AGI’s long-term vision and policy implications, beyond immediate concerns. This session presented the Intelligence Trajectory Political Matrix, juxtaposing the views of participants with those of preeminent thinkers in the field.

· AGI’s Missing Ingredient is Almost Here

Toufi Saliba, CEO of HyperCycle, provided a groundbreaking revelation about the progress in AGI, focusing on the emergent ability of AI’s smallest components to collaborate without intermediaries, which could lead to a decentralized AGI ecosystem and expedite the journey toward superintelligence.

To watch the full replay of Day 1, visit the Beneficial AGI Summit Day 1 livestream.

Day 2

· Fireside Chat on Transhumanism and AGI

David Wood and Max More’s fireside chat examined how transhumanist principles can inform the development of AGI, fostering a technology that not only mimics human intelligence but also amplifies human experience and capabilities.

· The Economics of the Singularity

Robin Hanson’s session dissected the potential economic transformations ushered in by AGI, from labor market shifts to new wealth paradigms, offering a unique blend of futurism and economic theory.

· Advancing Human Consciousness and Ethics Preceding Human-Level AGI

Moderated by Daniel Faggella, this panel, including Gabriel Axel Montes, Julia Mossbridge, Mikey Siegel, and Allan Leslie Combs, discussed the ethical landscape of AGI development, emphasizing the importance of aligning AGI’s progression with human values and consciousness.

· Fostering Diversity and Global Collaboration in AGI Research

SingularityNET’s Decentralization Program Lead, Esther Galfalvi, led a panel discussion with Betelhem Dessie, Ruiting Lian, Yip Thy-Diep Ta, and Youngsook Park that explored avenues to cultivate a diverse AGI research ecosystem. The conversation revolved around enhancing global cooperation, empowering contributors from the developing world, and incorporating a wide array of cultural perspectives into AGI development.

· Principles for a Global Constitution and Governance Framework for Benevolent AGI

Dr. Anneloes Smitsman, Co-founder & CEO of EARTHwise ventures, captivated attendees with her vision of a global Constitution and Governance Framework for AGI. Her session delved into the essence of designing a system that could lead AGI development towards the betterment of all life on our planet. She posed critical inquiries on the effectiveness of a Global Constitution in steering AGI for collective wellbeing, the resolution of coherence in decentralized governance, and strategies for inclusive participation in the AGI discourse.

To watch the full replay of Day 2, visit the Beneficial AGI Summit Day 2 livestream.

The latter two days of the event featured the all-important Unconference, a place for dynamic discussions, innovative ideas, and collaborative networking among participants.

The Unconference kicked off with an interactive panel titled “Guiding Progress Toward the Beneficial AGI Horizon: Exploring Principles for a Decentralized Global Community,” moderated by Dr. Mihaela Ulieru, Chief AI Alchemist at SingularityNET. Panelists including Dr. Anneloes Smitsman, Dr. Esther Galfalvi, and Sharon Gal-Or, debated on principles that could guide a decentralized global community towards the development of beneficial AGI, discussed practical strategies for fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the establishment of ethical frameworks, the impact of governmental regulations, and the potential role of DAOs and blockchain methodologies in this context.

The BGI Summit 2024 also featured interactive working groups, yoga and tai-chi sessions, exercises, networking opportunities, and much more!

The collective energy of all participants and viewers was one of shared goals and ambitions, and we couldn’t be happier that we all came together to build and actively shape this vision we all have for the future of AGI.

On that note, we want to say…

… a big THANK YOU to everyone who made the Beneficial AGI Summit 2024 such a landmark success.

A special thanks to our esteemed speakers, your insights and expertise were fundamental in elevating the discussions and inspiring our attendees. Thank you for being an integral part of the event.

We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors. Your support played a key role in making our 1st BGI Summit a resounding success. Special thanks to TrueAGI, HyperCycle, SophiaVerse, Sophiaverse (Sentience), Humanity+, and The Millennium Project.

While the Beneficial AGI Summit 2024 & Unconference has concluded, the conversation it has ignited is just beginning.

We carry forward the wealth of knowledge, the robust discussions, and the fervent hope that the principles and practices expounded upon here will continue to inform our collective strides towards a beneficial AGI.

As we look back on the summit’s rich discourse and vibrant collaboration, we invite everyone — academics, industry professionals, policymakers, and enthusiasts — to keep the flame of inquiry burning.

Together, we stand on the brink of a new era, an era where Artificial General Intelligence serves as a beacon of progress, guided by the light of human wisdom, values, and ethical stewardship.

The Beneficial AGI Summit may have ended, but our shared journey towards a future graced with the benefits of AGI is only just beginning.