Geoffrey Hinton and Jeff Dean in conversation: recorded live at NeurIPS
A new Radical Talks podcast episode features Geoffrey Hinton and Google Chief Scientist Jeff Dean in a live conversation recorded at NeurIPS 2025, reflecting on the past, present, and future of artificial intelligence—alongside the announcement of the new Hinton Chair at the University of Toronto.
Call for 2026 Schwartz Reisman Institute Graduate Fellows now open
The Schwartz Reisman Institute is now accepting applications for its 2026 Graduate Fellowships, supporting U of T researchers advancing responsible, human-centred approaches to AI and emerging technology. The one-year fellowship includes a $7,500 stipend and access to SRI’s interdisciplinary research community. Apply by February 8, 2026.
Schwartz Reisman Institute releases 2025–2028 strategic plan
The Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society has launched its 2025–2028 strategic plan, outlining a focused vision for steering advanced AI toward safety, ethics, and the public good. Centered on safe AI systems, data integrity, and the social impacts of technology, the plan sets out priorities to advance interdisciplinary research, translate insights into real-world policy impact, and strengthen global leadership in AI governance.
Geoffrey Hinton awarded Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering
Schwartz Reisman Institute Advisory Board member Geoffrey Hinton has been awarded the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, recognizing his pioneering contributions to the development of modern machine learning and artificial intelligence. Presented by King Charles III at St James’s Palace, the honour celebrates Hinton’s lifelong impact on both the science and societal understanding of AI.
Hinton and Li headline Who’s Afraid of AI? conference on the futures of intelligence
AI visionaries Geoffrey Hinton and Fei-Fei Li headlined Who’s Afraid of AI?, a landmark University of Toronto conference exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping culture, creativity, and collective imagination. Presented in part by the Schwartz Reisman Institute, the event brought together artists, technologists, and scholars to envision more human-centered futures of intelligence.
Therapy bots: Regulating the future of AI-enabled mental health support
AI therapy chatbots promise accessible mental health support—but without proper oversight, they risk misleading users and causing harm. The Schwartz Reisman Institute’s new policy brief outlines how Canada can regulate these tools to protect public trust and ensure AI innovation truly serves human wellbeing.
The big picture of dangerous capability evaluations: David Duvenaud at the Seminar Series
How can we stay in control when AI systems surpass human intelligence? In a recent SRI Seminar, Schwartz Reisman Chair David Duvenaud explored the frontier of AI safety, alignment, and governance, introducing new research on “dangerous capability” evaluations and control protocols designed to detect when AI models become too powerful to oversee.
SRI appoints Bruce Schneier as visiting senior policy fellow
Global security expert and author Bruce Schneier—known for reshaping how the world understands security, privacy, and trust—has joined the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society (SRI) as a visiting senior policy fellow for 2025–26.
David Duvenaud reflects on post-AGI workshop
SRI Chair David Duvenaud shares reflections from the Post-AGI workshop, highlighting the value of diverse perspectives and the challenges of envisioning post-AGI trajectories.
AI in the friend zone: Rethinking companionship
Can we have genuine relationships with AI systems? At the third Technophilosophy Soiree, conceived of and led by SRI Research Lead Karina Vold, leading thinkers from a variety of disciplines explored the social and ethical implications of AI companionship.
AI companions: Regulating the next wave of digital harms
From AI chatbots marketed as digital partners to voice assistants designed for intimacy, these systems promise connection while raising urgent questions about privacy, manipulation, and digital addiction.
Data privacy and governance for Canadian innovation: SRI responds to Canada’s implementation of global privacy certifications
The Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society responds to Canada’s consultation on global privacy certifications, outlining how CBPR and PRP can strengthen data protection, build public trust, and drive innovation in the digital economy.

