The Cosmos Institute, a nonprofit organization with founding members such as Anthropic’s co-founder Jack Clark and former U.S. Defense Department technologist Brendan McCord, has unveiled new research and venture programs. Their goal is to nurture the next generation of technologists and entrepreneurs who combine technical expertise with profound philosophical insight to navigate the complexities of the AI age.
In a recent announcement, McCord, who serves as the chair of the Cosmos Institute, revealed plans to establish an AI research lab at the University of Oxford. This lab, called the Human-Centered AI Lab (or HAI Lab), will be led by Oxford philosopher Philipp Koralus, another founding fellow of the Institute. The HAI Lab aims to “translate philosophical principles of human flourishing into open-source AI systems and software,” a concept that, while somewhat ambiguous, centers around creating AI technology that respects human dignity and minimizes harmful disruptions like job loss due to automation.
Additionally, the Cosmos Institute is launching a fellowship program called the Cosmos Fellowship. Initially, four fellows will work either at the HAI Lab or other affiliated institutions for periods ranging from a term to a year. These fellows will collaborate with mentors from the Cosmos network to explore projects that blend AI expertise with deep philosophical thought.
On the investment side, the Institute is introducing a new venture arm named Cosmos Ventures. Led by a team of experienced professionals, including former DeepMind product lead Jason Zhao, ex-Stripe corporate strategist Alex Komoroske, Darren Zhu, and Zoe Weinberg, Cosmos Ventures will support innovative projects that challenge fundamental ideas about the philosophy of technology. According to McCord, the venture arm will provide grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for creative prototypes, essays, and projects that must produce a “major deliverable” within three months.
The first group of projects has already received funding, McCord confirmed. The Cosmos Ventures model, inspired by Tyler Cowen’s Emergent Ventures, aims to maintain a low overhead while promoting thought-provoking initiatives.
While the Cosmos Institute is not the first organization to advocate for a more ethical approach to AI, it distinguishes itself by its clear focus on aligning AI development with humanistic values. Unlike other organizations, such as OpenAI, which have recently dismantled safety teams or pursued aggressive data collection practices, the Cosmos Institute appears committed to fostering a more thoughtful and ethical approach to AI.
McCord refers to this philosophy as “accelerationism,” which is based on the belief that the future is not predetermined and that humanity plays a crucial role in shaping it. “We must develop AI that encourages inquiry over complacency and fosters active participation rather than passive reliance, particularly in critical areas like education, healthcare, and public discourse,” McCord writes. “We support AI that decentralizes power, enabling grassroots solutions and empowering individuals and communities to build a richer, more diverse society.”
These are indeed noble goals, but whether the Cosmos Institute can maintain its ethical stance amid potential challenges involving money, influence, and power remains to be seen.
