Expert Workshop
A two-day, output-oriented workshop bringing together fellows, mentors, and invited experts for structured work on the strategic, societal, and policy dimensions of digital minds.
The Expert Workshop is held immediately after the Digital Minds Fellowship, bringing together fellows and senior experts for structured, collaborative research.
Unlike typical academic conferences, every session aims at a concrete, tangible deliverable: research papers, policy recommendations, or expert consensus statements. The format is highly structured, with predefined questions, systematic recording of all considerations, and quantitative estimates collected via surveys.
For fellows, the workshop allows them to continue the work begun during their programme alongside senior experts, contributing to research outputs while building connections with the broader community. For experts, it provides a structured opportunity for coordination and collaborative research that would be difficult to achieve through typical conferences.
Workshop Programme
Two days of structured, output-oriented sessions.
AI Welfare Intervention Assessment
Systematic evaluation of candidate interventionsA highly structured session systematically evaluating candidate AI welfare interventions, drawing on existing frameworks. Participants assess interventions across predefined dimensions, with all considerations discussed and recorded.
Evaluation Dimensions:
- Effectiveness: How much impact could this intervention have?
- Tractability: How feasible is implementation?
- Risks: What could go wrong?
- Neglectedness: Is this already being addressed?
- Interaction with AI safety: Does this complement or conflict with safety goals?
Participants enter quantitative ratings via survey, enabling systematic comparison and prioritisation.
Output: Research paper comparing and prioritising AI welfare interventionsExpert Panel & Consensus Work
Structured elicitation of expert viewsStructured elicitation of expert views on key questions in the digital minds space, feeding into an expert consensus statement or policy recommendations document.
Key Questions Addressed:
- Likelihood that current or near-term systems are conscious
- Timeline estimates for key developments
- Key uncertainties and research priorities
- Concrete policy recommendations for governments, companies, and institutions
Long-Term Scenario Planning
Strategic foresight and intervention designAn alternative session where small groups develop scenarios for digital minds through ~2100, then use these scenarios to generate and evaluate strategic ideas. The goal is not just forecasting but generating novel strategic ideas that might not emerge from standard policy analysis.
Session Components:
- Scenario development with predefined questions addressed systematically
- Quantitative estimates via survey (likelihood of scenarios, timeline estimates, risk severity)
- Brainstorming intervention ideas: policies, institutions, public messaging strategies, research agendas
- Discussion of public communication approaches for different audiences
Design Principles
What makes this workshop different from typical academic gatherings.
Output-Oriented
Every session aims at a concrete, tangible deliverable: a paper draft, consensus statement, or policy recommendation. No session ends without a clear output.
Highly Structured
Predefined questions, systematic recording of all considerations, and quantitative estimates collected via surveys. This enables rigorous analysis and comparison.
Strategic & Policy Focus
Emphasis on societal implications and concrete recommendations. The goal is actionable insights, not just academic discussion.
Mixed Participation
Fellows integrated with experts throughout. Some sessions may be expert-only, but the default is collaborative work across career stages.
Participants
The workshop brings together approximately 50 participants: the 10–15 fellows from the preceding fellowship, their mentors, and invited experts from across the digital minds landscape.
Fellows & Mentors
Fellows arrive having engaged with scenario planning and intervention thinking during their programme. Mentors provide continuity and guidance.
Digital Minds Researchers
Experts working directly on AI consciousness, AI welfare, and related philosophical and technical questions.
Policy & Governance
Representatives from AI policy and governance organisations bringing real-world implementation perspectives.
Strategic Thinkers
Macrostrategy researchers and legal experts who can situate digital minds within broader considerations.
Connection to the Fellowship
The workshop directly follows the five-day Digital Minds Fellowship. Fellows arrive having already engaged with scenario planning and intervention thinking during their programme. The workshop allows them to continue this work alongside senior experts, contributing to research outputs while building connections with the broader community.
Attend the Workshop
Fellowship alumni automatically attend. Interested experts should express interest via email.
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