Founded in 1890 and affiliated with 101 Nobel laureates, the University of Chicago is home to a growing cluster of AI safety and existential risk research. Its Existential Risk Laboratory (XLab), founded in 2022, trains researchers and conducts policy work on AI risk, biosecurity, and nuclear security. The Chicago Human+AI Lab, led by Prof. Chenhao Tan, pursues complementary AI research aimed at training systems to augment rather than replace human judgment. The Harris School of Public Policy's Technology and Society Initiative addresses AI governance, and the Booth School's Center for Applied AI examines AI's societal impacts. Open Philanthropy has directed multiple grants to UChicago for these programs.
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Theory of Change
The University of Chicago's AI safety-relevant programs operate through multiple channels. XLab aims to train the next generation of AI safety researchers and policymakers by running competitive fellowships and publishing open research, on the theory that more experts in existential risk will lead to better policy and technical outcomes. CHAI pursues a technical approach: by developing AI systems that complement rather than displace human agency and judgment, the research aims to reduce risks from misaligned or misused AI. The Harris Technology and Society Initiative seeks to shape AI governance through evidence-based policy recommendations, engaging government and industry directly. Collectively, the university treats risk reduction as requiring both technical research and policy translation, positioning itself as a bridge institution between academia and government.
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from Open Philanthropy
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An interdisciplinary research lab at the University of Chicago dedicated to analyzing and mitigating existential risks, with a focus on AI safety, nuclear security, biosecurity, and extreme climate change.
The Existential Risk Laboratory (XLab) at the University of Chicago trains early-career researchers through a 10-week summer fellowship focused on AI safety, nuclear security, and global catastrophic risk. It serves as an interdisciplinary hub for existential risk research across the university.
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- Last Updated
- Apr 2, 2026, 9:54 PM UTC
- Created
- Mar 20, 2026, 2:34 AM UTC