Transformative Futures Institute

The Transformative Futures Institute (TFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization founded in 2022 by Dr. Ross Gruetzemacher, an Assistant Professor of Business Analytics at Wichita State University and Research Affiliate at Cambridge's Centre for the Study of Existential Risk. TFI is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, and its legal name is Transformative Futures Foresight Institute Inc. TFI's mission is to guide humanity toward vibrant and flourishing futures through the application of underutilized foresight techniques. The organization was established on the premise that rapid advancements in AI represent the most pressing threat to humanity's long-term prosperity, and that the AI safety field has underinvested in structured foresight methods relative to their potential value. The institute's research concentrates on three main areas: forecasting (using quantitative and probabilistic techniques to assess AI risks and the likelihood of catastrophic outcomes), AI governance (identifying effective policies and regulatory frameworks to ensure AI operates safely), and evaluations and assessment (systematically assessing AI systems at all stages of development for safety, reliability, and alignment with human values). TFI also conducts wargaming and red teaming exercises for crisis management planning, and uses agent-based and Monte Carlo simulation to model mid- to long-term AI futures. Key team members include Dr. Toby D. Pilditch (Chief Research Scientist, Research Affiliate at Oxford and Honorary Research Fellow at UCL), Dr. Christy Manning (Operations Coordinator and Board Member), Dr. David Paradice (Board, Harbert Eminent Scholar in Business Analytics), and Dr. Gary Ackerman (Board). The institute has also partnered with or drawn researchers from the Forecasting Research Institute and Oxford University. TFI disseminates its research through academic publications, policy engagement in Washington D.C., and through initiatives such as a proposed international consortium for evaluating societal-scale risks from advanced AI. Financially, TFI reported revenue of $554,968 and expenses of $234,088 in 2023. In 2024 revenue declined to $133,000 while expenses rose to $383,050, indicating the organization was drawing down reserves. The organization accepts donations through GiveButter.