AI Researcher Paul Christiano to Lecture at 2026 Hinton Lectures
News related to:AI Safety Foundation · 2 min read
TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Hinton Lectures, a transformative lecture series focused on artificial intelligence (AI), are set to return for a third year in Toronto from November 9 to 11, 2026. This event, co-founded by Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, aims to demystify AI for the public and provide a platform for open, accessible discussions on the future of the technology.
This year, renowned AI researcher Paul Christiano will be the distinguished lecturer. Christiano, known for his work at OpenAI, where he developed reinforcement learning from human feedback, will also serve as the founder and executive director of the Alignment Research Center. His role includes developing methods to better understand the decision-making processes within machine learning systems. Additionally, Christiano is a Senior Technical Advisor at NIST's Center for AI Standards and Innovation, a Board Member of the OpenAI Foundation, and a Member of the OpenAI Safety and Security Committee.
The lecture series will be moderated by Sínead Bovell, a Canadian futurist, writer, and podcaster, and the founder of WAYE, a tech education initiative. The lectures will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, specifically at the John W. H. Bassett Theatre, and will also be broadcast online. The event is part of the inaugural AI Safety Week, which aims to address the pressing questions surrounding AI's development and governance.
The Hinton Lectures are supported by Manulife, a leading international financial services provider, and the Global Risk Institute (GRI), a premier organization for risk management thought leadership. Manulife will serve as the presenting partner, reflecting its commitment to advancing the responsible use of AI. GRI, as a founding partner, will bring leading perspectives to the conversation, including Paul Christiano's insights.
The 2024 lecturer was Jacob Steinhardt, Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley and founder of Transluce, and the 2025 lecturer was Owain Evans, Director of Truthful AI. The lectures are open to the public, with both in-person and online access available. Tickets are now available at hintonlectures.com.
The AI Safety Foundation, which presents the Hinton Lectures, is dedicated to increasing awareness and scientific understanding of the catastrophic risks of AI. The organization aims to ensure a safer future for humanity through education and research. The lectures are a key part of this mission, bringing together leading voices from academia, industry, and public policy to explore the safe and ethical development of AI.
Manulife, headquartered in Toronto, operates in more than 45 countries and generates over $20 billion in annual revenue, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. The company trades as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
TELUS, a leading Canadian communications technology company, is also an evening sponsor of the lectures. TELUS is passionate about putting its customers and communities first, leading the way in client service excellence and social capitalism.
The Hinton Lectures are scheduled to take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, specifically at the John W. H. Bassett Theatre, and will be broadcast online. Tickets are available now at hintonlectures.com.