Everything You Should Know About Gladstone AI Know everything about Gladstone AI - from the origin story to where they are now and the action plan.

The Genesis of Gladstone AI

In the realm of artificial intelligence, the inception of Gladstone AI stands as a pivotal moment. As tech enthusiasts, you and I should know more about Gladstone AI. I’m eager to dive into all things Gladstone. From who the founders are, what is their vision and why did they start this company.

Gladstone’s journey began with a shared vision between brothers Jeremie Harris and Edouard Harris. With deep roots in AI research and development, they embarked on a mission to create advanced AI systems that could address critical global challenges while prioritizing safety and ethics.

Gladstone is led by Jeremie Harris (CEO) and Edouard Harris (CTO), who bring unique expertise at the intersection of technology and national security policy. They have co-founded multiple startups, worked with leading AI labs, and advised high-level officials across the U.S., U.K., and Canadian governments. Jeremie is a national security expert, bestselling author, podcaster, and creator of a leading AI course, while Edouard is an AI safety researcher and software engineer.

Mark Beall, a founder and current AI policy advocate, is the former head of AI policy at the Pentagon.

The Early Days

The early days of Gladstone AI were marked by intensive research and collaboration with various AI labs and researchers. The brothers drew inspiration from the groundbreaking work of OpenAI and other leading institutions like Google DeepMind and Anthropic. Their initial focus was on developing robust AI models, also known as AGI models, that could perform complex tasks with high accuracy.

This was around the time when ChatGPT, a significant advancement by OpenAI, was making waves in the AI community.

You can watch them talk more about their work on the Joe Rogan podcast

Defining The Mission

Understanding the potential and risks associated with advanced AI systems, the Harris brothers decided that their mission would go beyond mere technological innovation. They aimed to create AI that not only pushed the boundaries of what was possible but also incorporated rigorous safeguards to mitigate national security risks and other catastrophic risks.

This commitment to AI safety became a cornerstone of Gladstone AI’s philosophy.

Since establishing Gladstone AI in 2022, the company has led efforts in educating and advising top U.S. government officials on AI opportunities and risks. Gladstone AI has supported the U.S. government’s understanding of advanced AI and AGI, training hundreds of Department of Defense staff, including senior executives and military leaders.

Their work includes developing unique LLM infrastructure for government use, briefing multiple Cabinet officials in the U.S. and allied nations, and collaborating with leading contingency planners to create national security safeguards for advanced AI risks.

The Founding Principles

Gladstone AI’s mission is to ensure the responsible development and use of AI by safeguarding against AI-driven national security threats like weaponization and loss of control. Gladstone aids organizations in making informed decisions on AI policy, strategy, procurement, and risk management. As a for-profit entity without institutional investors or special interest ties, Gladstone maintains the integrity of their policy advice, aligning our interests with those of the U.S. government clients.

Gladstone was founded following the release of GPT-3 in 2020, recognizing the potential risks from powerful AI systems and the need for government involvement. Aware of communication gaps between tech and government, Gladstone aims to facilitate U.S. government understanding of advanced AI and ensure sufficient safeguards are in place to prevent catastrophic outcomes from dual-use AI technologies.

Gladstone AI’s Services

Gladstone AI advances its mission through three main efforts:

1. AI Foundations Course: Educating public and private sector leaders on AI’s applications, benefits, and risks, with insights that famously predicted ChatGPT.
2. AI Observatory: Providing software infrastructure for rapid prototyping, testing, and evaluation of LLM-powered applications within the Pentagon.
3. AI Policy Support: Collaborating with U.S. government agencies to develop national security safeguards for advanced AI.

Collaboration and Policy Advocacy

One of the key aspects of the growth involved working closely with policymakers and stakeholders to shape AI policy. Jeremie and Edouard engaged with the US government, including the Department of State and Congress, to discuss the implications of advanced AI capabilities and the necessary regulations to ensure their safe deployment.

Their collaboration extended to international forums, where we contributed to discussions on AI risk management and the security of advanced AI systems.

The Role of AI in National Security

A significant area of our research focused on the intersection of AI and national security. We recognized that advanced AI systems could pose unique threats, including the potential misuse in the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This concern was particularly relevant given the geopolitical tensions involving countries like Ukraine and Russia.

To address these risks, they developed comprehensive action plans and protocols to prevent the malicious use of AI.

The Intersection of AI

Gladstone AI’s mission intersects with various companies through collaboration, inspiration, and ethical oversight, ensuring responsible AI advancement and deployment.

1. Gladstone AI and Frontier Labs: Gladstone AI collaborates with various AI research institutions and labs, including Frontier Labs. This collaboration helps in advancing AI research, ensuring safety protocols, and fostering innovation in AI technologies.
2. Gladstone AI and GPT-3: Gladstone AI draws inspiration from models like GPT-3 developed by OpenAI. These models represent significant advancements in natural language processing, which inform Gladstone AI’s own AI development efforts to create sophisticated and secure AI systems.
3. Gladstone AI and Meta: Gladstone AI is aware of the role major tech companies like Meta play in AI development and social media algorithms. Gladstone AI focuses on ensuring these technologies are used ethically and safely, often addressing issues like misinformation and content moderation.

Breakthroughs and Innovations

Gladstone AI’s journey was punctuated by numerous breakthroughs. From developing algorithms that set new benchmarks in performance and reliability to practical applications that could benefit society.

For instance, they worked on enhancing social media algorithms to prevent the spread of misinformation and to improve content moderation, addressing the broader societal impact of AI.

AI Safety and Ethical Considerations

A critical aspect of our work at Gladstone AI has always been the emphasis on AI safety. We were acutely aware of the potential for AI to become an extinction-level threat if not properly managed. Therefore, we invested heavily in research on AI safety measures and worked with AI researchers globally to develop frameworks that could ensure the responsible use of AI technologies.

Gladstone recognizes the potential misuse of AI in conflicts, particularly in relation to weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) – most recently the Russian and Ukrainian war. Gladstone AI’s action plan includes measures to prevent the weaponization of AI and ensure that these technologies are used responsibly, addressing security concerns that could arise from tensions involving countries like Russia and Ukraine.

The Action Plan

The Gladstone AI Action Plan, developed over thirteen months, addresses catastrophic risks from advanced AI. It includes five key lines of effort:

1. Establish interim safeguards.
2. Strengthen capability and capacity.
3. Support AI safety research.
4. Formalize safeguards in law.
5. Internationalize AI safeguards.

These efforts aim to mitigate weaponization risks and loss of control over AI systems, promote responsible AI development, and establish regulatory and international frameworks to ensure AI safety and security.

Gladstone Connects with Leaders in Government and Private Sectors

Gladstone AI has engaged with various government departments and political leaders to discuss AI policy, safety, and security. These include:

1. US Department of State: Discussing international AI regulations and safety protocols.
2. Congress: Engaging with lawmakers to shape AI-related legislation and address national security risks.
3. Other US Government Agencies: Collaborating on the safe development and deployment of AI technologies.

In the Private Sector

Gladstone AI has interacted with several private companies and their leaders to discuss AI safety, development, and policy. Some of these companies include:

1. OpenAI: Collaboration on AI safety research and development.
2. Google DeepMind: Engaging in discussions about AI advancements and ethical considerations.
3. Meta: Addressing issues related to social media algorithms and misinformation.
4. Anthropic: Sharing insights on responsible AI development.

The Future of Gladstone AI

As Gladstone AI looks to the future, they are commited to advancing AI capabilities while prioritizing safety remains unwavering. They continue to collaborate with leading AI labs, policymakers, and other stakeholders to ensure that AI development progresses in a manner that benefits humanity. Their podcast series, which features discussions with experts across various fields, serves as a platform to disseminate knowledge and foster dialogue on critical AI issues.

Impact on Future AI and Legacy

Today, Gladstone AI stands as a testament to what can be achieved when innovation is coupled with a strong ethical foundation. The Harris brothers’ work has not only pushed the boundaries of what AI can do but has also set standards for how AI should be developed and deployed.

As co-founders, Jeremie Harris, they are proud of the impact they’ve made and remain dedicated to guiding the future of AI towards a path that is safe, ethical, and beneficial for all.

In summary, Gladstone AI’s story is one of pioneering spirit, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to AI safety. We have navigated the complexities of AI development, addressed national security risks, and contributed to shaping policies that safeguard the future.

As AI blazes its trail, it is vital that there are champions waving the red flags and calling attention to major issues.