Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
This high-level dialogue brings together renowned scientists to examine the relationship between frontier artificial intelligence research, public responsibility and global governance in the digital era. The dialogue explores how foundational scientific advances in AI translate into policy choices, ethical frameworks and institutional responses, with particular attention to long-term societal impacts.
The conversation, which took place on 21 April as part of the 2026 Digital World Conference, features:
Geoffrey Hinton
Nobel Prize in Physics 2024. Known as the “Godfather of AI,” Professor Geoffrey Hinton is a pioneer in deep learning. He is a laureate of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics and the 2018 Turing Award. Currently an Emeritus Professor at the University of Toronto, he is a leading advocate for AI safety and responsible innovation.
Terrence J. Sejnowski
Francis Crick Professor, Salk Institute, Distingished Professor, UC San Diego. Professor Terrence J. Sejnowski is a pioneering figure in computational neuroscience and co-inventor of the Boltzmann machine alongside Geoffrey Hinton. He is a Professor at the Salk Institute and UCSD, and the President of the NeurIPS Foundation, playing a critical role in shaping the global AI research landscape.
Deng Li (Moderator)
Canadian Academy of Engineering/ Chief AI Officer and Global Head of Machine Learning at Vatic Investments. Recognized as a world’s leading expert in AI, machine learning, quantitative finance, and speech and language technology, Dr. Li Deng is the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at Vatic Investments. He was previously the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer and Head of Machine Learning at Citadel Hedge Fund. Prior to Citadel, he was the Chief Scientist of AI and Founder of the Deep Learning Technology Center at Microsoft Corporation for over 17 years, and a Professor at the University of Waterloo, Canada for 10 years.
Melan Xu (Presenter)
Melan Xu is the Executive Director of the World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA).
Ilcheong Yi (Presenter)
Ilcheong Yi is the Head of Partnerships and Senior Research Coordinator of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
For more information, visit unrisd.org/dwc
This high-level dialogue brings together renowned scientists to examine the relationship between frontier artificial intelligence research, public responsibility and global governance in the digital era. The dialogue explores how foundational scientific advances in AI translate into policy choices, ethical frameworks and institutional responses, with particular attention to long-term societal impacts.
The conversation, which took place on 21 April as part of the 2026 Digital World Conference, features:
Geoffrey Hinton
Nobel Prize in Physics 2024. Known as the “Godfather of AI,” Professor Geoffrey Hinton is a pioneer in deep learning. He is a laureate of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics and the 2018 Turing Award. Currently an Emeritus Professor at the University of Toronto, he is a leading advocate for AI safety and responsible innovation.
Terrence J. Sejnowski
Francis Crick Professor, Salk Institute, Distingished Professor, UC San Diego. Professor Terrence J. Sejnowski is a pioneering figure in computational neuroscience and co-inventor of the Boltzmann machine alongside Geoffrey Hinton. He is a Professor at the Salk Institute and UCSD, and the President of the NeurIPS Foundation, playing a critical role in shaping the global AI research landscape.
Deng Li (Moderator)
Canadian Academy of Engineering/ Chief AI Officer and Global Head of Machine Learning at Vatic Investments. Recognized as a world’s leading expert in AI, machine learning, quantitative finance, and speech and language technology, Dr. Li Deng is the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at Vatic Investments. He was previously the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer and Head of Machine Learning at Citadel Hedge Fund. Prior to Citadel, he was the Chief Scientist of AI and Founder of the Deep Learning Technology Center at Microsoft Corporation for over 17 years, and a Professor at the University of Waterloo, Canada for 10 years.
Melan Xu (Presenter)
Melan Xu is the Executive Director of the World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA).
Ilcheong Yi (Presenter)
Ilcheong Yi is the Head of Partnerships and Senior Research Coordinator of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
For more information, visit unrisd.org/dwc
