We build the next generation of Canadians working on AI safety.

AI systems are becoming increasingly powerful.
We think it's worth taking that seriously.

Our Mission

We are an organization that brings together individuals from all backgrounds and disciplines to understand, discuss, and contribute to one of the most consequential challenges of our time. To make artificial intelligence human-aligned and beneficial, we prioritize exploring the risks of advanced AI systems and developing solutions for what can be done.

Join the uOttawa club → Join the mailing list →

What We Work On

  • Technical Research Alignment, interpretability, robustness, and evaluation of AI systems. ▸
    Work in this area includes reading and discussing papers on mechanistic interpretability, scalable oversight, and evaluation methods. Members interested in research can connect with uOttawa faculty and apply to programs like MATS or ARENA.
  • Governance & Policy Shaping the frameworks, institutions, and policies that govern how AI is built and deployed. ▸
    We examine how governments, labs, and international bodies are responding to advanced AI, from compute governance and liability frameworks to concrete policy proposals, with a focus on how Canada can play a meaningful role in shaping responsible AI development.

Events

Reading groups, speaker talks, workshops, and more.

Upcoming

No upcoming events are scheduled yet. Join the mailing list below to be notified when new events are posted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about getting involved.

Membership
Who is the Ottawa AI Safety Initiative for? +

We are both a club at uOttawa and an organization; while only students at uOttawa can join as members, our events are open to the public.

How do I join as a uOttawa club member? +

Fill out the Google Form linked throughout the site. We'll reach out with next steps.

Are there any prerequisites? +

No prerequisites. If you're curious and willing to engage seriously with the material, you're welcome.

How much time is required? +

Most uOttawa club members attend monthly events, while more active participants help organize and work on projects. There's no minimum commitment.

What language are events held in? +

Events are primarily in English, though we try to accommodate French-speaking members where feasible.

Careers & Opportunities
What career paths exist in AI safety? +

The field includes roles such as research scientist at AI labs, policy analyst, academic researcher, governance consultant, and foundation program officer, among others.