Cambridge AI Research Directions (CAIRD) Workshop

In partnership with the Cambridge Boston Alignment Initiative (CBAI), FAR.AI will co-host the Cambridge AI Research Directions (CAIRD) Workshop on September 28, 2026. This invite-only workshop will bring together academic researchers, AI safety experts, faculty, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and advanced early-career scholars from institutions including Harvard, MIT, and other leading universities to explore promising research directions in AI safety and alignment.

While the workshop is invite-only, interested participants may apply to attend. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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For additional information about the workshop, please email CAIRD-workshop@far.ai.

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As interest in AI safety continues to grow within mainstream academia, CAIRD is designed to help researchers identify high-impact research opportunities, connect with leading experts in the field, and build stronger pathways into the AI safety research community. By convening participants from AI safety and adjacent disciplines, the workshop aims to shape research agendas, foster new collaborations, and strengthen the Cambridge ecosystem as a hub for AI safety research.

Workshop content will feature a mix of research presentations, panel discussions, small-group breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and structured discussions focused on emerging research questions and collaboration.

Our main objectives are:

Research Agenda Development

Expose high-potential researchers to concrete, impactful AI safety and alignment research directions, helping participants identify important open problems and opportunities for meaningful contribution.

Knowledge Sharing

Connect faculty, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and AI safety experts to facilitate knowledge exchange, introduce established research agendas, and improve understanding of the current research landscape.

Collaboration & Network Building

Strengthen connections between AI safety researchers and adjacent academic communities—including computer science, economics, political science, and governance—to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and longer-term research partnerships.

Talent Pipeline Development

Support the growth of the Cambridge AI safety ecosystem by increasing engagement from mainstream academic researchers, strengthening pathways into the field, and creating a durable pipeline for future AI safety talent.

Long-Term Community Building

Establish a recurring forum that identifies promising research opportunities, seeds follow-on collaborations, and integrates new researchers into the broader AI safety community.

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