The Singularity Challenge

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Thank you to everyone who donated to the 2007 Singularity Challenge!

In the coming decades, humanity will likely create a powerful AI. SIAI exists to confront this urgent challenge, both the opportunity and the risk. We have created the infrastructure to expand our research, education, and outreach initiatives this year. Thanks to the generous support of our matching fund donors, including Peter Thiel, we are running The Singularity Challenge, which, if successful, will fund our research and outreach expansion.

$245,877 out of $400,000 as of August 6, 2007

Why Contribute to SIAI?

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What the Singularity Challenge Will Support

The following represents what a successful challenge grant will support ($800,000 in total funds):

SIAI Research Program – $280,000 (details)

Two Postdoctoral Fellows (FTE), Eliezer Yudkowsky (FTE), and Dr. Ben Goertzel (PTE).

SIAI Research Grant Program – $100,000 (details)

This will let us begin the grant program in collaboration with the Oxford Future of Humanity Institute.

SIAI Research Fellowship Fund – $100,000

So that we may create and grow a dedicated fund for the support of SIAI Research Fellows focused full-time on Friendly AI research, with the goal of building a fund to support-in-perpetuity six to 12 fellows.

The Singularity Summit 2007 – $50,000 (details)

This will underwrite the Singularity Summit 2007 budget.

SIAI Reserve Funding – $75,000

In order to better mitigate organizational risk and ensure long-term stability, SIAI needs to reach a point where we have at least one year's operating budget in reserve at any time. We are not there yet.

SIAI Educational Outreach, Donor Development, and Marketing – $195,000

This will underwrite a range of work critical to growing SIAI: our site, blog, newsletter, media, marketing, salon dinners, special events, foundation proposals, technical and popular publications, and more.

The ideas of a singularity scenario and Friendly AI are powerful, but more importantly, relevant now. I support the Singularity Institute because they are making unique contributions to these critical areas of knowledge. I have pledged $200,000 in matching funds to the challenge to help grow the Singularity Institute. I hope you will join me as a donor, and support this important nonprofit organization.

— Peter Thiel, SIAI Advisor, PayPal Founder & Former CEO

Double Your Contribution

The 2007 Singularity Challenge is now over, but you can still make a non-matching donation.

Note: The minimum contribution to join the SIAI Donor Network (see below) is $1,000 a year.

Contribute to the Singularity Institute

Credit card transactions are securely processed through PayPal (no PayPal account required). SIAI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your gift is tax deductible to the fullest extent possible in the US and Canada.

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Donor Giving Levels:

Visionary Circle – $250,000
Keystone Donors – $100,000
Founding Donors – $50,000
Community Donors – $25,000
Research Donors – $10,000
Associate Donors – $5,000
Sustaining Donors – $1,000

Benefits Include:

Donor recognition (Associate Donors and above are permanently recognized)
Creating a profile to interact and connect with other members in the network
In depth news and updates about the Singularity Institute
Singularity Summit at Stanford DVD and Keepsake Booklet
Complimentary ticket to the Summit '07 (excellent, reserved seating)
Invitation to SIAI Salon Dinners when they are held in your area
Hardcover edition of The Singularity Is Near signed by Ray Kurzweil

See who has joined the SIAI Donor Network

I have recently joined the SIAI Board of Directors, because the Singularity Institute is playing a critical role in advancing humanity's understanding of the profound promise and peril of strong AI. I hope you will consider contributing to the Institute. Your contribution will help us support the new research program, expand fundraising and outreach, and ensure a successful Singularity Summit 2007.

— Ray Kurzweil, SIAI Director

Other Ways to Contribute

Employer-Matching

Companies will often match their employee's charitable gifts — just check with your company's personnel office.

Gift of Stock

We welcome gifts of stock, bonds, or mutual funds that have appreciated in value. You will get a tax deduction for the full market value (deductible up to 30% of your adjusted gross income), and will avoid paying a capital gains tax on the appreciation. If interested in giving stock, please send an email to institute@singinst.org.

Wire Transfer

Email us for instructions to wire transfer your donation.

Donate by Mail

Send a check, payable to Singularity Institute, to:

SIAI Interview Series

Dr. Barney Pell

Powerset Founder & CEO, SIAI Advisor

Peter Thiel

Clarium Capital Founder, PayPal Co-Founder, SIAI Advisor

Christine Peterson

Foresight Nanotech Institute Co-Founder & VP, SIAI Advisor

Eliezer Yudkowsky

SIAI Co-Founder & Research Fellow

Dr. Aubrey de Grey

Methuselah Foundation Chairman & CSO, SIAI Advisor

Dr. Ben Goertzel

SIAI Director of Research