KU’s Institute for Information Sciences Joins International Association for Safe and Ethical AI as Affiliate

LAWRENCE – Faculty researchers at KU’s Institute for Information Sciences (I2S) recently announced their affiliation with the International Association for Safe and Ethical AI (IASEAI). The independent nonprofit organization was founded in 2024 to address the risks and opportunities associated with rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI).

The mission of I2S is to sustain and grow national leadership in the creation, dissemination and commercialization of new technologies in computer systems, communication systems and radar systems. Their research is comprised of six research centers, including the Center for Cyber-Social Dynamics (CCSD), which is focused on the interaction between internet technologies and society.

IASEAI (pronounced eye-see-eye) has a mission to ensure that AI systems operate safely and ethically, benefiting all of humanity. They connect experts from academia, policy groups, civil society, industry, and beyond to promote, shape policy, and build understanding around this goal.

According to their website, IASEAI “believes that AI can be beneficial, but current systems are being developed without appropriate safeguards. As these systems become more capable and more directly involved in critical social and economic functions, it is essential to provide assurances that they will operate safely and benefit humanity. Policy should be developed with input from experts and affected communities to encourage the creation of AI systems that can support such assurances.”

“We believe this affiliation will enhance our visibility within the international community, foster new collaborations for both faculty and students, and demonstrate that I2S and KU are firmly committed to advancing safe, secure, and ethical artificial intelligence and frontier technologies,” said David Tamez, assistant research professor and CCSD managing director.

IASEAI held their inaugural conference in February, attracting more than 700 in-person participants from 65 countries, and more than 1,400 attendees online. Conference highlights included substantive policy discussions, technical presentations from prominent AI safety and ethics researchers, and the emergence of many cross-disciplinary collaborations that continue to advance the organization’s mission. They will host their second conference in February 2026 in Paris, France.