The lecture series, co-founded by Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, convenes at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from November 9–11, 2026. Christiano brings extensive expertise to the stage, drawing on his roles as Senior Technical Advisor at NIST's Center for AI Standards and Innovation and his service on the OpenAI Safety and Security Committee. His work centers on the technical challenges of aligning machine learning systems with human intent, a critical focus as global discussions shift from system capability to responsible deployment.
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Paul Christiano Named 2026 Lecturer for The Hinton Lectures in Toronto
Paul Christiano, a foundational figure in reinforcement learning and executive director of the Alignment Research Center, will headline the third annual Hinton Lectures this November. The three-night event in Toronto serves as the centerpiece for the inaugural AI Safety Week, focusing on the governance and ethical trajectory of machine learning.
A distinguished nominating committee—including Hinton, Beth Barnes of METR, Roger Grosse of the University of Toronto, and Google DeepMind’s Shane Legg—selected Christiano to follow previous speakers Jacob Steinhardt and Owain Evans. Canadian futurist Sínead Bovell will moderate the sessions, which aim to bridge the gap between complex technical research and public understanding. Supported by partners including Manulife, the Global Risk Institute, and TELUS, the forum remains open to the public both in-person and via livestream.
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