Meetup / AI forecasting

AI 2040 & Its Critics — Chicago AI Safety August Coffee Meetup

A Chicago coffee meetup on the AI Futures Project’s AI 2040 scenario and Richard Ngo’s critique, Selective Optimism.

Friday 28 August 2026Noon–1 p.m. CDTChicago, IllinoisCoffee meetup

About the conversation

The meetup paired AI 2040, a scenario by Daniel Kokotajlo and the AI Futures Project, with Richard Ngo’s critique, Selective Optimism. The event brief invited readers to distinguish forecasts from prescriptions, examine assumptions about U.S.–China competition, and ask what model benchmarks tell us about AI’s impact outside the lab.

Event readings

View original event listing

Back to all events

Get involved

Support the
Institute.

The institute is taking shape in Chicago. Tell us how you’d like to contribute to its research or bring its work to a wider audience.

Express interest

Ways to contribute

Funding & introductions: Discuss research funding or introduce us to a prospective supporter.
Research partnerships: Connect a university or research group with the institute’s proposed programs.
Convenings & communications: Host a discussion or help bring research findings to public audiences.
Volunteer expertise: Offer your time or skills in technical research, public policy or operations.

Contact us

Have a question about the institute or one of our events? Send a general inquiry.