Frequently Asked Questions

An unconference is much like a normal conference, but most of the agenda isn't set in advance. Attendees pitch sessions they want to run or want to have someone run, everyone votes on what they'd like to go to, and then someone (in this case us, the organisers) does some constrained optimisation to build a program.

What this means for you: start thinking about what you might like to run, what you'd like to see others run, and how you might make the most of the chance to connect with others in the community.

AISUM is for people already working on or seriously engaged with AI safety. We're aiming for a day where you can get into the weeds on the topics that matter, which might span deep learning, alignment, governance, philosophy, ethics, law, and more. We expect there'll be little '101' content: it'll be all 201+.

If you'd like to get started in AI safety, we'd suggest some of the following resources, and we'd be excited to see you at future events!

• BlueDot Impact: structured AI safety courses, a great place to start
• 80,000 Hours: career guides and intro content on AI safety
• AISafety.com: an index of even more resources
• AI Safety Australia & New Zealand: events and groups near you

The process works like this:

1. You fill out a short application form
2. We review applications and send out acceptances on a rolling basis
3. If accepted, you'll receive an email with a link to register and buy your ticket

We know this might feel unusual if you're more familiar with open-registration conferences! With limited space and significant interest, we unfortunately can't accommodate everyone we'd like. Rather than making it first-come-first-served, we use applications to thoughtfully curate the conversations. This helps us:

• Create better outcomes for each attendee individually and as a whole
• Get the right mix of perspectives and backgrounds
• Make the day count

We recognise this means some or even many people in our community won't be able to attend, which is genuinely difficult. We don't think this should be interpreted as a comment on any individual! We hope to see and provide more opportunities for more people.

There's a ticket cost, which only partly recoups venue and catering costs.

Prices depend on sponsorship and donations, so we confirm them when registration opens. There are always options to pay less for those who need the support, and to pay more for those who want to contribute.

AISUM is a full-day, in-person event in Melbourne, Australia. The current date is on the home page, and we share venue details with attendees ahead of the day.

Email the organisers at michael.kerrison@aisafetyanz.com.au. You can also read our privacy statement.