Origins

Origins ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY June 2, 2017 To Whom It May Concern Re: Ms. Dear Sir or Madam: College of Liberal Arts and PO Box 871902 Sciences Tempe. AZ 85287-1902 (480) 965-0053 Fax: (480) 965-0090 oriains.asu.edu Lawrence M. Krauss Foundation Professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration and Physics Dept. Co-Director, Cosmology Initiative www.kraussfaculty.asu.edu [email protected] 4430-96S-69713 I am writing this letter in my capacity as Foundation Professor in the Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration, and Physics Department, and Founder and Director of ASU's Origins Project, and it is a pleasure to write on behalf of The Origins Project at ASU is a transdisciplinary initiative that nurtures research, energizes teaching and public understanding, and builds partnerships. We foster research at ASU and abroad, while in the process bringing together distinguished scholars and generating relationships that explore foundational questions facing humankind today. Much of the most exciting research being done around the world today involves exploring questions of origins. The Origins Project at ASU also raises the profile of origins-related issues and broadens scientific literacy through curricular initiatives and public discussions. Our efforts facilitate the creation of knowledge, improvement of education, and raising public awareness on key issues with the ultimate goals of helping address pressing global problems, improving the quality of life, and informing the development of sound public policy. The Origins Project links scholarship and expertise from across the academic and scientific spectrum. Since its inception in 2009 the Origins Project quickly established a reputation for excellence in offering a unique research and public presence through academic workshops, lectures, Great Debates and Dialogues to explore fundamental questions, such as: what are the origins of the universe, life, consciousness, culture, and human existence? Origins-related questions resonate across all disciplines and among the public because they directly confront the mysteries associated with our existence, our past, and our future. The Origins Project explores these vital questions by hosting international scientific workshops and public events where we convene the world's top researchers to examine promising research areas and explore new interdisciplinary collaborations. EFTA00314893 Page 2 Origins workshops over the years have already addressed topics such the origin of life, human uniqueness, gravity, xenophobia, violence, and climate change. Associated with the workshops we have had public discussions of these issues and on issues related to science and modern culture, hosting dialogues, debates, films, music and dance events. Events to date have included hundreds of the world's most renowned scientists, intellectuals, and writers including Steven Hawking, Richard Dawkins, Freeman Dyson, Noam Chomsky, Steven Pinker, Wendy Freedman, Craig Venter, Ian McEwan, Neal Stephenson, Svante Paabo, Werner Herzog, and Cormac McCarthy, as well as Nobel Laureates including Steven Weinberg, David Gross, Frank Wilczek, Sidney Altman, Lee Hartwell, Sheldon Glashow, Baruch Blumberg, Adam Reiss, Brian Schmidt, and John Mather. I got to know Ms. through her work with the Enhanced Education Foundation, which has been instrumental to our success. We have secured a very generous donation from the Foundation has allowed us to embark on an incredibly important new program to award a prize to the outstanding postdoctoral researcher from all fields, from throughout the world, and bring that individual each year to ASU to present a series of lectures. Fortunately for us, Ms. assistance did not end there. This year, the foundation very helpful in funding our major annual event, The Great Debate: The Future of Artificial Intelligence - Who's in Control?". The Origins Project Great Debates are our signature events. They present several viewpoints on a theme of importance to the public where guests are moderated by me, in an exciting public discussion to share and explore what they are learning about our origins. Out last Great Debate took place last February at the ASU campus with funding from Tesla Inc. co-founder Elon Musk and Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn. Officially dubbed "Envisioning and Addressing Adverse Al Outcomes," it included 40 scientists, cyber-security experts and policy gurus, where we pondered the outcomes of the risks of Artificial Intelligence, playing out Al-gone-very-wrong scenarios, ranging from stock-market manipulation to global warfare. Ms. participated in the conference on behalf of Enhanced Education Foundation, representing it. Thanks to their support, our Great Debate was very diverse and included some of the world's leading minds on Artificial Intelligence. The participants included Jann Talinn, the Skype co- founder, Eric Horvitz, managing director of Microsoft Research's main Redmond Lab, and, though not physically able to attend, contributions from Elon Musk, the Tesla founder, and one of the most important technology leaders of our time. Our Great Debate on Al, was one of the most successful and impactful Great Debates we have had, and, Ms. contributions through Enhanced Education in supporting this event were much appreciated. We are looking forward to our continued work with Ms. and Enhanced Education. Ms. also told me that she launched the Education Advance Foundation, dedicated to promoting and fostering STEM education in the United States and assisting disadvantaged students interested in STEM fields with standardized test preparation. This, in my opinion, is a very crucial EFTA00314894 Page s mission: I am a champion and long-term supporter of STEM education, for the future of our children here in the US and throughout the world. Therefore, I filly support Ms. efforts and mission, and, I firmly believe, given her past-track record she has a very good chance of success. Sincerely, Lawrence M. Krauss, Director EFTA00314895