Academic center · Science policy · Cambridge, United Kingdom (University of Cambridge) · Est. 2016
The Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (LCFI/CFI) is an interdisciplinary research centre based at the University of Cambridge that studies the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence, with an emphasis on ensuring AI is broadly beneficial for society. The centre is structured around multiple research themes spanning philosophy, policy, and technical perspectives on AI—covering topics such as algorithmic transparency, the nature of intelligence, automated warfare, social AI and discrimination, and implications for democracy and geopolitics.
In institutional practice, CFI has increasingly operated through collaborations with and inside the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Technology and Humanity (ITH), which houses CFI alongside other related research centres. Strategically, CFI’s research output has been positioned to influence UK AI governance and institutional design. In a UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) impact case study, CFI is described as having played a significant role—among other organisations—in shaping the creation and early direction of the UK’s Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI), including by contributing to discussions around AI governance remit and policy questions.
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A new project tracking how Londoners are experiencing the arrival of self-driving taxis has been awarded funding through the HEIF Social Science Impact Fund for 2026-2027 within the University of Cambridge. The Citizens’ Autonomous Vehicle Observatory (CAVO), led by CFI Associate
CFI alumnus appointed to the Ministry of JusticeOur alumnus Harry Collins, who studied on the Master of Studies in AI Ethics and Society programme (2023 cohort), has been appointed to an advisory role at the Ministry of Justice. Harry was recently appointed as an independent expert advisor on responsible AI to the UK Governmen
Digital Ojar: Whose knowledge feeds the machine?A new project by Dr Maya Indira Ganesh, Associate Director and Co-director of the Narratives and Justice programme at CFI, asks what it means to be marginalised in the world of the AI. Digital Ojar is a digital representation of Quilt Ojar, a physical quilt made by the Arctic Ind
The Good Robot podcast celebrates 5 yearsA weekly podcast featuring academics, industry practitioners and activists, launched at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI), is celebrating five years. Dr Eleanor Drage and Dr Kerry McInerney launched the Good Robot podcast five years ago aiming to discuss
CFI members appointed to EU scientific panelA recently established AI Act Scientific Panel at the European Union (EU) appointed 60 independent experts, including a group of academics from the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI). Professor Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh, Assistant Research Professor Lorenzo Pacchiar
Digital Wellbeing Observatory at CFIToday marks the launch of a new research initiative at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI) with a philanthropic gift from Virgin Media O2. Digital technologies are part of everyday life, but there’s little evidence about how newer forms of AI affect our wel
Alumnus shortlisted for European journalism awardCFI alumnus Raphael Hernandes (MPhil 2023) has been nominated for the European Press Prize in the Innovation category for an investigation at the Guardian into far-right Facebook networks linked to the 2024 UK summer riots. The nominated work used generative AI to classify themes
Cambridge Commentary on EU General-Purpose AI LawToday marks the launch of the Cambridge Commentary on EU General-Purpose AI Law, the first scholarly commentary focused exclusively on the general-purpose AI model provisions of the EU AI Act. It is a collaboration between the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI
New methodology can predict whether AI will succeed on new tasksA new study led by the University of Cambridge just published in the Nature journal introduces a methodology that can predict how artificial intelligence (AI) models will perform on unfamiliar tasks, significantly advancing the current AI benchmarks. The study entitled General Sc
Cambridge Digital Minds launches at CFINew initiative – Cambridge Digital Minds – has launched at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI) to explore the societal, ethical, and governance implications of digital minds. As AI systems grow more advanced, researchers increasingly debate whether they cou
ITH reported the launch of the Digital Wellbeing Observatory at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, supported by a philanthropic gift from Virgin Media O2, with a multi-year plan to track wellbeing impacts of digital technologies and AI.
Results from SCORE project published (Nature special collection)The Institute for Technology and Humanity (ITH) reported that results from the SCORE project were published as a special collection in Nature, with an identified CFI-affiliated contributor described in the update.
Cambridge Digital Minds launched at CFIITH reported the launch of the Cambridge Digital Minds initiative at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence to explore societal, ethical, and governance implications of digital minds.
CFI appoints new Executive Director (Rachel Adams)ITH reported the appointment of Dr Rachel Adams as Research Professor and Executive Director at CFI, effective 8 January 2026, while Professor Stephen Cave serves as Academic Director/acts as co-Director of ITH.
New faculty at ITH (includes CFI-related recruitment)ITH reported on new faculty joining the institute and noted CFI welcomes new faculty members in the academic year.
Launch of ITHITH reported the institute launch that brought together three research centres including CFI.