Jeff Clune

Jeff Clune is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, and a Canada CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute. He also serves as a Senior Research Advisor at DeepMind. His work focuses on advancing artificial intelligence through evolutionary computation, neuroevolution, and open-ended systems. Clune's research explores topics such as continual learning, generative models (e.g., Genie), and automated scientific discovery. He is known for developing algorithms like Go-Explore and pioneering methods in neuroevolution to create robust and adaptable AI systems.

His academic affiliations include the UBC Faculty of Science and collaborations with industry leaders like DeepMind. Clune teaches courses on machine learning and data mining, emphasizing practical applications and theoretical foundations. His awards include the SIGEVO Impact Award and recognition for outstanding publications in AI research. Notable projects include the development of the Go-Explore algorithm and contributions to AI safety and ethical frameworks. Clune's work bridges biological inspiration with machine learning, aiming to create systems that evolve and learn like natural organisms.

Research interests span AI safety, generative AI, robotics, and scalable learning algorithms. He has published extensively on topics like neural network dynamics, open-endedness, and automated experimentation. Current projects include enhancing AI's ability to self-improve and exploring ethical implications of advanced AI systems.