AI and robotics experts unite at Princeton symposium

The intersection of robotics and artificial intelligence research is gaining momentum at Princeton University, where leading researchers are collaborating to address safety challenges in both fields.

Event Overview: Princeton University hosted the Symposium on Safe Deployment of Foundation Models in Robotics, bringing together faculty, students, and researchers to explore the convergence of AI and robotics safety.

• The event was organized by Anirudha Majumdar, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Sanjeev Arora, Director of Princeton Language and Intelligence
• The symposium focused on safety considerations as both fields rapidly evolve and intersect
• The intimate scale of the event was designed to facilitate direct connections and meaningful discussions among participants

Institutional Growth: Princeton has significantly expanded its commitment to both robotics and artificial intelligence research through multiple initiatives.

• The School of Engineering and Applied Science has enhanced its robotics research programs over the past decade
• The university launched two new AI initiatives in Fall 2024: AI for Accelerating Invention (AI^2) and Natural and Artificial Minds (NAM)
• These programs join Princeton Language and Intelligence (PLI), launched in 2023, as part of the Princeton Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence

Safety Evolution: The concept of safety in robotics has evolved significantly beyond simple collision prevention, particularly as AI integration becomes more prevalent.

• Foundation models (large AI systems trained on vast amounts of data) are pushing researchers to consider safety from broader perspectives
• Researchers are exploring how to create controllable and safe robotic systems that possess human-like intelligence
• The integration of foundation models and language models in robotics presents new security challenges that require innovative solutions

Expert Insights: Industry leaders shared their perspectives on the future of AI and robotics safety.

• Yann LeCun, Chief AI Scientist at Meta, emphasized the importance of developing systems with human-level intelligence and common sense capabilities
• Post-doctoral researcher Alex Robey presented research on anticipating and defending against potential malicious attacks on robotics systems
• Speakers included experts from Waymo, Toyota Research Institute, and other leading organizations in the field

Future Implications: The convergence of robotics and AI presents both opportunities and challenges that require continued collaboration and research focus.

• The safe deployment of AI-powered robots remains a critical concern, particularly for systems used in sensitive applications like law enforcement and military operations
• The symposium’s format demonstrates the value of smaller, focused gatherings in fostering meaningful collaboration
• Princeton plans to continue hosting similar events to maintain momentum in addressing these challenges