Toronto AI safety startup Trajectory Labs launches

Trajectory Labs launches in Toronto to accelerate local AI safety initiatives through workspace, events, and community building. This nonprofit, funded by Open Philanthropy and operational since January 2025, aims to tap into Toronto’s potential to contribute meaningfully to AI safety. By creating a physical hub for collaboration and knowledge sharing, Trajectory Labs is addressing the practical needs of the growing AI safety community in a tech-forward Canadian city, offering an important model for how local ecosystems can organize to tackle global AI challenges.

The big picture: Trajectory Labs has established a nonprofit AI safety hub in downtown Toronto with funding from Open Philanthropy to nurture local talent and research capabilities.

• The organization has been fully operational since January 1st, 2025, with a mission to “catalyze Toronto’s role in steering AI progress toward a future of human flourishing.”
• The initiative reflects a belief that Toronto has “outsized untapped potential” to contribute to AI safety that can be realized through dedicated community building.

Key programs: Trajectory Labs offers three core initiatives designed to strengthen Toronto’s AI safety ecosystem.

• The Workspace program provides a fully-furnished coworking space with 24/7 access for approximately 30 AI safety practitioners, including twice-weekly community lunches.
• Their Events program hosts multiple gatherings each week, ranging from casual meetups to formal presentations and weekend hackathons.
• A Peer Network cultivates mentorship and collaboration opportunities to enhance individual work and strengthen Toronto’s collective capacity to address AI challenges.

Community composition: The membership spans diverse backgrounds unified by interest in AI safety work.

• The organization is managed by Executive Director Mario Gibney and Operations Generalist Juliana Eberschlag.
• Members include full-time AI safety practitioners (mostly independent or remote workers), university students from undergraduate to graduate levels, professionals in career transition, and volunteers working on mission-aligned projects.

Why this matters: Trajectory Labs represents a growing trend of localized, physical infrastructure development for AI safety research outside traditional academic or corporate environments.

• By providing free membership to qualified applicants, the initiative removes financial barriers to participation in AI safety work.
• The model demonstrates how dedicated community spaces can potentially accelerate progress in addressing complex technological challenges through collaboration.

Getting involved: Toronto-based or visiting individuals interested in AI safety can engage with Trajectory Labs through multiple channels.

• The organization maintains event listings on their website and Luma calendar for those wanting to attend gatherings.
• Potential members or visitors can apply for access through formal application processes.
• Additional inquiries can be directed to [email protected].