Emails show 'Godfather of AGI' Ben Goertzel courted Epstein for funding and congratulated him on jail release (www.businessinsider.com)

Ben Goertzel, a prominent AI researcher often referred to as the "Godfather of AGI," has come under scrutiny after emails revealed his longstanding financial relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite knowing about Epstein's criminal history, Goertzel accepted funding for his artificial intelligence projects from Epstein dating back to 2001, amounting to at least $200,000. This correspondence continued until 2018, with Goertzel expressing regret for not conducting thorough due diligence on Epstein's past. In response to the fallout, he admitted to being "social-engineered" by Epstein and vowed to be more cautious in the future. The implications of this revelation extend beyond Goertzel's personal reputation, raising questions about the ethical considerations in funding AI research. Goertzel's work includes the development of projects like OpenCog and the humanoid robot Sophia, positioning him as a key player in the quest for artificial general intelligence. His correspondence with Epstein not only highlighted the financial challenges faced by researchers in the AI field but also underscored the broader impacts of ethical lapses in research funding—a critical discussion as the AI/ML community grapples with the responsibility of funding sources and the potential ramifications of association with controversial figures.