Research areas supported by Certes Institute and its hosted researchers.
Certes exists to accelerate Australia's contribution to AI safety research and the understanding and mitigation of catastrophic and existential risks. Emergent technologies — particularly artificial intelligence and advanced biotechnology — present risks that demand urgent, dedicated institutional infrastructure. Australia currently lacks this infrastructure, and Certes is being built to fill that gap.
Our detailed research priorities are being developed in consultation with our team and research partners as we complete our establishment phase. We expect to publish a full research agenda in the coming months.
Establishment timeline and research milestones
Finalise charitable registration and board appointments
Outreach to strategic partners across Australian AI safety ecosystem
Funding conversations with Australian philanthropists
Grant housing agreements with first partners
First researcher cohort identified and onboarded
Research retreat in Tasmania (contingent on funding)
Initial consultant deployments to government and allied bodies
Training partnerships formalised
Government consultations deepened
Permanent hosting capacity progress
All timelines subject to funding outcomes and regulatory dependencies. See our Transparency page for current status.
Certes is infrastructure, not a research methodology. The researchers we host bring their own expertise and approaches. What we provide is the operational environment that lets them do their best work:
All research published through Certes will be as open as we can make it, and open access by default. Some projects and engagements will be confidential in nature. Noting this, we are committed to transparency in our operations and welcome scrutiny of our work and governance.