The Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI) is an interdisciplinary research centre within the University of Cambridge that studies artificial intelligence. It is funded by the Leverhulme Trust)Skip. As of 2026, the centre is led by executive director Rachel Adams, with Stephen Cave serving as academic director.
The Centre brings together academics from the fields of computer science, philosophy, social science and others. It operates as a hub for collaborative inquiry into the long-term implications of AI, focusing on both opportunities and potential harms. The centre works with the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and the University of California, Berkeley and has a memorandum of understanding with the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University.
Research Focus
The CFI examines the development and deployment of Artificial intelligence systems, with particular attention to existential risks, ethical frameworks, and governance structures. Its research draws on Machine learning and Deep learning advances, including Neural network architectures and Large language model systems, to assess their societal consequences. The centre's agenda spans near-term concerns such as algorithmic bias and long-term questions about the future of intelligence, whether human, artificial, or other forms.
Programmes
The CFI research is structured in a series of programmes and research exercises. The topics of the programmes range from algorithmic transparency to exploring the implications of AI for democracy. Key programme areas include:
- AI: Futures and Responsibility
- AI: Trust and Society
- Kinds of Intelligence
- AI: Narrative and Justice
- Philosophy and Ethics of AI
These programmes involve scholars from philosophy, computer science, social sciences, psychology, and law, fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue. The centre also engages with policy makers and industry practitioners to translate academic insights into actionable guidance.
Initiatives
In July 2019, Leverhulme released the Animal-AI Olympics competition, featuring tests ordinarily used to test animal intelligence. This initiative was designed to assess the cognitive capabilities of AI systems by benchmarking them against animal cognition tasks, drawing on comparative psychology and ethology. The competition highlighted questions about the nature of intelligence and the evaluation of AI performance beyond human-centric metrics.
Collaborations and Impact
The centre's partnerships extend across the UK and internationally. Its collaboration with the Oxford Martin School at University of Oxford and Imperial College London enables joint research projects and shared resources. The memorandum of understanding with the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University facilitates exchanges on AI governance in the Asia-Pacific region. Through these networks, CFI contributes to global discussions on AI safety and responsible innovation.
Related Centres
The CFI is part of a broader ecosystem of institutions addressing AI risks. It maintains formal and informal ties with the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, also at Cambridge, which focuses on catastrophic risks from technology. Other related bodies include the Future of Humanity Institute, the Future of Life Institute, and the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, all of which engage with similar questions about AI's long-term trajectory.