ETH AI Center hosts Anthropic researchers for discussion on frontier AI and safety research

The ETH AI Center welcomed Anthropic researchers for a session on frontier AI, safety, and academic–industry collaboration, attended by more than 150 members of its research community.

Photo credit: The ETH AI Center

The ETH AI Center took to LinkedIn to share details of a recent discussion held with researchers from Anthropic, including Dr. Neil Houlsby, Dr. Bobby He, and Dr. Sotiris Anagnostidis.

The center is one of the world’s largest AI research hubs, spanning 16 departments at ETH Zürich and bringing together more than 1,500 researchers across AI foundations, applications, and implications.

The university says the session examined how research groups remain at the frontier of AI, how safety is integrated into capability development, and where academic and industry groups can complement one another. The panel was moderated by doctoral researcher Frederike Lübeck and joined by Core Faculty member Professor Thomas Hofmann and researcher Dr. Imanol Schlag.

Key messages on frontier research and safety

The discussion emphasized that advancing frontier AI requires theoretical understanding alongside empirical progress. The center stated that “frontier AI needs theory, not only scale,” underscoring the importance of scientific principles that guide development over time.

They also highlighted that capability and safety research are now viewed as interdependent, not separate strands. Curiosity-driven investigation was also identified as a core research behavior, described through the line: “Pull on the thread of what you don’t understand.” The center noted the importance of academia in foundational science, critical thinking, and training the next generation of AI researchers.

The university says it introduced a Claude Credits program for its research community of more than 1,000 members, with access available through internal channels. The event drew around 150 attendees, including faculty, doctoral students, and visiting researchers.

The center also referenced its next Academic Talk Series session, scheduled for Thursday 27 November, focusing on machine unlearning under the title Machine Unlearning: New Settings and Algorithms. The talk is part of the ETH AI Center Academic Talk Series (AICATS), which the center describes as an in-person forum for research exchange.

The university concluded by saying: “Strengthening the bridge between ETH Zürich and leading AI research labs is key to advancing safe, capable, and scientifically grounded AI.”

The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026

The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.

Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.

Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.