Torchbearer Community launched in 2025 when a small, passionate, diverse group of people answered the call from Connor Leahy and Gabriel Alfour to form a global citizen-driven organization — initially focused on advocating for legislation to address existential risks from advanced AI.
Connor and Gabe have published papers on AI existential risk, supported AI safety initiatives, and presented technical concerns to industry and political leaders across the globe. But they saw a critical gap: legislators and policymakers need to hear from everyday citizens, not just technical experts. AI risks affect everyone, and we all have a stake in ensuring AI's development serves humanity.
TBC represents the starting point of this work, with plans to expand to other urgent issues in the future.
II — Founders
Two people who took action.
UK
Co-Founder · 01
Connor Leahy
Co-Founder · Torchbearer Community & Torchbearer Project
CEO of AI start-up Conjecture, working on the problems of AI control. A leading voice on AI risk mitigation and a participant in the first AI Safety Summit. Frequent commentator on CNN, BBC, and more. Previously co-founded EleutherAI, the open-source research collective behind GPT-NeoX 20B and GPT-J.
“
I founded TBC because I knew there were many good people across the globe, from all kinds of different backgrounds, that wanted to work together towards a better, humanist future, but there was no place for them to come together to do good work. So, I set out to create that place.
France & UK
Co-Founder · 02
Gabriel Alfour
Co-Founder · Torchbearer Community & Torchbearer Project
Founder of several companies with a background in theoretical computer science, and long interested in understanding and tackling the fundamental challenges of advancing technological progress. Fresh out of university, he developed a new programming language, then co-founded Conjecture with Connor and helped Andrea found ControlAI.
“
I wanted a community of people working to do good in line with my humanist values. I couldn't find any, so I decided to see if people would want to join one.
III — Core Members
Educators, attorneys, engineers, people.
Thirteen core members across five countries — all volunteers.
USAUKGermanyAustraliaColombiaFrance
Meet our members
“Public understanding creates the political pressure necessary for meaningful action. That's what Torchbearer is about - bringing people together to stay informed, raise awareness, and ensure everyday citizens have a real voice in shaping AI's future.”
Alon is an AI safety educator and advocate based in Seattle. After eight years as an engineer at Google, he turned his focus to helping the public understand and engage with the rapid pace of AI development. He runs public AI safety workshops, writes about AI risks on his Substack, Target Curve, and is involved in grassroots advocacy efforts to push for meaningful AI governance.
Andrea is the founder and CEO of ControlAI, a non-profit dedicated to mitigating risks from powerful AI systems. Under his leadership, ControlAI has briefed over 200 lawmakers on AI risks and secured support from over 100 UK parliamentarians. His work has been featured in TIME, The Guardian, Nature, and BBC.
“I joined TBC to connect with people who are driven by purpose, not prestige — those building things that matter and challenging how change happens.”
Ben Balde is a German entrepreneur, AI consultant, and community builder passionate about civic innovation and digital transformation. As founder of GeoMesh, a startup modernizing public sector software, and an active participant in political lobbying efforts, he bridges technology, policy, and creativity to drive meaningful change.
“I joined TBC to work with a community that tries to approach AI risk with wisdom, humanistic values, and courage. To grow as a person and do real work toward a beautiful future.”
Benjamin is a PhD student in Bioinformatics at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg with a Master in Computer Science and Co-lead of PauseAI Germany.
“I joined TBC out of concern for the impact of existing AI development on our social and economic structures.”
Bisesh is a Research Assistant at the University of New South Wales and serves as the Editor for Issue 48(4) of the UNSW Law Journal, themed 'Artificial Intelligence and the Law'.
“I joined TBC because this group is treating the threat from AI with the seriousness that it deserves and has a credible strategy to help the young people I teach avoid this threat.”
David is an Australian maths teacher and director of mathematics in a public school for year 11s and 12s. He is grateful to be living in the future and wants his students to get to live there, too.
“I joined because we can't wait one more minute; we need AI regulation now.”
Attorney working at the intersection of AI & the law.
“I joined TBC because unaccountable tech companies shouldn't be able to put humanity at risk from creations we didn't consent to and they can't control.”
Kathleen is a marketing copywriter in the tech industry. She's been helping raise awareness about AI risk since 2023.
“I joined Torchbearer because, as a father, I could not stand by while our ability to build powerful AI outpaced our wisdom to understand and control it. It is a privilege to contribute my technical background to this focused community of diverse and brilliant people as we work to secure a safe future for the next generation.”
AI safety scout and advocate with a background in computer science and engineering.
“So many of the problems we face are caused by a lack of coordination, and the threat of superintelligence is no different. I joined Torchbearer as it offers the hope of coordinating around core humanist values to tackle these problems.”
Luke McNally is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, where he researches AI safety and develops AI applications to enhance student learning. Luke has also worked as a Resident Data Scientist at Nesta, where he developed prototypes of an AI powered evidence synthesis system for policy research.
“We now have the means to build a better world; we need humility and cooperation.”
Mateo is a self-taught developer and cognitive-behavioral technician who believes AI should benefit everyone. He wants to help build better economic, governance, and educational systems to address the polycrisis — many global problems come from poor coordination, misaligned incentives, and excessive individualism. He values epistemic humility, collaboration, and learning from others.
“I joined TBC to take action to address the existential risk posed by artificial superintelligence.”
Michael lives in Austin Texas, where he is launching a marketing company. Michael enjoys listening to audiobooks and playing video games.
“A handful of companies are reshaping how we work and live, and it shouldn't be their call alone. I joined TBC because it offers a plan to coordinate around shared humanist values and tackle those threats.”
Nicole is an art director working at the intersection of design and technology, with a path through computer science and UI/UX before specializing in art direction. She designed this website.
Alon
AI safety educator and advocate · USA
“Public understanding creates the political pressure necessary for meaningful action. That's what Torchbearer is about - bringing people together to stay informed, raise awareness, and ensure everyday citizens have a real voice in shaping AI's future.”
Alon is an AI safety educator and advocate based in Seattle. After eight years as an engineer at Google, he turned his focus to helping the public understand and engage with the rapid pace of AI development. He runs public AI safety workshops, writes about AI risks on his Substack, Target Curve, and is involved in grassroots advocacy efforts to push for meaningful AI governance.
Andrea
Founder & CEO, ControlAI · UK
Andrea is the founder and CEO of ControlAI, a non-profit dedicated to mitigating risks from powerful AI systems. Under his leadership, ControlAI has briefed over 200 lawmakers on AI risks and secured support from over 100 UK parliamentarians. His work has been featured in TIME, The Guardian, Nature, and BBC.
Ben
German entrepreneur, AI consultant, and community builder · Germany
“I joined TBC to connect with people who are driven by purpose, not prestige — those building things that matter and challenging how change happens.”
Ben Balde is a German entrepreneur, AI consultant, and community builder passionate about civic innovation and digital transformation. As founder of GeoMesh, a startup modernizing public sector software, and an active participant in political lobbying efforts, he bridges technology, policy, and creativity to drive meaningful change.
“I joined TBC to work with a community that tries to approach AI risk with wisdom, humanistic values, and courage. To grow as a person and do real work toward a beautiful future.”
Benjamin is a PhD student in Bioinformatics at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg with a Master in Computer Science and Co-lead of PauseAI Germany.
Bisesh
Research Assistant · UNSW · Australia
“I joined TBC out of concern for the impact of existing AI development on our social and economic structures.”
Bisesh is a Research Assistant at the University of New South Wales and serves as the Editor for Issue 48(4) of the UNSW Law Journal, themed 'Artificial Intelligence and the Law'.
David
Maths teacher · Director of mathematics · Australia
“I joined TBC because this group is treating the threat from AI with the seriousness that it deserves and has a credible strategy to help the young people I teach avoid this threat.”
David is an Australian maths teacher and director of mathematics in a public school for year 11s and 12s. He is grateful to be living in the future and wants his students to get to live there, too.
Julie
Attorney · AI & the law · USA
“I joined because we can't wait one more minute; we need AI regulation now.”
Attorney working at the intersection of AI & the law.
Kathleen
Marketing copywriter · USA
“I joined TBC because unaccountable tech companies shouldn't be able to put humanity at risk from creations we didn't consent to and they can't control.”
Kathleen is a marketing copywriter in the tech industry. She's been helping raise awareness about AI risk since 2023.
Kevin
AI safety scout & advocate · USA
“I joined Torchbearer because, as a father, I could not stand by while our ability to build powerful AI outpaced our wisdom to understand and control it. It is a privilege to contribute my technical background to this focused community of diverse and brilliant people as we work to secure a safe future for the next generation.”
AI safety scout and advocate with a background in computer science and engineering.
Luke
Senior Lecturer · University of Edinburgh · UK
“So many of the problems we face are caused by a lack of coordination, and the threat of superintelligence is no different. I joined Torchbearer as it offers the hope of coordinating around core humanist values to tackle these problems.”
Luke McNally is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, where he researches AI safety and develops AI applications to enhance student learning. Luke has also worked as a Resident Data Scientist at Nesta, where he developed prototypes of an AI powered evidence synthesis system for policy research.
Mateo
AI Engineer · Colombia
“We now have the means to build a better world; we need humility and cooperation.”
Mateo is a self-taught developer and cognitive-behavioral technician who believes AI should benefit everyone. He wants to help build better economic, governance, and educational systems to address the polycrisis — many global problems come from poor coordination, misaligned incentives, and excessive individualism. He values epistemic humility, collaboration, and learning from others.
Michael
Marketing entrepreneur · USA
“I joined TBC to take action to address the existential risk posed by artificial superintelligence.”
Michael lives in Austin Texas, where he is launching a marketing company. Michael enjoys listening to audiobooks and playing video games.
Nicole
Art Director · Germany
“A handful of companies are reshaping how we work and live, and it shouldn't be their call alone. I joined TBC because it offers a plan to coordinate around shared humanist values and tackle those threats.”
Nicole is an art director working at the intersection of design and technology, with a path through computer science and UI/UX before specializing in art direction. She designed this website.
United States · 5
“Public understanding creates the political pressure necessary for meaningful action. That's what Torchbearer is about - bringing people together to stay informed, raise awareness, and ensure everyday citizens have a real voice in shaping AI's future.”
Alon is an AI safety educator and advocate based in Seattle. After eight years as an engineer at Google, he turned his focus to helping the public understand and engage with the rapid pace of AI development. He runs public AI safety workshops, writes about AI risks on his Substack, Target Curve, and is involved in grassroots advocacy efforts to push for meaningful AI governance.
“I joined because we can't wait one more minute; we need AI regulation now.”
Attorney working at the intersection of AI & the law.
“I joined TBC because unaccountable tech companies shouldn't be able to put humanity at risk from creations we didn't consent to and they can't control.”
Kathleen is a marketing copywriter in the tech industry. She's been helping raise awareness about AI risk since 2023.
“I joined Torchbearer because, as a father, I could not stand by while our ability to build powerful AI outpaced our wisdom to understand and control it. It is a privilege to contribute my technical background to this focused community of diverse and brilliant people as we work to secure a safe future for the next generation.”
AI safety scout and advocate with a background in computer science and engineering.
“I joined TBC to take action to address the existential risk posed by artificial superintelligence.”
Michael lives in Austin Texas, where he is launching a marketing company. Michael enjoys listening to audiobooks and playing video games.
United Kingdom · 2
Andrea is the founder and CEO of ControlAI, a non-profit dedicated to mitigating risks from powerful AI systems. Under his leadership, ControlAI has briefed over 200 lawmakers on AI risks and secured support from over 100 UK parliamentarians. His work has been featured in TIME, The Guardian, Nature, and BBC.
“So many of the problems we face are caused by a lack of coordination, and the threat of superintelligence is no different. I joined Torchbearer as it offers the hope of coordinating around core humanist values to tackle these problems.”
Luke McNally is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, where he researches AI safety and develops AI applications to enhance student learning. Luke has also worked as a Resident Data Scientist at Nesta, where he developed prototypes of an AI powered evidence synthesis system for policy research.
Germany · 3
“I joined TBC to connect with people who are driven by purpose, not prestige — those building things that matter and challenging how change happens.”
Ben Balde is a German entrepreneur, AI consultant, and community builder passionate about civic innovation and digital transformation. As founder of GeoMesh, a startup modernizing public sector software, and an active participant in political lobbying efforts, he bridges technology, policy, and creativity to drive meaningful change.
“I joined TBC to work with a community that tries to approach AI risk with wisdom, humanistic values, and courage. To grow as a person and do real work toward a beautiful future.”
Benjamin is a PhD student in Bioinformatics at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg with a Master in Computer Science and Co-lead of PauseAI Germany.
“A handful of companies are reshaping how we work and live, and it shouldn't be their call alone. I joined TBC because it offers a plan to coordinate around shared humanist values and tackle those threats.”
Nicole is an art director working at the intersection of design and technology, with a path through computer science and UI/UX before specializing in art direction. She designed this website.
Australia · 2
“I joined TBC out of concern for the impact of existing AI development on our social and economic structures.”
Bisesh is a Research Assistant at the University of New South Wales and serves as the Editor for Issue 48(4) of the UNSW Law Journal, themed 'Artificial Intelligence and the Law'.
“I joined TBC because this group is treating the threat from AI with the seriousness that it deserves and has a credible strategy to help the young people I teach avoid this threat.”
David is an Australian maths teacher and director of mathematics in a public school for year 11s and 12s. He is grateful to be living in the future and wants his students to get to live there, too.
Colombia · 1
“We now have the means to build a better world; we need humility and cooperation.”
Mateo is a self-taught developer and cognitive-behavioral technician who believes AI should benefit everyone. He wants to help build better economic, governance, and educational systems to address the polycrisis — many global problems come from poor coordination, misaligned incentives, and excessive individualism. He values epistemic humility, collaboration, and learning from others.
Legend
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Are you ready to carry the torch?
Members come from every discipline. The common thread is taking the work seriously.
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