Aaron Roberts

Background

About Aaron Roberts

I am a philosopher, policy researcher, and ethicist dedicated to ensuring that AI and other transformative technologies are governed in ways that serve humanity and the biosphere sustainably. My work sits at the intersection of ethics, technology, and societal transformation, driven by the question: as our understanding of the world evolves, how must our values, decisions, and governance structures adapt? With expertise in policy and governance for AI, synthetic biology, and global health technologies, I specialize in analyzing emerging risks and designing ethical, policy-driven solutions. Most recently, I worked as a Research Associate at the Institute on Ethics & Policy for Innovation (IEPI) at McMaster University, providing high-level ethics consultation and policy research on AI, biotechnology, and global health technologies. I have led interdisciplinary research initiatives, conducted in-depth policy analyses, and advised international stakeholders on the governance of novel technologies. My contributions to AI governance are already gaining recognition. My final project for BlueDot Impact’s AI Governance course—selected as one of three Outstanding Governance Projects from nearly 200 submissions—examined governance parallels between gain-of-function virology research and AI model red teaming, extracting regulatory lessons to mitigate AI risks. This cross-disciplinary approach infuses my work: I leverage ethical, historical, and technical insights to build governance frameworks that anticipate and mitigate risk. Beyond research, I have shaped policy at an international level, contributing to IUCN’s Res 123 Policy on Synthetic Biology in Relation to Nature Conservation and serving on McMaster University’s Senate, Research Ethics Board, and the Board of Directors of the Canadian Bioethics Society. I have presented at leading global forums, including UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) proceedings, advised on OECD biotech policy development, and participated in a closed expert workshop with Bill Gates on malaria eradication strategies. An accomplished researcher and policy thinker, I have published in peer-reviewed journals, co-authored global governance documents, and contributed to bioethics scholarship through book chapters and policy white papers. I bring deep ethical expertise, a track record of policy influence, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that AI development aligns with societal values, and the flourishing of present and future generations and the biosphere.