Brazilian-American AI researcher, CEO of SingularityNET, and one of the foremost figures in artificial general intelligence (AGI) research. Born December 8, 1966, in Rio de Janeiro, Goertzel earned a PhD in mathematics from Temple University at age 23. He received direct salary funding from the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation, with a deleted 2002 CV acknowledging $100,000 in Epstein research funding.
His OpenCog Foundation - an open-source AGI project based in Hong Kong - received ongoing Epstein funding, which Goertzel publicly acknowledged in his 2014 book 'Engineering General Intelligence': 'Jeffrey Epstein, whose visionary funding of my AGI research has helped me through a number of tight spots over the years.' In 2009, Goertzel introduced Epstein to University of Tennessee professor Itamar Arel, and the two prepared a $3 million 'robotic AGI toddler' proposal for the Epstein Foundation in March 2010, aiming to 'create an AGI system with the rough general intelligence of a human 3-4 year old child, demonstrated via embodiment in virtual world characters and humanoid robots.' Goertzel also proposed that Epstein fund a $50 million Israeli scholarship program in 2014. As Chief Scientist at Hanson Robotics (2015-2019), he led development of Sophia the Robot, which incorporated facial recognition technology from the Epstein-funded DeSTIN project. Goertzel also helped Epstein establish the Addis AI Lab in Ethiopia through the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation and OpenCog.
In 2019, following Epstein's arrest, Goertzel emailed the New York Times claiming: 'The stuff I'm reading about him in the papers is pretty disturbing,' distancing himself despite over a decade of financial ties. Documents from DOJ Data Set 9 (EFTA00700552) contain correspondence related to the robot toddler proposal.
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Ben Goertzel is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Ben Goertzel (born December 8, 1966, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a Brazilian-American artificial intelligence researcher who has been a central figure in the field of artificial general intelligence (AGI). He earned a PhD in mathematics from Temple University and has held leadership positions at multiple AI organizations, including CEO of SingularityNET, Chairman of the OpenCog Foundation and the Artificial General Intelligence Society, and Chief Scientist at Hanson Robotics (2015-2019). He is identified as the primary originator of the CogPrime AI design and the OpenCog open-source AGI framework, which evolved from earlier work at Intelligenesis Corp., Webmind Inc., and Novamente LLC.
Goertzel's academic and research career intersected extensively with Jeffrey Epstein's philanthropic activities in AI and science. He is described in multiple DOJ and EFTA documents as a direct recipient of Epstein Foundation funding, including a $100,000 salary payment. He co-authored a $3 million AGI research proposal for the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation and maintained regular email correspondence with Epstein from at least 2009 through 2016. His role as vice chairman of Humanity Plus and his leadership of the OpenCog project placed him at the nexus of Epstein's interests in transhumanism and advanced AI research.
Goertzel's published work and the documents in the Epstein case files reveal a sustained professional and financial relationship with Epstein spanning over a decade. He served as an intermediary connecting other AI researchers -- notably Itamar Arel -- to Epstein's funding network, and he regularly updated Epstein on technical progress including work on Hanson Robotics' humanoid robot systems.
Epstein Connection
Ben Goertzel had a documented, long-running financial and professional relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation paid $100,000 to fund Goertzel's salary as vice chairman of Humanity Plus, a fact reported in the New York Times and circulated in SDNY news clips. Goertzel co-authored a $3 million 'robotic AGI toddler' research proposal for the Epstein Foundation with Itamar Arel in March 2010. EFTA documents reveal extensive direct email correspondence between Goertzel and Epstein (using jeevacation@gmail.com) spanning from at least 2009 through August 2016, covering topics including funding requests, project updates on OpenCog and Hanson Robotics, scheduling of meetings and Skype calls, and introductions to other researchers. Goertzel also appeared on Epstein's extensive contact lists. Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff was copied on correspondence, indicating the relationship was managed through Epstein's formal channels.
Key Allegations(10)
The Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation paid $100,000 to fund Ben Goertzel's salary as vice chairman of Humanity Plus, according to Goertzel's own résumé.
documentedGoertzel and Itamar Arel prepared a $3 million 'robotic AGI toddler' research and development proposal for the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation, proposing to create 'an AGI system with the rough general intelligence of a human 3-4 year old child, demonstrated via embodiment in virtual world characters and humanoid robots.'
documentedGoertzel received direct salary from the Epstein Foundation and proposed additional hundreds of thousands in funding for Arel's research assistants as part of the robot toddler project.
documentedGoertzel introduced Itamar Arel to Epstein and served as an intermediary connecting AI researchers to Epstein's funding network.
documentedGoertzel maintained regular direct email correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein from at least 2009 through August 2016, including meeting coordination, funding requests, and technical project updates.
documentedGoertzel was listed among Epstein's extensive contact list of high-profile academics, tech executives, and political figures.
documentedGoertzel sent Epstein a funding request in April 2009, to which Epstein responded 'Send 5k.'
documentedGoertzel provided Epstein with updates on OpenCog reasoning integrated into the Hanson Robot in August 2016.
documentedGoertzel facilitated a meeting between Epstein and Jim Rutt (described as 'Ben Goertzel's friend') in April 2016, including a scheduled Skype call.
documentedLegal Status
Ben Goertzel appears in numerous DOJ and EFTA documents as a funding recipient of the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation and a regular correspondent of Jeffrey Epstein. He has not been charged with or accused of any criminal activity. His appearance in the case files relates to his financial and professional relationship with Epstein.
Notable Statements(4)
“Epstein's foundation, which is now defunct, also gave $100,000 to pay the salary of Ben Goertzel, vice chairman of Humanity Plus, according to Mr. Goertzel's résumé.”
“Send 5k”
“Hi Jeffrey, Great! I want to see the deception character”
“OpenCog reasoning on the Hanson Robot”
Contradictions(2)
Following Epstein's 2019 arrest, Goertzel reportedly distanced himself from Epstein, telling the New York Times that the information in the papers about Epstein was 'pretty disturbing.'
EFTA documents reveal continuous direct email correspondence between Goertzel and Epstein from at least 2009 through August 2016, covering funding, meetings, project updates, and introductions -- indicating a deeply embedded, decade-long financial and professional relationship, not a casual or limited association.
Goertzel's role is presented in some contexts as that of an independent academic researcher who merely received standard philanthropic funding.
The documentary record shows Goertzel actively solicited funding from Epstein, introduced other researchers to Epstein's funding network, coordinated meetings between Epstein and third parties (such as Jim Rutt), sent direct project updates to Epstein, and had his correspondence managed through Epstein's personal assistant Lesley Groff -- indicating a much more active and integrated relationship than passive grant receipt.
Key Relationships(6)
Goertzel received $100,000 salary funding from the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation and co-authored a $3 million AGI proposal for the Foundation. Extensive direct email correspondence from 2009-2016 documented across dozens of EFTA records.
Itamar Arel co-organized the 2008 AGI Roadmap Workshop with Goertzel and was designated as primary investigator on the $3 million robot toddler proposal that Goertzel proposed to the Epstein Foundation. Goertzel introduced Arel to Epstein's funding network.
Lesley Groff, Epstein's executive assistant, was copied on Goertzel's correspondence with Epstein and managed scheduling for their interactions, as documented in multiple EFTA emails.
Email correspondence references Hanson Robotics in connection with Goertzel and Epstein, including an article draft cc'ing Epstein and Goertzel's August 2016 update to Epstein on OpenCog reasoning on the Hanson Robot.
Seth Lloyd appears in 22 shared documents with Goertzel, both being Epstein-funded scientists featured in the same SDNY news clips and Epstein contact lists.
Martin Nowak appears in 17 shared documents with Goertzel, both being Epstein-funded academics featured in overlapping SDNY news coverage.
Timeline(22 events)
Goertzel co-organizes the AGI Roadmap Workshop at the University of Knoxville with Itamar Arel, establishing the academic framework that would later inform the Epstein-funded robot toddler proposal.
Goertzel emails Epstein (jeevacation@gmail.com) regarding school lectures; Epstein responds directing 'Send 5k.'
Jeffrey Epstein emails Goertzel directly.
Goertzel and Itamar Arel submit a $3 million 'robotic AGI toddler' research proposal to the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation, with Arel as primary investigator and Goertzel funded via Epstein salary.
Goertzel sends Epstein an 'OpenCog Recap' email; Epstein leaves voicemail in response.
Epstein emails Goertzel ('bring me'); Goertzel replies same day with attachments including 'BBM TOC.pdf.'
Goertzel emails Epstein, cc'ing Lesley Groff.
Scheduling note indicates Goertzel will be in Maryland from Dec. 18, 2012 to Jan. 15, 2013 and wishes to meet.
Jeffrey Epstein emails Goertzel.
Jeffrey Epstein emails Goertzel with subject 'why.'
Jeffrey Epstein sends follow-up email to Goertzel.
Goertzel publishes AGI research paper with Cassio Pennachin and Nil Geisweiller.
Epstein's office schedules a Skype call between Goertzel and Epstein at 10am Eastern.
Goertzel emails Epstein expressing interest in seeing 'the deception character'; Epstein emails Goertzel same day with subject 'i want.'
Jeffrey Epstein emails Goertzel from jeevacation@gmail.com.
Goertzel coordinates a meeting between Jeffrey Epstein and Jim Rutt (described as 'Ben Goertzel's friend'), including a 5pm Skype call. Jim Rutt 'has accepted your name.'
Benjamin Goertzel and Jim Rutt plan to be available April 18-28 for meetings with Epstein in Southern California.
Goertzel emails about scheduling availability; Epstein responds 'Great!!!'
Email chain with subject 'Jeffrey Epstein' involving Goertzel and cc'ing Joscha Bach; response reads 'Excellent. Thanks.'
Epstein emails Goertzel from jeevacation@gmail.com.
Goertzel emails Epstein with subject 'OpenCog reasoning on the Hanson Robot,' providing a technical update on AI integration with the humanoid robot platform.
SDNY news clips circulate New York Times article reporting that Epstein's defunct foundation gave $100,000 to pay Goertzel's salary as vice chairman of Humanity Plus, based on Goertzel's own résumé.
At a Glance
Click values for sourcesSources
1 source for document mentions
EFTA00700552 - Goertzel-Arel 'Robot Toddler' AGI Proposal for Epstein Foundation
2010-03-01
“DOJ-released document from Data Set 9 containing the draft research and development proposal prepare”
Sources
1 source for known connections
Co-Document Mentions
“Named alongside other network members in 2 documents”
Activity Timeline
Known Connections (2)
External Cross-Check
Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts
Document Mentions
Email Mentions (5)
contacts
edelman, set martin, tata, susskind, strominger, rynolds. kosslyn, krause, gardner. bill thiel. hoffman, sinofsky, nathan feigenbaum, ramachandrain ,
contacts
edelman, set martin, tata, susskind, strominger, rynolds. kosslyn, krause, gardner. bill thiel. hoffman, sinofsky, nathan feigenbaum, ramachandrain ,
contacts
edelman, set martin, tata, susskind, strominger, rynolds. kosslyn, krause, gardner. bill thiel. hoffman, sinofsky, nathan feigenbaum, ramachandrain ,
contacts
edelman, set martin, tata, susskind, strominger, rynolds. kosslyn, krause, gardner. bill thiel. hoffman, sinofsky, nathan feigenbaum, ramachandrain ,
contacts
edelman, set martin, tata, susskind, strominger, rynolds. kosslyn, krause, gardner. bill thiel. hoffman, sinofsky, nathan feigenbaum, ramachandrain ,
Schedule (6)
2012-01-15 to 2016-07-21 · 3 entries verified across multiple documents
Appt w/Ben Goertzel
Appointment with Ben Goertzel
Appointment with Ben Goertzel
Appt with Ben Goertzel
Meeting with Ehud, Ben Goertzel, Joscha Bach plus 7 more
Ehud, Ben Goertzel, Joscha Bach plus 7 more in the afternoon (11 total including JE)
Financial Flows (1)
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