The St. Thomas Common Sense Symposium and the Unseen Connection
Twenty-three years ago, a group of artificial intelligence pioneers received an invitation to a conference in the Caribbean, hosted by an anonymous benefactor described as “some rich guy.” What none of them could have predicted was that this mysterious sponsor would later become one of the most infamous figures in American history — Jeffrey Epstein.
The event, known as the St. Thomas Common Sense Symposium, took place in April 2002 on the U.S. Virgin Islands. It brought together some of the brightest minds in AI, including computer scientists, researchers, and academics. However, it has recently come under scrutiny after revelations that the “rich guy” who funded the conference was indeed Epstein, whose name is now synonymous with child exploitation and sex trafficking.
A Disturbing Revelation
Among those who attended the symposium were Benjamin Kuipers, a retired computer scientist from the University of Michigan, and Mary Shepherd, an owner of Cycorp, an AI company. Both shared their experiences with Raw Story, revealing for the first time how they had never spoken about the event publicly before.
Kuipers said he was “very disturbed” when he learned of the connection between the symposium and Epstein. “I wish it had never happened,” he told the outlet. Shepherd echoed similar sentiments, stating that she had not known about Epstein’s activities at the time.
Shepherd and Kuipers both recalled visiting Epstein’s private island, Little St. James, which is just two miles away from St. Thomas. Kuipers described a banquet held on the beach, while another attendee, who chose to remain anonymous, remembered being taken by boat for a barbecue on the island.
A Strange Vibe
Shepherd recounted her visit to the island, where she was accompanied by her late husband, Doug Lenat, and Marvin Minsky, a renowned cognitive scientist who passed away in 2016. She recalled that upon arriving, she needed to use the restroom, and during her brief stay in the building, she encountered Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, along with two teenage girls whom she assumed were Maxwell’s children.
“I thought they were her kids because of the way they interacted,” she said. Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in Epstein’s crimes, was central to the scandal that unfolded years later.
Shepherd described the atmosphere on the island as “really strange.” She felt uncomfortable and left with Minsky and his wife shortly after arriving. She did not report anything at the time, but she later declined an investment offer from Epstein.
A Different Perspective
While some attendees reported seeing Epstein surrounded by young women, others, like Kuipers, said they didn’t notice anything unusual. He noted that Epstein appeared to be hosting the event like any other wealthy sponsor, and he didn’t think the women around him were underage.
Kuipers also mentioned that the symposium was small, with around 20 participants, which made it more intimate and focused on meaningful discussions. He admitted that he was “completely clueless” about what was going on behind the scenes.
A Wealthy Benefactor
Epstein’s involvement in the symposium extended beyond just attending. He covered all the expenses, including accommodations, travel, and even offered rides on his private jet. Some attendees, like Aaron Sloman, a philosopher and AI researcher, traveled on Epstein’s plane from the UK.
Sloman, now 88, described the accommodations as lavish, though he said his memory of the event was somewhat hazy due to his worsening dementia. Another attendee, who wished to remain anonymous, said they stayed in a nice hotel on St. Thomas.
A Meeting of Minds
Despite the controversy that has since surrounded the event, many of the attendees said the symposium itself had little impact on their work. Shepherd, for instance, expressed disappointment, saying it didn’t live up to the hype.
Sloman also noted that Epstein didn’t seem to be deeply involved in the discussions about AI or cognitive science. Instead, he believed Epstein was more interested in using the technology for financial gain. “It could explain his motivation for spending so much money to bring people to the symposium,” Sloman wrote.
An Eccentric Figure
One attendee described Epstein as “like an ADHD curious kid.” He was eccentric and often asked scientists technical questions followed by personal ones, which some found odd. Despite this, Epstein was known to be genuinely interested in AI and had a particular fondness for Marvin Minsky.
A Legacy of Controversy
In the years following the symposium, the events surrounding Epstein became increasingly public. His death in 2019 and the subsequent legal battles have shed light on the dark underbelly of his life. For those who attended the symposium, the revelation of his true nature has been a sobering reminder of how easily the line between wealth and corruption can blur.
As the story continues to unfold, the symposium serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of associating with powerful individuals without fully understanding their motives.
