A Glimpse into the Past: The St. Thomas Common Sense Symposium and Its Unsettling Connection
Twenty-three years ago, a small group of artificial intelligence pioneers received an invitation to a conference in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The event, known as the St. Thomas Common Sense Symposium, was funded by an anonymous benefactor who remained largely unknown at the time. However, it has since come to light that this mysterious sponsor was none other than Jeffrey Epstein, a financier later convicted of child sex offenses.
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The symposium took place in April 2002 and lasted three days. Attendees included some of the most influential minds in AI, such as Benjamin Kuipers, Mary Shepherd, and Marvin Minsky. What initially seemed like a gathering of intellectuals turned out to be part of a larger, more troubling narrative involving Epstein’s criminal activities.
Recollections from the Symposium
Benjamin Kuipers, a retired computer scientist from the University of Michigan, shared his experience with Raw Story. He expressed deep regret upon learning of Epstein’s connection to the event. “It was very disturbing when I first discovered that there was that connection, and I wish it had never happened,” he said.
Mary Shepherd, owner of Cycorp, an AI company, also attended the symposium. She recalled visiting Epstein’s private island, Little St. James, during the event. “There was a really strange vibe when I was there,” she said. Shepherd described a moment where she encountered Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, along with two teenage girls. She assumed they were Maxwell’s children based on their interaction.
Shepherd and her late husband, Doug Lenat, declined an investment offer from Epstein. “I don’t like him. There’s something wrong with him,” she said. “He’s a wheeler-dealer, and he’s not the kind of person we want to be representing our technology.”
The Atmosphere and Activities
Kuipers and others described the symposium as a mix of intellectual discussion and social events. Epstein, who was present throughout the event, appeared to be a regular sponsor. “It was clear he had a number of attractive young women around,” Kuipers noted. However, he did not believe any of them were underage at the time.
During the symposium, attendees were taken on a boat to Epstein’s island for a barbecue. One attendee, who chose to remain anonymous, recalled being brought to the island but not entering any buildings. Kuipers confirmed that the visit was brief, with attendees returning to St. Thomas after the banquet.
The Aftermath and Reflections
In the years following the symposium, the nature of Epstein’s activities became increasingly clear. His arrest in 2019 and subsequent suicide brought attention to the many people who had interacted with him. For those who attended the event, the revelation was both shocking and unsettling.
Shepherd reflected on the experience, saying, “Things just did not seem right.” She felt uncomfortable and left the island with Minsky and his wife. “I didn’t report anything because it was just a feeling,” she admitted.
Kuipers, on the other hand, viewed the event as a normal academic gathering. “Here was this rich guy, and he wanted to hold a conference… bringing together a whole bunch of people that I knew quite well,” he said. “Of course, a couple decades later, it became clear why not.”
Personal Accounts and Impact
Other attendees, such as Aaron Sloman, a philosopher and AI researcher, also shared their experiences. Sloman traveled to the event on a private jet owned by Epstein and recalled the lavish accommodations. However, he noted that the symposium itself did not have a significant impact on his work.
Sloman also mentioned that Epstein seemed interested in AI and its potential applications. “He was eccentric. If he had an interesting conversation with a scientist or liked them, he’d ask them what they would do if they had more funding,” he said.
Another attendee described Epstein as “like an ADHD curious kid.” He was known for asking both technical and personal questions, which often left others puzzled.
The Broader Implications
The symposium remains a subject of interest, particularly given the recent revelations about Epstein’s activities. While some attendees recall the event as a positive experience, others now view it through a different lens. The connection between a major figure in AI and a notorious criminal raises important questions about the ethical responsibilities of those involved in such gatherings.
As the story continues to unfold, the symposium serves as a reminder of how past events can take on new significance in light of future developments. For those who attended, the experience is now intertwined with the broader narrative of Epstein’s life and legacy.
