This partnership will advance public understanding of AI safety, led by Nobel Laureate Geoffrey Hinton and supported by Manulife's commitment to Responsible AI
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TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife is proud to announce its role as presenting sponsor of The Hinton Lectures™, an annual series dedicated to advancing public understanding and scientific discourse around the safety of artificial intelligence. The lectures are named after Nobel Laureate Professor Geoffrey Hinton, a renowned AI expert, and will be held in Toronto this November.
Through this sponsorship, Manulife advances its commitment to the ethical and responsible use of AI, guided by its Responsible AI Principles and the technology's potential to drive meaningful, long-term benefits for society. These principles empower the company to deliver value from AI for its customers, colleagues, and society. As the AI landscape evolves, Manulife will continue to refine its principles in response to industry developments and emerging regulations.
"Our support for The Hinton Lectures™ reflects Manulife's deep commitment to advancing responsible AI," said Jodie Wallis, Manulife's Global Chief AI Officer. "As AI continues to evolve rapidly, we believe it's critical to invest in initiatives that promote responsible development and safety. This sponsorship reflects our values and our belief in the importance of informed public dialogue around AI risks."
The Hinton Lectures™ are hosted by Professor Hinton and feature world-leading experts in AI safety. This year's lecturer is Owain Evans, a globally recognized authority on AI alignment and existential risk. The lecture series will take place November 10-12, 2025, at the John W. H. Bassett Theatre in Toronto. The events are open to the public and will also be livestreamed.
"AI is now transforming the world in remarkable ways, and as we build more powerful systems, it's very important we figure out how to keep them safe," said Professor Geoffrey Hinton. "The Hinton Lectures™ aim to raise awareness and foster serious discussion about how we can ensure AI benefits humanity rather than harms it. I'm grateful to Manulife for supporting this important work."
Earlier this year, Manulife was ranked first in the life insurance sector for AI maturity in the inaugural Evident AI Index for Insurance, ranking in the top five across the insurance industry overall, and is one of only three companies to rank in the top 10 in every category measured. More information on Manulife's AI progress can be found on Manulife.com/AI.
The public can register for tickets or the livestream online at HintonLectures.com. The event is organized by the AI Safety Foundation, and presented alongside the Global Risk Institute.
Caution regarding forward-looking statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbour" provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to Manulife's use of its digital capabilities, including AI-enabled tools, and the expected benefits from AI. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include but are not limited to general business and economic conditions; changes in laws and regulations with respect to the use of AI-enabled tools; our ability to execute our digital plans and to deploy future digital use cases; our ability to adapt products and services to the changing market; our ability to attract and retain key employees; and our ability to protect our intellectual property and exposure to claims of infringement from others. Additional information about material risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations may be found in our most recent annual and interim reports and elsewhere in our filings with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators.
The forward-looking statements in this document are, unless otherwise indicated, stated as of the date hereof. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law
About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping our customers make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice and insurance for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2024, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 109,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 36 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong.
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