Epstein funded Hong Kong AI research through disgraced financier's grants

Jeffrey Epstein provided financial backing to artificial intelligence researcher Ben Goertzel, helping him secure at least HK$8.9 million (approximately $1.14 million) in grants from the Hong Kong government, according to emails released by the US Department of Justice and reported by the South China Morning Post on Monday. The support enabled Goertzel to meet eligibility requirements for public research funding while working in Hong Kong during the 2010s.

Funding Channeled Through Non-Profit

Between 2010 and 2015, Epstein channeled at least $113,000 through the US non-profit Humanity+, which was then transferred to Novamente, a company owned by Goertzel. This allowed Novamente to serve as the required "industry sponsor" for projects applying to Hong Kong's Innovation and Technology Fund, which requires 10% of total project costs from sponsors. Three Hong Kong Polytechnic University projects backed by Novamente received HK$8.9 million between 2010 and 2016.

Emails Reveal Ongoing Appeals

Goertzel repeatedly sought Epstein's financial help to meet sponsorship requirements. In a 2011 message, he wrote: "Let me know if you're game to donate the additional $10K. If not, I will explore other options... I really can't afford $10K personally right now." In 2015, amid renewed scrutiny of Epstein's offences, an assistant initially suspended funding "due to the current environment." Goertzel responded: "I have seen the spate of utterly idiotic negative publicity in the news, and I'm sorry you guys have to deal with that." Epstein authorized the transfer later that day.

Regret and Rationalization

Goertzel, known for his work on artificial general intelligence and as chief scientist at Hanson Robotics—creators of the humanoid robot Sophia—expressed regret to the Post. "Looking back, I regret knowing the guy, or taking his money, or having anything to do with the guy," he said, adding: "The reason any scientist dealt with Jeffrey Epstein was very simple – getting research money is hard. Particularly back at that time... getting research money for [artificial general intelligence] was almost impossible. When your research has essentially no funding, it's hard to say no." Communication continued until roughly a year before Epstein's 2019 arrest and subsequent