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Joscha Bach on Epstein Funding and Regrets

Source: zeit.de

TL;DR

Joscha Bach received funding from Jeffrey Epstein for U.S. research from 2013 to 2019 and addresses his mentions in Epstein files.
Bach knew of Epstein's 2008 conviction for paying for sex with a minor but accepted funding after advice from scientists like Marvin Minsky.
Bach now regrets not weighing ethical concerns more, though no legal allegations against him have emerged.

The story at a glance

Cognitive scientist Joscha Bach explains in a Die Zeit interview his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, who funded his U.S. research stay from 2013 to 2019 despite Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from minors. Bach visited Epstein's island and attended his scientist meetups but saw no illegal activity. The interview follows Bach's recent statement on his mentions in newly released Epstein files.

Key points

Epstein funded Bach's research after recommendations from AI experts Ben Goertzel, Roger Schank, and Stephen Kosslyn, as AI was unfunded in Germany.
Bach consulted MIT and Harvard scientists like Marvin Minsky and Noam Chomsky, who assured him Epstein had reformed post-conviction and supported science.
Bach describes Epstein as shameless, without inhibitions, viewing some people as inferior and fearing control by women.
During talks, Epstein seemed unaware of his sociopathic traits; Bach noted disrespectful behavior toward adult women employees but no new crimes.
Bach visited Epstein's island with a science foundation director's family; the "temple" was just a library with a piano, amid no questionable activity.
Epstein hosted diverse scientists like Larry Summers, Terence Tao, and George Church at regular meetups for open discussions.
Bach's 2007 dissertation on AI and the mind lacked other funding options; he rejected military research for ethical reasons.

Details and context

Bach's research combined AI, cognitive science, philosophy, and psychology, but German funding favored neuroscience and dismissed computational approaches. He faced a choice between startups or Epstein's support for a family move to the U.S., where postdoc pay wouldn't suffice.

Epstein targeted "unusual" scientists like historical figures John von Neumann or Alan Turing, who often struggled in modern academia due to nonconformity. His events mixed fields and ideologies, from linguists to Trump advisor Steve Bannon.

Bach stresses he saw no signs of Epstein's later crimes and would have cut ties if he had; post-2019 arrests shocked him.

Key quotes

"Epstein’s crimes are unforgivable and inexcusable." — Joscha Bach
"I should have given more consideration to my ethical concerns." — Joscha Bach (in statement to Die Zeit)

Why it matters

Epstein's funding reached top scientists despite his crimes, raising questions about ethics in academia and donor influence. Readers in science or AI should note how funding gaps push researchers toward controversial backers, as Bach weighed career needs against risks. Watch for further Epstein file releases, though no charges against Bach are reported.