How the Flourishing AI Benchmark Aims to Align AI With Human Values
The rise of AI has brought an urgent question to the forefront: Is artificial intelligence aligned with human values? In 2025, this concern is more critical than ever—and Pat Gelsinger, former Intel CEO, is taking a bold step to address it. After retiring from a four-decade career in semiconductors, Gelsinger has partnered with Gloo, a “faith tech” company he’s been involved with for over a decade, to launch the flourishing AI benchmark. This initiative evaluates how well large language models (LLMs) support human well-being by focusing on core aspects of human life such as relationships, mental health, and purpose. The benchmark is rooted in the Global Flourishing Study, a collaboration between Harvard and Baylor University, and signals a new direction in AI safety—one grounded not just in technical performance, but in meaningful human outcomes.
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Why the Flourishing AI Benchmark Stands Out in 2025
Unlike traditional AI benchmarks that focus on accuracy, logic, or factual correctness, the flourishing AI benchmark brings a values-based lens to model evaluation. Gloo adapted six key domains from the Global Flourishing Study—Character and Virtue, Close Social Relationships, Happiness and Life Satisfaction, Meaning and Purpose, Mental and Physical Health, and Financial and Material Stability—and added a seventh category: Faith and Spirituality. These dimensions offer a holistic view of human flourishing. AI models are then assessed based on how their responses reflect or support these principles. The goal is to shift the development of AI systems from narrow task completion toward enriching human lives. In today’s fast-paced AI race, where companies often prioritize capabilities over consequences, Gelsinger’s approach represents a significant philosophical shift.
Pat Gelsinger’s Vision: Tech With Soul
Gelsinger isn’t new to this intersection of technology and ethics. “I’ve lived at the intersection of faith and tech my entire life,” he shared in an interview. His work with Gloo and the flourishing AI benchmark brings that ethos to the heart of AI innovation. At a time when AI systems influence everything from education to employment, Gelsinger argues that we need tools to evaluate whether these systems truly contribute to our collective well-being. The benchmark is designed not just for academic or theoretical use—it’s meant to be practical and actionable for AI developers, researchers, and policy-makers. By providing a structured way to measure alignment with human-centric values, the flourishing AI benchmark helps close the gap between high-tech ambition and ethical responsibility.
The Future of AI Alignment: A Flourishing Standard?
As debates around AI regulation and ethics continue to escalate, the flourishing AI benchmark arrives at a pivotal moment. Its emphasis on human flourishing aligns with a growing demand for AI that not only performs well but also behaves responsibly. Tech leaders, governments, and research institutions are now exploring ways to embed this benchmark into their development workflows and accountability frameworks. While it's still early days, Gelsinger’s project may become a cornerstone in how we measure AI alignment in the future. The broader implication is clear: AI should serve humanity—not just in efficiency or productivity, but in nurturing what makes life meaningful. As we look toward more intelligent and autonomous systems, benchmarks like this will be essential for ensuring that progress doesn’t come at the cost of our shared values.
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